Snacks provide variety. It prevents hunger and feeling of deprivation. By depriving yourself of snacks in between meals, you may do more harm to your diet than good. How about if you are on HCG injection?
We know the HCG diet plan utilizes the HCG injection along with a very restricted calorie intake of only 500 calories a day. Because of the limited calorie intake, would snacking be possible? Well, it’s possible! Below are healthy snacking tips during the weight loss and maintenance phases of the HGC diet.
Tips for snacking healthily while on HCG injection
- Save some foods like fruits and carb options from your lunch or dinner and eat them later for your snacks. Your carb option includes a Grissini stick or a Melba toast. Rather than eating them during your meals, have them as snacks.
- Enjoy some fruits. Fruits serve for lunch and dinner are perfect mid-afternoon or late-night snacks. If you need something on the go, snack on a small apple or orange. You can also have a handful of strawberries or half a grapefruit. For apples and plums, do not peel the skin as it provides extra fiber that will help keep you feeling fuller longer.
- You can have unlimited plain tea, coffee, and water. So next time your tummy growl even if it’s not almost mealtime yet, have something to drink. Perhaps that rumbling feeling could just be a sign you’re not getting enough liquids, and you’re not hungry. For some twist, try adding fresh lemon juice into your water as you are allowed to have one per day. Plain tea or coffee sweetened with Stevia will also keep your hunger at bay. You can also add one tablespoon of your milk per day to your coffee.
- Divide your meals into smaller meals. Eat four small meals rather than eating 2 meals.
- If you are hungry, snack on approved-HCG diet foods. Vegetables and fruits are great snacks. Have some sugar-free protein snack bars, yogurt, and nuts instead of processed snacks.
Tips for snacking healthily while in the maintenance phase
- Combine veggies and fruits with healthy dairy. Yogurt and cottage cheese are excellent examples. Their pack with slow-burning carbs helps curb your hunger and cravings without adding excess calories.
- Snack on high-protein foods to help keep your hunger at bay. Eggs can make excellent morning snacks or pre-workout snacks. Other protein snack option includes peanut butter celery stick, almonds, veggies with yogurt dip, Trail mix, cheese slices, and roasted chickpea.
- Watch out for the calories. Just because you can snack doesn’t mean to say to can overdo. Calories from snacks should range from 100 to 200 calories.
- Make smart snack choices. Avoid processed snacks and opt for fresh fruits and veggies for a snack. Choose snacks that will keep you feeling fuller longer.
- Do not snack late at night. Your last meal or snack should not be later than 7 pm.
- Avoid starchy and sugary additives. Choose snacks that are high in fiber or protein.
