The HCG diet is a weight loss method wherein the person’s normal daily caloric requirement is decreased. To be able to achieve that, there must be a food guide that the dieter should follow. The 500-calorie diet also known as Very Low Calorie Diet or VLCD lasts for 23 days with HCG shots or dose.

The metabolic rate is sped up in order for the body to burn the fats faster and the appetite is curbed by the HCG compound. To aid the nutrients the body contains, the HCG compund also has added vitamins and minerals into it. The person will lose as much as 1 to 2 pounds a day that way. 

The dieter is required to consume all fatty and high-caloric foods in the first two days of the diet program. The body must be prepared to go through the next phase with a strict calorie limit. The stored fats are build up during the 2 days. 
This is because the food requirement is limited only to lean meat, vegetables and fruits, and some fluids in the course of the low calorie diet phase. The 500-calorie daily intake is equally divided and distributed into meals. For HCG diet, here is the basic food guide: 

* Breakfast should only be fluids. The dieter can consume tea or coffee to his content as long as sugar is not included. Milk may be added but make sure that only 1 tbsp of it is consumed in the whole 24 hrs. 

* Lunch is a combination of meat, veggies and fruits. 1.100 grams of meat like white fish, shrimp, lobster, chicken, beef and turkey can be cooked as long as there is no oil or butter used. Spinach, celery, asparagus, red beet, tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, and lettuce can be cooked or be prepared as salad but also avoid doing it in oil or dressing. The dieter can also eat a small portion of bread. The fruits can be consumed twice a day. They can be apples, oranges, grapefruits or a few pieces of berries. 

* For dinner, it is the same food combination as lunch. Meat can be only be grilled or steamed. There must be no oil or butter involved in any food preparation with the HCG diet program. Veggies can either be eaten raw or steamed. A very low amount of spices is allowed too. A dash of salt and pepper can be used as well, but never too much.