The HCG Diet is a result-driven diet that has been popular for many years. You can reap the most benefits from the diet if you follow it strictly. The protocol will require you to have your daily HCG shot and restrict your calorie intake to only 500 calories a day. You can have lunch and dinner every day, but only foods on the approved list can be consumed during these two meals.
Each food item listed on the diet list is low in calories, sugar-free, and contains the least possible amount of fat. Foods not on the list should not be part of the diet as they can affect the weight loss result. Counting calories is then necessary in order to follow the diet properly.
What exactly can you eat while on the HCG Diet?
Breakfast
No solid foods are allowed before lunch so breakfast is optional. You can have a cup of your morning coffee or tea with 1 tablespoon of non-fat milk and Stevia as a sweetener.
Lunch and dinner: meat
You get most of your calories from lunch and dinner. Both meals provided a small number of carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and 100 grams of lean, fat-free proteins. Chicken breast, veal, white fish, beef, shrimp, crab, and lobster are all fine. Fatty choices like tuna, salmon, herring, and eel are off-limit. Weight the food while it is raw, remove all fat visible, and boil or grill the food. You can occasionally replace meat with eggs or low-fat cottage cheese.
Lunch and dinner: vegetables
For lunch and dinner, you can have one low-calorie vegetable. Asparagus, beet greens, celery, chard, chicory, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, fennel, red radishes, and spinach are among the options. Most of the allowed vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients especially useful on such a restricted diet. Spinach, for instance, is full of fiber, vitamin A, C, iron, and even protein. You should not top vegetables with oil, butter, or sauce.
Lunch and dinner: carbohydrates
With lunch and dinner, you may eat a piece of Melba toast or one breadstick. Both are healthy choices since they contain no sodium, fat, or cholesterol. They are also low in calories-approximately 12 calories per serving. With each 250-calorie meal, you can also get a choice of fruit- apple, orange, half a grapefruit, or a handful of strawberries are some choices.
On beverages
The only drinks allowed are coffee, tea, and water. There is no limit on the amount of coffee or tea you can drink. On water intake, the recommended amount is 2 liters a day. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
On seasonings
For seasonings, you can season your foods with salt, pepper, garlic, vinegar, mustard powder, thyme, parsley, and basil. Steer clear of butter, oil, and any type of dressing. On top of that, you can also use lemon juice every day.
The off-limit list
Every food item not listed on the list of approved HCG diet foods must be avoided. Chocolate, cake, ice cream, cookie, bagel, and pasta isn’t permitted.
