Most versions allow black coffee and herbal or green tea without sugar. Avoid milky, sweetened drinks except on day 4, when milk is part of the plan. If you use a sweetener, stevia is the usual choice.

No. Alcohol is not part of the plan on any day.

Not on days 1 to 6. Grains return on day 7, as brown rice or, in the Indian version, one or two chapatis.

Yes, in sensible amounts. Herbs, spices, lemon and garlic make the plan easier to follow. Keep salt moderate, especially if you have high blood pressure.

There is no reliable figure, because the GM diet has not been studied. Much of the early loss is water and stored carbohydrate, which usually returns when you eat normally again.

Go back to regular, balanced meals: plenty of vegetables and fruit, a protein food at each meal, whole grains, and some healthy fats. Introduce portions gradually rather than all at once.

We do not recommend repeating it back to back. For further weight loss, a moderate plan you can keep up for months works better and avoids long periods of very low protein and nutrient intake.

Some weight will usually return in the first days after the plan, because water held with stored carbohydrate comes back. Keeping off fat loss depends on what you eat in the weeks and months afterwards.

Not during the seven days. They are nutritious but calorie-dense, so add small portions back after the plan.

Paneer, tofu, sprouted moong and soya chunks work on days 5 and 6. The original vegetarian version uses a cup of brown rice. See the vegetarian plan for details.

No. Processed meats, packaged snacks and fast food are high in salt, sugar and fat and do not fit any day of the plan.

Not without medical advice. The plan includes a lot of fruit and six bananas on day 4, and sudden changes in carbohydrate intake can affect blood sugar and diabetes medication.

There is no reliable evidence that it did. The plan’s origin is unknown.