Cheese on the HCG Diet

The HCG diet protocol is very strict and anyone following this diet must strictly adhere to the protocol. The HCG diet includes a very low-calorie limit that allows for various meal plans to spice up bland or typical recipes. In each phase of the HCG diet, you can consume different types of foods. You are only allowed to have the leanest possible meat, chicken breast, white fish, and seafood like shrimp and crab during the weight loss phase but these limited protein options can really drive you crazy sometimes.

In certain cases, where you feel like not eating the protein options listed on the allowable foods during the weight loss and maintenance phase, you can occasionally replace the ones you dislike. Occasional meat replacement allowed for 1 serving only includes:

• 1 whole egg with 3 egg whites
• 100 grams of fat-free cottage cheese

 According to Dr. Simeons, “cottage cheese made from skimmed milk 100 grams may occasionally be used instead of the meat, but no other cheeses are allowed”.

Cottage cheese

Weight loss diet often includes cottage cheese, even on the HCG Diet. Cottage cheese is low in calories but high in protein and other essential nutrients, which is why it’s often recommended as part of a healthy diet. 1 cup of cottage cheese contains 163 calories and a decent amount of vitamins, zinc, copper, and choline. This soft, white, and creamy cheese does not undergo aging or ripening process. As a result, it has a very mild flavor compared with hard cheese.  It’s very satiating making you feel full at a relatively low number of calories. In fact, cottage cheese seems to stimulate feelings of fullness to a similar extent as eggs.

Can I have other types of cheese while on the very low-calorie diet?

The answer is obviously NO but then again, you can occasionally replace your protein option with 100 grams of fat-free cottage cheese. In cases of unexpected interruption, which I am going to explain in a bit, you can increase your diet to at least 800 calories by adding eggs, meat, cheese, and milk. Choose a cheese that won’t work against you but will help you achieve your goal.

Unexpected interruptions

From the book Pounds and Inches, “If an interruption of treatment lasting more than four days is necessary, the patient must increase his diet to at least 800 calories by adding meat, eggs, cheese, and milk to his diet after the third day, as otherwise, he will find himself so hungry and weak that he is unable to go about his usual occupation. If the interval lasts less than two weeks the patient can directly resume injections and the 500-calorie diet, but if the interruption lasts longer, he must again eat normally until he has had his third injection”.

Loud and clear, if you are a cheese lover, the perfect time to have cheese on your diet is during an unexpected interruption. We always recommend though that it’s best to turn this into a planned interruption to avoid messing up with your weight loss result. There are plenty of low fat, low salt, fresh, soft, and creamy cheeses to stock in case of interruptions. These include cottage cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and mascarpone.

• Mozzarella: This soft, white cheese is low in sodium and calories. 28 grams of full-fat mozzarella contains 85 calories. It has a probiotic that helps boost the immune system. Mozzarella cheese is a great alternative for low-calorie fillings to add to crackers of sandwiches. You can also pair it with some fruit for a snack.
• Feta cheese: It’s made from sheep or goat’s milk. It has a sharp, tangy flavor with a creamy texture. 28 grams of Feta cheese provides 74 calories, and a decent amount of phosphorus, iron, vitamin A and K. Additionally, it contains more B vitamins and calcium than cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella.
• Mascarpone: It’s Italian, low-carb cream cheese, a shining star for Tiramisu, and other creamy desserts. It’s quite loaded with calories so you have to be careful when you choose this cheese.

Cottage Cheese Recipes

Blackberry Cottage Cheese Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups salad greens
• 1 cup blackberries
• 2 tablespoon slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Place the salad greens on a plate.
2. Top with blackberries then drizzles with balsamic glaze.
3. Top with cottage cheese and then sprinkle with slivered almonds and cranberries.

Grilled Summer Salad

Ingredients

• 1 ripe peach
• ¼ cup cottage cheese
• 4 cherry tomato
• ¼ cup blueberries
• Spring mix, spinach or lettuce
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• Dried thyme to garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Cut the peach in half then lightly brush with olive oil.
3. Place the cut side on the grill and cook for 5 minutes or until the grill marks are on the peaches.  Remove the peaches from the grill and allow to cool.
4. In a bowl, add lettuce or spinach and top with blueberries, cherry tomato, and grilled peaches.
5. Place cottage cheese on top.
6. Mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl then blend well. Drizzle over the salad. Garnish the salad with dried thyme.

Cottage Cheese-Cilantro Guacamole

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cottage cheese with 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 cup diced avocado
• ½ cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Combine cottage cheese, cilantro, salt, cumin, red onion, lime juice, and garlic powder in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the diced avocado then blend. Do not blend the avocado completely. There should still be chunks.
2. Serve with chips or on top with pretty much everything.