800 Calorie Version of the HCG Diet

Dr. Simeons original protocol was extremely successful and thousands of dieters have lost a considerable amount of weight and have kept them off for good. However, with each passing year, the HCG diet menu has changed and evolved. Researchers have learned more about the body and how it functions.

The modern 800 calorie version of the HCG Diet was created by Dr. Richard Lipman. The book was titled, “New Pounds and Inches”. Here, he made changes to Dr. Simeons traditional 500 calorie diet and increases the calorie intake to 800 calories a day. His goal is to make the diet more tolerable for most dieters and still enables them to lose weight at a rapid pace by effectively burning those stubborn fats. He recognizes that most dieters are not comfortable eating only 500 calories a day. 

Why was this diet created?

The HCG diet was originally created for dieters who are obese and for those who struggle to lose weight but times have changed since the original protocol was created. Men and women are much more active now in their daily lives compared to when the protocol was first introduced. The foods we eat now have changed as well.

Although the original version has proven to be successful for decades, it may sound seemingly impossible for others. Most are uncomfortable eating only 500 calorie a day starting with only coffee and a Grissini stick for breakfast or an apple. Certainly, it’s not enough for men and women as well. This leads to a feeling of deprivation and episodes of low blood sugar reaction that many dieters consider this hcg diet protocol to be unhealthy and unstable in the long run. The 800 calorie diet evolved from the 500 calories diet or Dr. Simeon as new products were discovered and the importance of breakfast in controlling the day’s metabolism.

How does the 800 calorie version differs from the 500 calorie version?

This version allows for more calories but still focuses on protein throughout the day. It has more snack options too. Here are some of the new food choice added to on the 800 Calorie HCG menu:

• More protein during breakfast, lunch and dinner to reduce cravings and to produce fullness.
• 3 low calories, sugar-free snacks in a day.
• Unlimited vegetables at lunch and dinner except for peas, beans and carrots
• 3 fruits a day
• Low carb yogurt, protein shakes, high protein-low sugar bars
• Low carb wraps or toast
• Zero-calorie olive oil
• Low-fat cookies
• Sugar-free pudding, Jell-O or popsicles

The new food plan is based on the guidelines from the original Pounds and Inches. It can come from multiple sources such as:

• Products developed for diabetic patients
• The Atkins Diet products
• Tons of HCG-friendly food choices from organic markets, food store and online sources which were not available yet when the plan was created.

Foods included in this new plan had to meet strict criteria which include:

• It should contain similar or lower calories just like the 500 calories plan
• Careful attention to the amount of carbs and sugar. Each food must contain low carbs or sugar.
• Food products that cause hunger and weight gain; contribute to physical water gain; stop fat burning should be eliminated.

Breakfast food list:

You can consume 160 calories for breakfast but all foods added should be fat-free. You can also drink your coffee or tea without sugar. Additional food choices for breakfast that you can include:

• Yogurt
• High protein, sugar-free shake or bars
• Cheese wedge
• Cottage cheese
• One fruit

Shakes:

• Pure protein
• Low sugar shakes
• EAS light

In the original version, you are only to have coffee with 1 tablespoon of milk with 1 Melba toast or Grissini stick but here the meal plan vastly differs. Your breakfast is now a meal that you are now required to eat.

Lunch and dinner food list:

The meals for lunch and dinner are similar to the old version. You must eat one protein option, fruit and vegetables. However, in the 800 calorie plan, you no longer weight the meat. Instead, you take into consideration its calories. For vegetable options, there is no more measuring or alternating vegetables in every meal. All types of veggies are allowed except for very starchy veggies like carrots, peas and corn. Fruit options are 3 per day.

Protein list:

• Crab
• Scallop
• Chicken breast
• Eggs
• White meat turkey
• Oyster
• Snapper
• Tilapia
• Flounder
• Grouper
• Shrimp
• Clams

Added fruit list:

• All berries
• Plums
• Oranges
• Apples
• Cantaloupe
• Peaches
• Grapefruits
• Lemons

Beverages:

• Green tea
• Diet soda
• Coffee, coffee mate
• Soymilk
• Low to no fat cow’s milk

Noodles:

• Shirataki noodles, Miracle noodles

Carbohydrates:

• Grissini stick
• Melba toast
• Gilda toast
• Wasa

Seasonings:

• Unlimited garlic, lemon, plum, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, pepper, basil, parsley

Condiments and additives:

• Soy sauce
• Horseradish
• Sugar-free salsa
• Stevia
• Splenda

What NOT to include in the meal?

• Fish and meat: pork, lamb, Salmon and salami
• Fruits: Banana, watermelon, mango, avocado, pineapple, grapes
• Vegetables: Corn, carrots, peas, black or red beans
• Carbs: Rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, starches
• Drinks: Regular soda, juices, glasses of milk
• Others: Nuts, cheese, peanut butter, oils almond butter
  

The 2+2 Rule

The 800 calorie diet focuses on the 2+2 rule where you’ll pick foods that have both fat and sugar. The sugar will help maintain the blood’s sugar level while the fat will provide the feeling of fullness. This plan features the two grams of sugar combined with two grams of fats or less for both. If one of them contains higher than 2.5 grams then one must be adjusted to have a total of 4 grams. In the 800 calorie diet, your hunger is better controlled than the 500 calorie plan. The reduced hunger is the result of the increased protein intake which makes this plan more tolerable for most individuals.