HCG diet recipes

The HCG diet is a very strict dieting strategy that severely limits caloric intake. This is actually an understatement because the diet allows only 500 calories per day. This restriction, along with daily injections of a synthetically produced hormone, HCG, gives the diet its uniqueness. The original idea was that it would help men and women lose fat (and, therefore, weight) and keep it off after returning to a more normal dietary pattern.

How Does the Diet Work?
HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a hormone naturally produced in large amounts by the placenta during pregnancy. The hormone essentially controls the woman’s metabolic functions during this time. It allows for the fetus to receive the nutrients it needs even if the mother is restricting or not eating enough. The baby can live off the mother’s fat stores, and so the idea developed to turn this hormone into a diet. If injected with the hormone, a person’s fat stores will basically be depleted. An injection is given every day, except for the last three, for the duration of the diet, which only lasts for about a month. When the injected hormones take effect, the dieter can more easily be satisfied with 500 calories per day because fat stores are released to provide the energy needed. The foods consumed, to maximize hunger with so little quantities, should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, fats, and void of junk foods.

HCG Recipes
The problem with going on this diet is that your normal, everyday cookbooks temporarily become useless. However, there are recipes that can be adapted, and some that have been produced specifically for this diet. All of the following recipes are suitable because they are low in calories and fat.

Fruit Salad
Try this sweet mixture of fresh fruits for breakfast!

* 1 cup sliced bananas
* 1 cup sliced strawberries
* 1 cup cubed, fresh pineapple
* 1 cup blueberries

Mix all together and enjoy!

Lettuce wraps
The fiber in the lettuce and vegetables, and the protein in the meat give a lasting feeling of fullness.

* 1 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey. Mix with
* Fajita seasoning, low fat & sugar free
* Vegetable mixture (bell peppers and onion)

Brown the ground beef or turkey. Sauté vegetables in a medium-sized pan coated in cooking spray. Wrap both the meat and vegetables in lettuce leaves.

Shish Kabobs
This is not a cut and dry recipe; there are many variations with which to experiment!

* Chunks of lean chicken or shrimp
* Onion, tomato chunks or cherry tomatoes
* Vegetables of choice

Put all on skewers. Season with herbs and lemon juice prior to grilling. Grill until cooked thoroughly.

Lively Citrus Basil Chicken
This dish is easy to throw together and is a perfect dinner for the rest of the family who isn’t even on the diet!

* 3 ½ oz 99% fat free chicken trimmed of visible fat
* 3 ½ oz chopped tomatoes
* 1 orange, peeled & cut into small pieces
* Juice from ½ lemon
* Basil (fresh or dried), as desired
* Salt and pepper, as needed

Place a medium-sized skillet onto stove top; coat with cooking spray. Add chicken and lightly coat with salt and pepper; drizzle with lemon juice and extra water, if needed. Cook 3-4 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped orange, and basil. Simmer on low, for desired amount of marinating time, turning halfway through. Serve chicken on lettuce leaves.

Foil Baked Fish
A simple and satisfying twist on fish.

* 3 ½ oz fish
* Juice of ½ of a lemon
* Salt, pepper, and dill to taste

Put fish in foil (large enough to wrap around and seal). Drizzle with lemon juice and zest some of the rind around the fish. Season with salt, pepper, and dill. Bake in oven at 350 degrees Centigrade until cooked through.

Italian Herbed Fish and Broccoli
This meal is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

* 3 ½ oz white fish
* 3 ½ oz broccoli, chopped
* 1 tomato, peeled & cut into small pieces
* Basil, thyme, oregano (fresh or dried), as desired
* Salt and pepper, as desired
* 2 tablespoons water

Put all spices, salt and pepper into the bottom of a medium-sized skillet. Add fish and drizzle with the lemon. Add broccoli and tomato with a few tablespoons of water over low-medium heat until fish is cooked through. Pour juices over fish and serve with lemon wedges.

Sweet ‘n Sour Lemonade
Perfect for anytime of day!

* 1 quart water
* 1 lemon (juice only)
* 2 packets calorie free natural sweetener
* Ice cubes
* Lemon slices, for garnish

Place water in a pitcher. Add the lemon juice and sweetener; stir. Add desired amount of ice. Garnish with sliced lemons.

Warm Apple Dessert
Craving some apple pie? This is a perfect substitute!

* 1 medium apple, cut into wedges
* Cinnamon, as desired
* 1 packet no calorie sweetener

Dust apples with cinnamon and sweetener and combine in a microwaveable bowl. Heat the microwave for 2 minutes, or until apples are warm and to desired tenderness.