The holidays bring parties and dinners and celebrations and get-togethers that center around seasonal treats and traditional favorite foods, usually the most calorie-dense, fat and carb-laden treats imaginable: pies, cakes, cookies, and starchy vegetables like potatoes. It\’s difficult to curb your eating habits during the holidays when you are not on a diet, and it can be exceptionally difficult whenever you are on a reduced carb diet or Phase 3 (P3) of the HCG Diet.

Phase 3 is a critical part of the HCG diet because during Phase 3, the hypothalamus is reset, helping you to maintain the weight loss you have achieved in Phase 2. This phase is coined the stabilization phase. The rules seem simple: for 21 days immediately following the last day of Phase 2 you can eat whatever you want except sugar and starch. Avoiding sugar and starch during the holidays can be anything but simple.This can be a challenging time and your resolve will probably be tested. It will seem like everyone around you is gorging themselves on unlimited amounts of holiday treats and you might end up feeling deprived and feeling sorry for yourself. Never fear! My advice is to embrace the spirit of the season and follow these pointers:

1. Eat before going. On the day of the big celebration, make sure you have a good high-protein breakfast, so you will not be starved by the time lunch or dinner is served. My choice is a tasty omelet with veggies.

2. Be prepared. Offer to bring a dish to the celebration. Make your favorite P3 HCG diet recipe and bring it with you. If you\’re hosting the celebration, you can make as many P3-friendly dishes as you like.

3. Use caution with the alcohol. Choose straight liquors such as scotch, rye, vodka, gin, or my personal favorite, tequila. Be certain the mixer is sugarless. Seltzer and diet soda are acceptable mixers. A few glasses of wine can also be fine, as long at it\’s just a couple.

4. Be choosy. Remember, you don\’t need to have everything at the party. Choose your protein first, and then skip those choices that don\’t make the holidays special for you. In my case, cranberry sauce and eggnog are essential. I could care less about stuffing, dressing, or dessert. I make a delicious sugar free version of those two items, and fill up on the turkey or ham and green vegetables on the menu.

5. Remove leftovers immediately. You know what they say, out of sight, out of mind.

6. This goes without saying, but drink enough water.

7. And last, don\’t worry too much about what you\’ve eaten during one particular day. If you are truly sticking 90 percent to the no sugar, no starch rule, you should be fine. And if you overindulge a little and end up with gain the next day, no leftovers for you, you must do a steak day to get back in control. Gotta love Phase 3 of the HCG diet!

Toni Tanner Scott is a personal chef and cooking instructor who has had phenomenal success on the hCG diet. For more chef-tested hCG diet recipes visit

Author Bio: Toni Tanner Scott is a personal chef and cooking instructor who has had phenomenal success on the hCG diet. For more chef-tested hCG diet recipes visit HCG Diet Recipes Made Simple.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: hcg diet, hcg meal plan, hcg protocol, hcg recipes, hcg diet recipes, low carb diet