It certainly isn’t per meal! The HCG diet is an incredibly controversial diet on a number of counts, including the fact that you can only have 500 calories per day.
Those who advocate the diet argue that using the hormone HCG, combined with eating a low calorie diet will break down only non essential fats rather than muscle or structural fats that protect vital organs, and lead to an individual losing at least one pound every single day.
HCG is a hormone found in pregnant women and is responsible for metabolism; the hormone has to be injected regularly and dieters have to adhere to a strict plan.
For breakfast, people are only allowed liquids such as tea, coffee, mineral or plain water, and only one tablespoon of skimmed milk are allowed each day. Sugar in any form is completely banned, as are any added fats or processed foods.
Lunch and dinner should contain no more than 100 g (three-and-a-half ounces) of very lean meat or white fish such as chicken, veal, lobster, crab and prawns. Fatty fishes like mackerel and tuna are not allowed. The meal must contain one of the following vegetables: Spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumber, asparagus or cabbage.
Throughout the day, you are also permitted two bread sticks or pieces of Melba toast (dry, of course) and two fruits, but the choice is limited to apples, oranges, half a grapefruit or strawberries. Bananas and grapes are banned because of their high levels of starch and sugar.
Herbs and spices are permitted for flavour, and vegetarians can substitute their milk and fish allowance for 17 fluid ounces of skimmed milk.
Those who advocate the diet argue that using the hormone HCG, combined with eating a low calorie diet will break down only non essential fats rather than muscle or structural fats that protect vital organs, and lead to an individual losing at least one pound every single day.
HCG is a hormone found in pregnant women and is responsible for metabolism; the hormone has to be injected regularly and dieters have to adhere to a strict plan.
For breakfast, people are only allowed liquids such as tea, coffee, mineral or plain water, and only one tablespoon of skimmed milk are allowed each day. Sugar in any form is completely banned, as are any added fats or processed foods.
Lunch and dinner should contain no more than 100 g (three-and-a-half ounces) of very lean meat or white fish such as chicken, veal, lobster, crab and prawns. Fatty fishes like mackerel and tuna are not allowed. The meal must contain one of the following vegetables: Spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumber, asparagus or cabbage.
Throughout the day, you are also permitted two bread sticks or pieces of Melba toast (dry, of course) and two fruits, but the choice is limited to apples, oranges, half a grapefruit or strawberries. Bananas and grapes are banned because of their high levels of starch and sugar.
Herbs and spices are permitted for flavour, and vegetarians can substitute their milk and fish allowance for 17 fluid ounces of skimmed milk.
