What fruits are allowed on the HCG diet and which should you avoid?

October 28, 2025 •

3 min read

With its strict, low-calorie structure, the HCG diet limits food intake significantly, which is why understanding the specific food list is crucial. For those following the protocol, knowing exactly what fruits are allowed on the HCG diet is key to staying on track and avoiding setbacks.

Quick Summary

The HCG diet permits specific low-sugar, low-calorie fruits like apples, strawberries, and oranges during Phase 2, with strict serving limits. It is necessary to avoid high-sugar options such as bananas, grapes, and dried fruit to prevent weight gain and insulin spikes. The restrictions loosen slightly during the maintenance phase.

Key Points

Strict Limits in Phase 2: During the very low-calorie phase, only two small servings of low-sugar fruits like apples or berries are permitted daily.
Approved Fruit Examples: Standard allowed fruits include one medium apple, one medium orange, half a grapefruit, or a small handful of strawberries.
Forbidden High-Sugar Fruits: Avoid bananas, grapes, mangoes, and pineapple in Phase 2 due to their high sugar content, which can interfere with the diet's goals.
Dried Fruit is Not Allowed: Dried fruits are off-limits because the dehydration process concentrates their sugar, making them unsuitable for the diet's restrictive protocol.
Reason for Limitation: Fruits are limited because their natural sugars can cause an insulin spike, counteracting the diet's goal of burning fat stores.
Maintenance Phase Adjustments: The maintenance phase allows for a gradual reintroduction of a wider variety of foods, but caution with high-sugar fruits is still recommended.
Consider Medical Advice: The HCG diet is controversial, and potential risks exist due to severe calorie restriction; consulting a doctor before beginning is strongly advised.

The HCG diet is a weight-loss program that combines a very low-calorie diet with injections or supplements of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone. The diet is divided into several phases, with the most restrictive being Phase 2, which typically limits daily intake to around 500-800 calories. During this phase, food options are severely limited, and a deep understanding of the allowed foods, including fruits, is essential for success.

Why are Fruits Limited on the HCG Diet?

Fruits are generally viewed as healthy, but their natural sugar content must be carefully controlled on the HCG diet. The diet is designed to force the body to use abnormal fat stores for energy. Eating too much sugar, even from fruits, can cause a blood sugar spike, triggering an insulin response. Insulin is a fat-storage hormone, and a significant spike can disrupt the fat-burning process the HCG protocol aims to achieve. This is why most protocols recommend only two servings of a select list of low-glycemic fruits per day.

Allowed Fruits for Phase 2 (Very Low-Calorie Diet)

During the restrictive Phase 2, only a select number of fruits are permitted, with specific portion sizes to maintain the low-calorie count. These fruits are generally lower in sugar and higher in fiber or water content to aid with satiety. It is common to have one serving with lunch and one with dinner.

Apples: One medium-sized apple is an approved serving.
Berries: A handful or approximately 3.5 ounces of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries is typically allowed. Some protocols advise caution with blueberries due to their slightly higher sugar content.
Citrus Fruits: One medium orange or half a grapefruit is a common serving choice. Lemons and limes are also permitted for flavor without a calorie penalty.
Other options: Some protocols may allow small portions of cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, or plums, though these should be carefully measured.

Fruits to Avoid During Phase 2

Just as important as knowing what is allowed is knowing what to avoid. High-sugar fruits can quickly sabotage your efforts. Avoiding these is crucial for maintaining the metabolic state required for the diet.

Bananas: These are high in sugar and carbohydrates and are strictly prohibited during Phase 2.
Grapes: High in sugar, grapes are also on the forbidden list for the main weight-loss phase.
Pineapple: Similarly, pineapple contains higher sugar levels and should be avoided.
Dried Fruits: The process of drying concentrates the sugar content, making them off-limits.

Fruit During the Maintenance Phase (Phase 3)

After completing the strict, low-calorie phase, the HCG diet moves into a maintenance phase. During this time, the calorie limit increases to around 1500, and more foods are gradually reintroduced. The goal of this phase is to stabilize your new weight. While high-sugar fruits like bananas, grapes, and mangoes are still discouraged, some protocols allow for their reintroduction in moderation, provided the dieter is careful to monitor their weight.

A Note on Safety and Controversies

It is important to remember that the HCG diet is highly controversial, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that HCG products marketed for weight loss are unproven and potentially unsafe. The severe calorie restriction of the diet itself can also increase the risk of health issues like gallstones and heart arrhythmias. It is highly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting the HCG or any other restrictive diet.

Comparison of Fruits for the HCG Diet (Phase 2)


Fruit Category	Approved (Phase 2)	Portions (Phase 2)	To Avoid (Phase 2)	Reason for Avoidance
Apples	Yes	1 medium apple	N/A	Low calorie, good fiber
Berries	Yes (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries)	Handful or 3.5 oz	Blueberries (with caution), cherries	Generally lower sugar; caution advised with some types
Citrus	Yes (Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemons)	1 medium orange, 1/2 grapefruit	N/A	Low sugar content
Melons	Yes (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon)	1-2 cups, cubed	N/A	High water content, lower calories
High-Sugar Fruits	No	N/A	Bananas, grapes, mangoes, pineapple	High in sugar, causes insulin spikes
Dried Fruits	No	N/A	All dried fruit	Concentrated sugar content

Conclusion

Navigating fruit on the HCG diet requires strict adherence to a limited list and precise portion sizes, particularly during the low-calorie Phase 2. Focusing on low-sugar options like apples, strawberries, and grapefruit is essential, while high-sugar and dried fruits should be completely avoided. While the maintenance phase allows for some reintroduction, the foundational principles of low sugar remain. Before beginning this or any highly restrictive diet, always consult a healthcare provider to ensure it's safe for your individual health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, bananas and grapes are not allowed on the HCG diet, especially during the low-calorie Phase 2. They are high in sugar, which can cause an insulin spike and hinder weight loss.

During the strict Phase 2, you are typically allowed two servings of approved fruit per day, spaced out between your main meals.

Yes, a handful of berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are generally allowed during Phase 2 due to their lower sugar content. Some protocols advise caution with blueberries.

No, fruit choice is not flexible during the restrictive phase. You must choose only from the specific list of approved low-sugar fruits and stick to the recommended portion sizes to avoid impacting your weight loss.

Dried fruits are prohibited because the sugar is concentrated. Canned fruits often have added sugar and preservatives, making them unsuitable for the diet. Stick to fresh, approved fruits.

Yes, during the maintenance phase (Phase 3), the diet becomes less restrictive. You can gradually reintroduce a wider variety of fruits, though continued moderation with high-sugar options is still wise.

Portion sizes are extremely important. Even with approved fruits, staying within the recommended two small daily servings is critical to manage your low-calorie intake and prevent blood sugar fluctuations that could derail your progress.