A Vegetarian’s Guide to Losing Weight with the HCG Diet Plan
Anyone who has scoped out the basic guidelines of the hCG diet plan will tell you, that it’s all about the protein. High density protein sources light meat and seafood play an integral role in keeping a person feeling full while dieting. High protein intake is also what allows the body to burn fat at a faster rate, leading to incredible weight loss of 20-30 pounds in a single month.
But what about vegetarians? Just because someone does not eat meat shouldn’t prevent them from hopping on the hCG train and enjoying the remarkable benefits.
Following through with the hCG meal plan while on a vegetarian diet is not easy, but it is possible. Here’s how:
Replace Meat with Eggs & Cheese
Even when the hCG meal plan was relatively new, people were looking for acceptable substitutes for the recommended meat intake. Eggs and cottage cheese were the first items to be suggested, as both provide good sources of non-meat protein.
Generally speaking, a vegetarian can replace 100 grams of meat with two good-sized eggs. However, egg yolks are relatively high in fat, so egg whites would be an even more appropriate option.
100 grams of meat can also be replaced with 100 grams of cottage cheese, only if it is made with low-fat skim milk.
What About Vegetarians Who Don’t Eat Eggs?
There are plenty of vegetarians who prefer not to eat eggs. One of the best options for these people is to replace the 100g protein intake with about 4 ounces of skim milk or skim milk curds.
Many vegetarians might be used to eating a diet that is rich in rice, legumes, nuts, and other high-starch options. However, none of these items are appropriate if you really want to approach the hCG diet correctly. The standard fruit and vegetable servings should be observed, which priorities protein over fat and starch.
What About Vegetarian Protein Supplements & Products?
When the hCG meal plan was first formulated, there weren’t a whole lot of vegetarian protein supplements on the market. But of course, things have changed a lot over the last few years. Things like whey protein, egg white protein, and soft tofu can all serve as an effective replacement for meat and fish.
Here are some of the recommended serving sizes for vegetarian protein supplements:
- Whey Protein – 1 Scoop
- Egg White Protein – 1 Scoop
- Soft Tofu – 160g
- Vegetarian burger patties – (1 burger)
NOTE: If you are thinking about using a packaged protein replacement while on the hCG diet, it is extremely important that you study the nutritional facts before you begin. There are many products that have hidden ingredients that can seriously hinder your ability to lose weight.
Conclusion: Vegetarians Can Lose Weight on the hCG Diet
When looking over the results of the many thousands of people who have dropped pounds with hCG, it has become clear that vegetarians are very much able to experience rapid weight loss.
However, the same statistics show that vegetarians will lose only about half as much on average as non-vegetarians. One of the biggest reasons for this is that there are few vegetarian protein sources with the same low-sugar content as lean meat. However, it’s still possible to lose 10, 15, or even 20 pounds in a month if you’re a vegetarian.
Just stick with the meal plan, avoid too many egg yolks, and drink lots of water! Vegetarian or not, you’ll see the results in as little as a week or two.