Are you interested in trying the HCG diet but aren’t sure how to get started?

The HCG diet can be a great way for you to lose weight. But if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, this diet can sometimes be a little difficult to navigate. 

What do you need to know about the HCG diet if you’re a vegan?

Check out this vegan guide to the HCG diet to learn everything you need to know. 

What is the HCG Diet?

The HCG combines hormone injections with an extremely low-calorie deficit. Typically, those on the HCG diet consume around 500 calories per day. 

To give you a reference, most women need around 1600 to 2400 calories per day to maintain their weight, while most men need to consume around 2000 to 3000 calories per day to stay in maintenance. 

HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. This is a hormone that women produce during the early stages of pregnancy. HCG is also a marker that’s used in home pregnancy tests. The hormone treats fertility issues in both men and women. 

Proponents of the HCG diet say you can lose up to one pound per day on this diet plan, making it a great option for those in need of quick weight loss. 

The Function of HCG

HCG is a protein-based hormone made during pregnancy. HCG helps to maintain the production of other vital hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. 

During the first three months of pregnancy, levels of HCG begin to drop. Proponents of the HCG diet say that HCG injections can help rev up your metabolism. 

The higher your metabolism is, the faster your body can burn calories, burn fat, and lose weight. 

The Typical HCG Diet 

British physician A.T.W Simeons designed the original HCG diet in 1954 with meat-eaters in mind. Simeons focused on high-protein meats, as meat helps keep you full and curb cravings. 

Permitted meat choices in the original diet included:

• Chicken breast
• Beef
• Boiled or grilled veal
• Shrimp
• Crab 
• Lobster
• Fresh white fish

The original diet dictated that the meat was to be weighed raw, and all visible fat was to be removed. If you were eating chicken, you were supposed to remove it from the bone before cooking or consuming it. 

While certain seafood items were permitted on the original diet, other types of seafood were strictly forbidden. Simeons said to avoid tuna, mackerel, salmon, eel, pickled fish, and herring due to their high-fat content. 

Hormone Injections 

Hormone injections are not to begin until the third day of the diet. During the first three days, dieters are supposed to eat excessively. Then, on the third day and for the following three weeks, the dieter should cut down their calorie consumption to 500 calories per day and undergo daily hormone injections. 

Dieters should stick to drinking water, plain tea, and coffee. They should also avoid sugars, sweets, and starches. After the first three weeks, dieters can consume a minimal amount of starches as well as a small spoonful of milk. 

Amended HCG Diet for Vegans 

The HCG diet for vegans has slightly different protocols than the meat-eater diet. Before consuming any food during the HCG diet, vegans should first drink one to two quarts of water. 

During the first three weeks of the diet, vegans can choose to consume any type of raw vegan foods they want. However, dinner should be a repeat of lunch. Examples of raw vegan foods include:

• Raw, juiced, or dehydrated veggies  
• Fresh, dry, juiced, or dehydrated fruits
• Raw nut milk
• Raw nuts and seeds
• Raw nut butter
• Cold-pressed oils (high in calories so need to be used sparingly)
• Sprouted or soaked legumes
• Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, or miso

While it may seem like your options are limited, there’s a lot that you can do with these foods. 

HCG Diet Tips for Vegans 

Because vegan foods generally have less protein than meat, it can be tough to figure out what to eat to keep your body full. Here are some tips that will help you stick to the HCG diet if you’re a vegan:

Drink Plenty of Water 

Keep in mind that there are no maximum water requirements on the HCG diet. Water takes up space in your stomach, which leads to a feeling of fullness and reduces hunger. 

Plus, our bodies sometimes mistake thirst cues for hunger cues. If your tummy is rumbling, you may assume that you’re hungry, when in fact, you’re just thirsty. 

If you find that you’re struggling with this diet, try drinking more water. 

Be Mindful of Nut Milks 

You need to be careful about the nut milk you drink on this diet, as most nut milk varieties sold in grocery stores contain added ingredients that aren’t permitted on the HCG diet. 

Before purchasing, check the ingredients list to ensure that the milk only contains raw nuts and water. If possible, make your own nut milk at home.

Avoid Grains 

While grains are a good source of protein and fiber, you need to avoid them on the HCG diet. However, you can load up on legumes on this diet. 

Legumes are a great source of protein, so you should incorporate them into all of your meals. Examples of legumes include:

• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Mung beans 
• Lima beans
• Peas
• Kidney beans
• Soybeans
• Navy beans
• Green beans
• Broad beans
• Pinta beans
• Lupin beans
• Snap peas
• Split peas
• Adzuki beans

You can also eat fava beans, black-eyed peas, and edamame. 

Are You Ready to Try the HCG Diet? 

Now that you’ve read this vegan guide to the HCG diet, it’s time for you to begin your diet journey. Not only can this diet help you lose weight, but it can also help you kickstart healthier eating habits. 

Check back in with our blog for more dieting tips and tricks.