The diet has four phases: Phase One is “Detox” and lasts nine days. During this time, you eat unlimited amounts of fruits (except dried fruits) and vegetables (except white potatoes and avocados), as well as two cups of cooked brown rice, two cups of low-fat or skim milk, one cup of oatmeal, and four egg whites per day. All foods are grilled, steamed, or served raw. You MUST eat five times a day, and you cannot drink caffeinated drinks.
Phase Two is “Foundation” and lasts three weeks. Again, you can have unlimited amounts of fruits and vegetables at any of your five daily meals and snacks. You also get a daily ration of one cup coffee; one cup fruit juice; two cups cooked brown rice; one 3-4 ounce serving of meat (poultry without skin, beef, or lamb); four egg whites plus one whole egg; one serving of seafood (about three ounces); one dairy consisting of one ounce cheese, 2 1/2 cups low-fat milk, or two 6-ounce yogurts; grains consisting of 1 1/2 cups dry cereal or one-half cup hot cereal (choose from list); and fats consisting of one tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise or 2 pats butter.
Phase Three is “Construction” and lasts one month. The diet is the same as above with the following changes: You can have two cups fruit juice, three cups of tea, five ounces of meat, four egg whites, and two whole eggs, three cups skim or low-fat milk, 1.3 ounces cheese, one cup whole-wheat pasta and four thin slices whole-wheat bread, and one dessert. Dessert is either 3 chocolate chip cookies, 4 gingersnaps, 2 oatmeal raisin cookies, 2 peanut butter cookies, 2 graham crackers or one scoop low-fat ice cream. If you reach a plateau and are not losing weight, go back to Phase One.
Phase Four or “Temple” lasts your lifetime. If you do gain weight, you go back to Phase One until you take it off. Phase Four adds many new foods. The maximum you can have of each new food per week is four strips bacon, two links sausage, 6 four-inch pancakes, 1 six-inch waffle, two slices cheese pizza, one baked potato, one medium lobster, four slices ham, two cans regular soda, three beers, three glasses wine, 3 small café lattes, and one 12-ounce milkshake.