The eating plan on the 17-Day Diet reduces the intake of carbohydrates by eliminating all refined carbohydrates and sugars. The diet does allow for some whole grains and prioritizes low-carb vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. The 17-Day Diet works in cycles, with different foods allowed during different cycles.The program includes three meals per day plus snacks. The goal is to keep people who are following the diet from getting hungry. From the first cycle, you can eat as much as you want of specific proteins and the so-called "cleansing" (e.g., non-starchy) vegetables.The diet blueprint includes suggested meal plans for all days, although you can mix and match those plans to suit your own tastes. You also can elect to do fast days in between the cycles (in which you'll consume smoothies) to supposedly jump-start your weight loss.To follow the 17-Day Diet, it's helpful (although not required) to purchase Dr. Moreno's book, which includes meal plans and recipes along with the diet blueprint. Still, most meal templates are simple. For example, a typical breakfast in Cycle 2 includes one cup of lean granola with 6 ounces of no-sugar-added fruit-flavored yogurt, while a typical dinner would feature garlic shrimp, steamed green beans, and a large tossed salad dressed with 1 tablespoon olive oil.Many well-loved foods are off the table for the duration of the 17-Day Diet. Though proponents say this is what accelerates weight loss, you may find it makes the diet tricky to follow when eating or socializing with friends and family.