When doing the HCG diet, protein is very important and most of the calories you’ll need comes from protein. Based on the original protocol, the allowed protein per meal is 100 grams.
Protein is the single most important nutrient for weight loss, no matter what diet plans you follow. A high protein diet can help you lose fat and build muscle mass. Protein prevents hunger and cravings. It also reeves up metabolism. Unlike carbohydrates, protein is an essential part of the HCG diet- white meat poultry, fish, shellfish, and the leanest meat.
HCG Diet Protein options include:
- White meat poultry such as chicken, turkey
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Whitefish, lobster, shrimp
- Leanest meat like beef
Beef on the HCG Diet
Health experts had been telling us to eat less red meat, but lean beef is not always bad for the waistline. A lean cut of beef has lower saturated fats than skinless chicken breast. Lean beef is among the best sources of protein. Like eggs, beef can keep you feeling full longer because of the protein content. Beef from grass-fed cows has a much better nutrient profile. It has more vitamin A and E, and the cellular antioxidant glutathione. More omega 3, less omega 6, and much more conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. One serving of cooked 3 ounces of beef, you’re getting 10 essential nutrients, including half of your daily value for protein.
- Beef tenderloin: It’s the leanest and the tenderest section of the beef. Beef tenderloin is a great option on the HCG diet. It’s very low in fat, making it faster to cook. It’s also the most expensive cut.
- Beef sirloin: It’s also one of the leanest cuts of beef. It’s less tender and the fat content gives the sirloin the perfect, mouth-watering flavor. The top sirloin is typically the leanest cut with at least 10 grams of fat per serving but jammed packed with protein.
- T-Bone beef cut: A T-Bone cut has a bit of everything. It has a T-shaped bone that subdivides a small section of tenderloin and a larger section of strip steak.
- Top round cut: Another lean cut is the top round part. According to the USDA, the top round cut has only 3 grams of fat per 3-ounce cooked serving.
- Ribeye: This part is derived from the ribs. It has less fat and saturated fat. It’s also a budget-friendly cut. Though it’s shaped like a tenderloin, you won’t get the tenderness of a tenderloin cut from the rib eye.
- Ground beef: Ground beef works well as a topping for taco salads. You may grill it in a patty and use a bunch of lettuce leaves instead of a bun for a burger. Choose the leanest ground beef. A 100 grams of 95% lean ground beef will give you 140 calories.
- Steak cut: All the steaks listed above are allowed on the HCG diet. You can enjoy flank, sirloin, tenderloin, or strip steaks for both lunch and dinner. Porterhouse and T-Bone steaks are also HCG diet-friendly. You just have to remove the bone so you can weigh them raw.