Eating out as a restaurant while on the HCG diet is highly discouraged during Phase 1 on HCG, but many people find themselves faced with travel plans. You can successfully adhere to the HCG protocol if you follow the following suggestions.
HCG Medication:
Bring only the amount of medication needed for the allotted number of travel
days leaving the remaining medication safely at home. Keep your medication in
the original container when traveling on an airplane.
Water: It is important to remember to drink at least 3 liters of
water daily, especially when traveling.
Eating at a Restaurant
When dining at a restaurant, don’t be afraid to ask your server to
accommodate your dietary needs! This is your
body, your weight loss journey. Don’t
compromise.
Order an omelet or scrambled eggs containing one whole egg with three
egg whites. Many restaurants use packaged egg whites which contain dyes and
artificial ingredients and unapproved seasonings. Ask for whole eggs only. Order
your eggs without oil, butter, cream, cheese or sauce of any kind. You may
choose one vegetable add-in, such as spinach, zucchini, onion, etc.
Protein: (lunch and dinner)
Plain grilled chicken, fish or steak seasoned with salt and pepper.
Order without butter, oil or sauce.
The average portion (4-6 oz) is approximately the size of your palm.
Save any leftovers for a snack or future meal.
Most restaurants include a side of vegetable or salad with a starch of
some kind. Omit the potato and order a double serving of steamed vegetables
with no butter or oil. Oftentimes, restaurants will offer mixed vegetables on
the menu, but all can accommodate a single vegetable, such as broccoli or
zucchini. A plate of fresh lettuce greens or spinach without restaurant
dressing could replace the steamed vegetables. Kerisma carries HCG Phase 1
approved salad dressings (in bottles and single servings) and BBQ sauce.
Fruit:
Eat fresh fruit only (strawberries, grapefruit, orange or apple). Avoid
canned or jarred fruits which contain sugar and preservatives. No fruit juice.
Foods Options from a Grocery Store
Protein:
Your best bet is chicken. Many grocery stores (Trader Joe’s, Costco)
offer plain baked chicken without the skin. Avoid deli meat which is highly
processed and too high in fat, as well as rotisserie chicken, which tend to be
injected with oils to keep them juicy. Peeled hardboiled eggs can now be found
in grocery stores. You may eat one with the yoke.
Vegetable:
It’s easy to find precut, ready-to-eat vegetables, such as celery
sticks or cherry tomatoes. Avoid eating nonapproved vegetables, such as carrots
which are high on the glycemic index.
Fruit:
Eat fresh fruit only (strawberries, grapefruit, orange or apple). Prepackaged
sliced apples are readily available. Avoid canned or jarred fruits which
contain sugar and preservatives. No fruit juice.
Eating on the Go (car or airplane)
Carry a small cooler or insulated lunch bag with an icepack. Fill it
with cold chicken, sliced cucumber, zucchini, celery sticks, tomatoes, lettuce,
and fresh fruit. Stick to the approved fruits, all of which are highly
portable. Don’t forget your water bottle!
Fast Foods
Avoid eating from fast food establishments, even the so called
“healthy” options. Much of the meat is highly processed and may have been
prepared using a sugary marinade. Eggs are also highly processed.
