Satisfying Snacks You Can Enjoy While on the HCG Diet

The HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) diet has become an increasingly popular rapid weight loss diet. This controversial diet combines taking HCG supplements or injections along with an ultra-low calorie diet, typically limited to just 500 calories per day.

While the calorie restriction is very intense, it is possible to incorporate satisfying snacks into your HCG diet plan. Choosing the right snacks can help manage hunger, cravings and energy levels throughout the day.

Key Facts About Snacking on the HCG Diet

• Snacks typically make up 100-200 of the 500 daily calories.

• Stick to approved proteins, fruits and vegetables for snacks.

• Pre-portion and prepare snacks ahead of time for convenience.

• Avoid snacking out of boredom or emotions rather than true hunger.

• Stay hydrated and drink water or approved beverages between meals.

“More than 1 in 3 adults in the United States are obese.” – CDC National Center for Health Statistics

With some creativity and planning, you can enjoy tasty snacks to get you through the day while remaining compliant with the strict protocol of the HCG diet.

Overview of the Very Low-Calorie HCG Diet

The HCG diet was first introduced in the 1950s by British physician Dr. Albert T.W. Simeons. His original protocol consisted of:

• Very low calorie diet of approximately 500 calories per day
• Daily injections of the hormone HCG
• No sugars, starches or high fat foods allowed
• Lean protein like chicken breast, white fish, or shrimp
• Non-starchy vegetables only
• 2 servings of fruit per day

This very restrictive three phase diet plan is supposed to be followed for several weeks at a time, with claims of losing up to 1 to 2 pounds per day. Snacks can help make the diet more tolerable.

Tips for Snacking Success on the HCG Diet

Here are some tips to incorporate satisfying snacks into your HCG diet:

• Plan snacks ahead – Decide when and what you’ll have for snacks each day.

• Portion snacks – Measure snacks into proper serving sizes when preparing and packing them.

• Pack snacks to go – Have ready-to-eat options with you when out and about.

• Eat mindfully – Do not snack out of boredom or emotions. Only eat when truly hungry.

• Stay hydrated – Drink water before reaching for a snack to confirm hunger.

• Get creative – Find ways to add flavor using approved seasonings and cooking methods.

• Include variety – Alternate different proteins, fruits and veggies to prevent boredom.

• Watch the clock – Space snacks between meals, not right before regular meals.

With a bit of planning, snacks can be an enjoyable part of your HCG diet.

Best Snack Choices for the HCG Diet

When choosing HCG diet snacks, be sure to select options that fit within the macronutrient guidelines. The best snacks are:

Lean Proteins

• Chicken or turkey breast
• White fish like cod or tilapia
• Shrimp
• Egg whites
• Low-fat cottage cheese

Non-Starchy Vegetables

• Celery sticks
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli and cauliflower
• Cucumber slices
• Tomatoes
• Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce

Low Sugar Fruits

• Strawberries
• Grapefruit
• Apples
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Melon

These whole food snacks help control hunger while providing nutrients. Avoid processed diet foods and bars which may contain hidden sugars.

Portable HCG Diet Snacks

When you’re on the go, having portable snacks makes sticking to the diet easier. Some handy options include:

• Hard boiled eggs
• Turkey or cheese roll-ups
• Veggies with hummus in a snack container
• Cottage cheese individual containers
• Fresh fruits like apple slices
• Mason jar salads
• Tuna or chicken salad in a small Tupperware
• Approved protein bars or shakes
• Sugar-free beef jerky

Packing snacks ensures you have HCG-friendly options available when traveling or out running errands.

Make-Ahead Snack Ideas

Preparing snacks ahead of time promotes compliance with the diet. Here are snack ideas you can make in advance:

Overnight oats – Mix oats, milk, cinnamon and stevia and refrigerate overnight.

Veggie trays – Wash, chop and arrange veggies like carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and jicama on a tray.

Fruit salads – Dice approved fruits like melon, berries and citrus fruits and store in an airtight container.

Yogurt parfaits – Layer plain Greek yogurt with fruit and a dash of cinnamon.

Protein muffins – Bake egg, cottage cheese and veggie muffins and freeze.

Energy bites – Mix together dates, nuts, oats and cocoa powder and shape into balls.

Protein smoothies – Blend protein powder with milk and approved fruits.

With a little prep time, you can have grab-and-go snacks ready for the week ahead.

Creative Snack Pairings

Think outside the box by pairing snacks in creative combinations:

• Apple slices with natural peanut butter
• Celery sticks with hummus or guacamole
• Cottage cheese with pineapple or peach slices
• Cucumber rounds with smoked salmon and capers
• Bell pepper strips with avocado dip
• Turkey roll-ups with mustard and pickle slices
• Hard boiled egg sprinkled with hot sauce or everything bagel seasoning

Combining complementary flavors and textures makes snacks more interesting.

Satisfying Sweet HCG Snack Ideas

While limited, you can enjoy sweet snacks on the HCG diet too. Some options include:

• Berries drizzled with melted dark chocolate chips
• Baked cinnamon apple chips
• Frozen grapes for a sweet crunch
• Sugar-free jello with whipped cream
• Greek yogurt mixed with cocoa powder and stevia
• Chocolate protein smoothie with avocado and cocoa powder

These can help satisfy a sweet tooth within the diet guidelines.

Sample HCG Diet Snack Schedule

To give you an idea of how to incorporate snacks into your HCG diet, here is a sample snack schedule:

Breakfast: Veggie omelet

Snack: Sliced apple with natural peanut butter

Lunch: Grilled chicken breast and salad

Snack: Sugar-free jello with whipped cream

Dinner: White fish with broccoli

Snack: Cottage cheese with melon cubes

Planning your snacks into your day helps prevent temptation to grab unapproved foods when hunger strikes.

Make Snacking Work for You

Snacking can be an important part of succeeding on the restrictive HCG diet. Just be sure to choose compliant foods and watch your portions. Prep snacks ahead of time for convenience.

If you find yourself ravenous between meals, speak to your healthcare provider about adjusting your calorie intake. Some dieters increase calories to 800 or more which allows for larger or additional snacks.

With some creativity and planning, snacking can help you manage hunger and cravings as you work to meet your weight loss goals on the HCG diet. Just be sure to choose snacks wisely to remain compliant with the protocol.