With the dozens of weight-loss diets circulating, it can be hard to determine which ones provide long-lasting results and fit your dietary needs, especially as a vegan or vegetarian. Luckily, you do not have to look any further. The HCG diet is the perfect vegetarian option to lose weight and keep it off.
We break down the vegetarian HCG diet here. We’ll discuss all the alternatives to animal products and lean protein you can eat. You’ll also learn tips on how to maintain the HCG lifestyle.
What Is HCG?
HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a natural hormone in humans. It aids in suppressing an individual’s appetites. Overall, it manages the amount of food it takes for a person to feel full and satisfied.
HCG can also help reset your hypothalamus. As a result, you’ll get a better functioning metabolism that will help you lose weight for good.
How the HCG Diet Works
The HCG diet facilitates weight loss by limiting your calorie intake to 500 calories per day. Cutting down your calories is not a gradual process as it happens overnight to shock your body into weight loss. Calorie restriction is not the main factor in losing weight as the HCG drops cause your body to release stored fat to use for energy.
By only consuming 500 calories per day, your body will burn more calories than usual. You will only eat lunch and dinner. You will also follow a strict food list containing foods with amino acids, protein powders, soy products, and other healthy foods.
What Can You Eat?
You may be thinking, “How can I possibly survive this low-calorie diet?” Fortunately, you can eat a wide variety of vegetarian foods on the HCG diet. The diet was created for meat-eaters however it has been successfully adapted to fit as a vegetarian HCG diet.
Foods You Should Buy
An excellent place to start with the vegetarian HCG diet is to buy plant-based proteins and vegetables. Soy milk, almond milk, or protein powder are excellent alternatives to animal protein.
Other foods you should purchase include:
- Cottage cheese
- Tofu
- Full-fat dairy products
- Green beans
- Bean sprouts
- Balsamic vinegar
- Plum vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Green tea
- Soy sauce
- Pea protein
- Protein powder
Phases of the HCG Diet
The HCG diet protocol involves the loading, weight loss, and stabilization phases.
Loading phase: This phase lasts two days. It involves eating foods high in fats and beginning your HCG drops.
Weight loss phase: This phase marks when you begin your 500 calories per day while taking the HCG drops 3 times per day. It can last anywhere from 21 to 40 days, depending on how much weight you want to lose.
Stabilization phase: This phase comprises the last three weeks when you stop the HCG drops and maintain your weight. No sugar or starches are allowed in this phase yet you increase your caloric intake to 1500.
We are not saying you have to eat only legumes to be a successful HCG dieter. If you have food restrictions or allergies, you can find plenty of gluten-free and soy-free options. You can also use protein powders to make the vegetarian HCG diet work for you.
Following the HCG protocol is much simpler than the average person thinks. After the first-week hunger is not really a factor for most dieters and this diet is not forever, it’s more of a jumpstart to the new you.
Contact HCG Warrior today at (888) 400-2311 to learn more about the vegetarian HCG diet.