Before deciding to go on the hCG diet protocol, you may be wondering if there are enough choices of foods that you would like to eat or you may have food allergies to consider. Doctor A. T. W. Simeons developed the protocol after observing pregnant women in India who despite low food intake gave birth to healthy babies. He isolated the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, as the key element in the successful utilization of stored body fat while dieting. The protocol has a limited selection of foods to choose from. Especially limited are choices for vegetarians. Some have tried additional foods with reported successes.

Food Portions

Inject a daily dose of hCG during the weight loss portion of the protocol, and consume only about 500 calories a day. Eat two portions of each per day, no two of the same type to be eaten at the same time: 3.5 ounces of lean protein, 3.5 ounces of vegetable, and fruit. Cook food by steaming, broiling, baking or grilling, but do not add any extra fats. Season your food with lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, chili, garlic or any herbs.


Consume protein sources from lean meats, such as lean beef and chicken breast, seafood such as shrimp, lobster and crab, white fish such as tilapia, halibut and striped bass, or one whole egg with three additional whites. You can add other lean meats such as bison and venison to your diet. Eating egg is the most recommended meat substitute for vegetarians. Other accepted vegetarian options are a 16-ounce glass of skim milk or 3.5 ounces of fat-free cottage cheese, though often at the cost of slower weight loss. Some vegetarians also use protein powders derived from hemp, whey or rice to replace animal protein.


Choose from spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, radishes, cucumbers, asparagus or cabbage for your vegetable servings. Do not mix different types of vegetables in a serving. Some people eat broccoli while on the diet with no ill affects, while others find that this vegetable inhibits their weight loss. Add peppers, mushrooms, green beans, or alfalfa sprouts to the list if you want some updated choices. Some people mix different vegetables in a serving, though the original protocol instructs you not to do so.


Choose from an apple, an orange, six strawberries or one half grapefruit for your fruit serving. Do not replace an orange with a tangerine, as tangerines are higher in sugar. Add blueberries or melon to the list if you want to try some new alternatives. Eat fruit that is fresh and not dried, canned or precooked, but you can cook it yourself.


Drink about 2 liters of fluids per day. Choose from black, green and white teas, coffee and water. Include caffeinated beverages, but drink additional caffeine-free beverages to make up your fluid quota for the day. Add lemon juice or stevia extract to flavor water.


About the Author

Chris Wass holds a BFA from RIT's School for American Crafts, and is an IT professional and craftsperson in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chris started in technical writing 11 years ago, adding crafts 5 years ago. Craft projects have been featured at Boing Boing,, and Best of Craftster 2008.

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