During the weight loss phase 2, you are probably wondering what your hCG diet food list will look like. Initially, Dr. Simeons, who is considered the founder and creator of the hCG diet, laid forth a diet list for anyone wanting to lose weight using either hCG drops or injections. The list was originally published during the 1950s as the ‘Dr. Simeon’s Protocol’. It remains a viable option for anyone seeking to not only lose weight but also keep it off.
The Original Simeons Dietary Plan
The original 500 calorie VLCD (very-low-calorie diet) dietary menu created by Dr. Simeons remains the benchmark for the hCG diet. Although many newer and more modern hCG dietary creations have emerged, the tried and true choices still hold considerable value. They allow a dieter to keep it simple and, in essence, return to the very basics.
When to Start the VLCD Phase
The VLCD phase usually starts on day three and continues up to day 40. During this time period, it is imperative that you follow a specific food list to achieve success with your hCG diet.
HCG Diet Food List
Here is what a typical day on the hCG diet consists of when it comes to maintaining the low-calorie diet.
Lunch: At lunch, you can choose from 3.5 ounces of chicken breast, white fish, beef, veal, crab, shrimp or lobster. Remember that when consuming the meat, you must remove all visible signs of fat. Also, ask the butcher to only provide you with lean specimens. You are not allowed to eat tuna, salmon, picked or dried fish, or eel. Some advocate of the hCG diet plan has successfully used tuna packed in water but, remember, tuna is not a part of Dr. Simeons original 500 calorie food list
During lunch, you can choose one vegetable such as cucumbers, green salad, chard spinach, chicory, beet-greens, tomatoes, celery, red radishes, asparagus, onions, fennel, and cabbage. Your carb option can consist of a melba toast cracker or a breadstick. Finally, you can add a fruit to your lunch such as a strawberry, orange, one small apple, or grapefruit.
Dinner: For dinner, you can repeat the same choices as lunch to create a low-calorie meal that also contains nutritious choices.
How to Control Cravings and Hunger
Many dieters opt to chew sugarless gum throughout the day as a way to satisfy their hunger cravings. Water throughout the day is also another option to relieve your hunger.
HCG Condiments and Additions
- Low-calorie soy saw variations
- Mustard
- Natural herbs or spices such as salt, garlic, and traditional pepper.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sweet Basil
- Parsley
- Marjoram
- The juice of a single lemon is allowed each day
According to Dr. Simeon’s low-calorie hCG diet he writes in his manuscript, “In many countries specially prepared unsweetened and low-calorie foods are freely available, and some of these can be tentatively used, the total daily intake must not exceed 500 Calories if the best possible results are to be obtained, that the daily ration should contain 200 grams of fat-free protein and a very small amount of starch.”
Strict Adherence to the hCG Diet Promises Success
The hCG food list may seem extremely strict but when followed a person can successfully lose a substantial amount of weight, curve their cravings, and even maintain their weight once they cease using the hCG drops or injections. It is extremely important that when the hCG diet food list states one small apple you only eat a small apple. You do not substitute two tiny apples to create one small apple. Allowing loopholes in your diet or altering certain items will doom you to failure.
Vegetable mixing is another problem that many people think is okay. However, you must only choose to consume one type of vegetable at each meal. You cannot create a small mix of vegetables.
In order to successfully curb your appetite, you must understand that the hCG diet food lists should also be consumed correctly to render a successful outcome. It is imperative that you eat your protein source while consuming your vegetable to attain a satisfied, full feeling. This will also provide your body with the energy that it requires to succeed in its daily tasks.
What Drinks are Allowed and What Quantities?
You might think that it’s okay to consume a variety of liquids per day when participating in the hCG diet but this is not the case. You must adhere to the plan to achieve success. You can consume tea, coffee, water, and sparkling water. You can drink these at any time during the day in any quantity. Ideally, you should drink at least two liters of water every day to satisfy your body’s needs and curb your cravings. Hydration is the key to flushing the fat out of your system.
Sources of Protein
- White Fish
- Lobster
- Crab
- Shrimp
- Extra Lean Beef
- Buffalo
- 3 Egg Whites
- Scallops
- Chicken
You can also opt to follow the expanded more modern list of protein sources:
- Cod
- Tilapia
- Crab Meat
- Flounder
- Red Snapper
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Lobster
- Shrimp
Your white fish choices can include:
- Ayr
- Ling
- Red Mullet
- Hake
- John Dory
- Catfish
- Cod
- Coley
- Rock Salmon, also known as Dogfish
- Dover Sole
- Gray Mullet
- Flounder
- Flying Fish
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Hok
- Red Fish
- Kalabasu
- Skate
- Lemon Sole
- Monk Fish
- Sea Bass
- Parrot Fish
- Plaice
- Pollack
- Pomfret
- Shark
- Red Snapper
- Whiting
- Rohu
- Sea Bream
- Tilapia
- Turbot
Cooking Considerations
You can opt to consume your veggies raw or you can cook them but you cannot use any oils to cook the veggies. You should try steaming or boiling if you do not want to eat them raw. Oils must not be used to cook meats, poultry or fish. Instead, consider baking, grilling, or broiling. If you are concerned about the meat sticking to the pan then opt to use non-stick cookware.
Vegetable Choices
When choosing vegetables for your lunch and dinner you can pick from the following:
- Beets
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Dandelion
- Cucumber
- Leeks
- Raw Kale
- Collard Greens
- Celery
- Green Peppers
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Squash
- Endives
- Radishes
How Many Vegetables
During your lunch and dinner, there is no need to consume all of your veggies at once. You can save a few celery sticks or other items to snack on throughout the day to help further curb your appetite. You can also create a small salad to enjoy in the evening or mid-afternoon if you absolutely need to snack on something. Such small tricks can help you easily feel full and make it through the day without experiencing any hunger. Drizzling your veggies with a bit of lemon juice adds flavor and can give you a bit of an energy boost.
Fruits
Unfortunately, fruits are often high in sugar and calories. This is why your choice of fruits is very limited when using the hCG diet plan. You will need to focus on only eating apples, grapefruit, oranges, and strawberries in very limited quantities. The sugar in the fruit is important to maintain your blood sugar levels while dieting but overdoing fruit consumption will raise your calorie count and spike your blood sugar. You are only allowed two servings of fruit per day. Some people opt to save their fruit for the times of day that they start craving something sweet. Popping a strawberry or munching on an apple slice might be just the pick-me-up that you need and help you get your sugar lust under control so you can go about your day without dreaming of a candy bar or cookie.
Melba Toast Cracker or Breadstick
Many people choose to save their Melba toasted cracker or breadstick as a snack during the day instead of eating it with their meals. They are a great item to curb the mid-day munchies.
The hCG diet food list is really extremely diverse and gives you ample choices to fit just about anyone’s distinct tastes. It is relatively uncomplicated and the key point is to watch how many calories you consume throughout the day and limit them. Following the diet and utilizing hCG drops or injections will render you successful in your weight loss goals.