In this article, we're tackling one of the most exciting areas of the HCG diet - recipes!
Recipes are a fun way to unlock the full potential of the HCG diet. With any diet that is especially restrictive, you want to find ways to add variety to your meals and break up the monotony of your eating schedule. This lets you choose fresh and exciting options, and it keeps you motivated.
The Challenge with Recipes
HCG recipes are a particular challenge because they have to conform to one of the strictest diets out there.
To get a good idea of their full potential, we'll start by outlining the foods you can eat on the HCG diet. We’ll look at an HCG food list and outline the basics of an HCG meal plan. By understanding your limitations, you can unlock the full potential of the HCG diet!
After that, we’ll break down each recipe by category and reveal how you can add ample variety and excitement to a traditionally restrictive diet.
The Key to HCG Recipes
Your food list (LINK to article I wrote about HCG food list) is going to be your guiding light for deciding what you can eat on the HCG diet. When most people refer to a "food list," they are talking about the list of approved foods during Phase 2 of the HCG diet.
First, let's run down a list of approved foods on the HCG diet. Then, we'll examine how it will fit into your meal planning.
Proteins
You’re allowed 200g of protein - 100g during both lunch and dinner - during Phase 2 of the diet. The approved proteins are as follows:
Fruits
Fruits are restricted due to their caloric and sugar content. You can eat two servings of fruit each day - one per meal - and you can choose from the following options:
Vegetables
You can consume two cups of vegetables per day. The following choices are permitted:
Carbs
Starches are very restricted on the HCG diet, with only one piece of plain melba toast or one grissini breadstick allowed per day.
Other Foods
There are a few other approved foods you can use to supplement your diet or add flavor to other dishes.
Alternative Ingredients
Obviously, the above food list is quite restrictive. It's important to remember the HCG diet was originally created in the 1950s. As a result, it doesn't include many modern aspects of people's diets.
Nowadays, many will add several alternative ingredients to their HCG dietary plan. So long as the ingredient remains consistent with the basic principles of HCG (low fat, no carbs, no butter, oils, etc), it could be considered a viable option.
There are too many alternatives to list here. Many HCG recipes might contain some of these ingredients. If you're in doubt, search to see whether the ingredient is generally considered HCG friendly so you don't have to worry about breaking the diet.
Putting it All Together
There are also specific guidelines as to when and how you should consume your food; the food list isn't even the full story.
It helps to visualize the food list in terms of a meal plan. Based on this meal plan, you can understand how to properly portion dishes and which ingredients you are able to add.
Here’s a typical meal plan during HCG Phase 2:
This is your life during Phase 2 of the HCG diet. It's quite limiting, but tasty recipes can make it easier. Let's check some out:
HCG Diet Recipes
We've broken down our recipes based on different sections of your HCG meal plan. We'll start with protein options, look at side dishes, and then check out either fruits or desserts.
Protein Recipes
Remember when cooking proteins that the HCG diet only allows 100g per meal! Here are some awesome recipes that utilize the allowed list of proteins for maximum flavor.
Lemon Tilapia
You’ll need:
Directions: Combine all the ingredients and wrap them in tin foil. Preheat the oven to 400F. Bake for 5-10 minutes until the fish "flakes" apart with a fork.
Barbecue Chicken
You’ll need:
Directions: Mix the spices together in a bowl and season the chicken with the spice mixture. Cover it with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350F. Baste it with BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal heat of 165F.
Beef Kebabs
You’ll need:
Directions: Cube the steak and season with spices. Slice the bell pepper into squares. Alternate the steak and pepper on a skewer. Cook on medium-high until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 145F (for medium steak). NOTE: This counts as a protein and a vegetable serving.
Beef Meatballs
You’ll need:
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Roll them into meatballs and place them on a parchment sheet. Preheat the oven to 425F and cook for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool and serve. NOTE: This counts as a starch serving.
Rosemary Chicken
You’ll need:
Directions: Season the chicken with the spice mix. Cover it with tin foil and bake at 350F for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Veggie Recipes
Next up, we have the veggie servings! Here are some fun ways to add variety to a typically bland side dish:
Cucumber Salad
Directions: Slice the cucumber and toss it with the remaining ingredients. Chill for one hour and serve.
Roasted Lemon Cauliflower
Directions: Break the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Toss the cauliflower with lemon juice and salt and pepper. Roast it for 25 minutes at 425F until golden brown.
Baked Asparagus
You’ll Need:
Directions: Combine the spices in a bowl. Brush the asparagus with lemon juice and sprinkle on seasoning mix. Lay them on a baking sheet. Cook for 10 minutes at 400F until the asparagus is lightly browned.
Fruit/Dessert Recipes
Baked Apples
You’ll Need:
Directions: Cut a hole in the apple, starting from the stem. Cut a circle around the stem and remove. Use a spoon to dig out the seeds. Squeeze lemon juice on the outside and inside of the apple. Mix the spices and Stevia, and sprinkle outside and inside the apple. Bake the apple at 375F for 30 minutes. The apple should be cooked and tender, but not mushy.
Strawberry Smoothie
Directions: Combine the ingredients in a blender. Blend to desired consistency.
Conclusion
Although HCG is a restrictive diet, you can craft a variety of different recipes with a little creativity to keep your meals fresh and unique. They can be frozen, prepared in bulk, or taken out the day of. HGC isn't an easy diet, but these recipes can go a long way to making it much easier.
