Lose 40 pounds in 40 days? It seems too good to be true, but it's what the HCG diet ads promise. The bare bones of what it entails: 500 calories a day No heavy exercise Daily HCG in one of two forms: nonprescription under-the-tongue drops or prescription injections Recommended foods Breakfast As much coffee or tea as you want Stevia (the only sweetener allowed), One tablespoon of milk per day. Lunch 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of veal, beef, boneless chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab or shrimp. Trim off all fat before cooking and weigh the meat raw. It must be prepared without additional fat. About 2 cups of one of the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus or cabbage. It's OK to eat more than 2 cups. One breadstick or one piece of Melba toast One apple or orange, or a handful of strawberries or half a grapefruit. Dinner Choose again from the same four groups as lunch. "Hcg Diet Cookbook" contain more than 150 delicious hcg diet recipes