Lemonade diet

The Lemonade Diet is the basis of the Master Cleanse fasting system, and it has become very popular in Hollywood. It was created by Stanley Burroughs, a now deceased naturopath. He created it to assist people in fasting and ridding their body of toxins.

In addition to the toxins released and removed by the Lemonade Diet, Burroughs also found that his diet could remove hardened materials that had deposited themselves in joints, it made the bloodstreams healthier of those who went on the diet, it helped them maintain normal blood pressure and helped them to lose weight. As with any other fast, it also cleanses the kidneys and digestive system and purifies glands.

The Lemonade Diet is a ten to forty day diet. During the diet you drink and eat nothing but a concoction of lemonade spiked with maple syrup and cayenne pepper. There is no sugar in the recipe (other than the sugars in the maple syrup) and the lemon juice in the recipe can be replaced by lime juice. Some people do experience constipation while on the diet, so there is a tea with herbal laxatives recommended within the diet that contains no calories and can help relieve the bowels.

According to the diet’s website, users will lose up to two pounds per day without any harmful side effects. Other media outlets state that some who have followed the diet have experienced side effects such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fainting. The proponents of the diet attribute these symptoms to the toxins that have been released by the kidneys and glands and that are now in the blood stream, waiting to be flushed out.

Dieters are encouraged to drink water consistently while on the diet, but no food or drink other than the tea and lemonade can be taken. Some who’ve tried the cleanse mention that it can cause halitosis. The website does not mention whether or not sugar free gum is acceptable.

Once you have been on the diet, feel cleansed and have lost some weight, there is a process to returning back to normal food. The diet is thought to break your addictions to sugar and fast food, so it is suggested you keep your diet wholesome even after you’ve transitioned back to regular foods.

Your first and second day off the diet, you will be restricted to drinking several 8 ounce glasses of orange juice. The third day off of the diet and you will be allowed to eat some raw fruits and veggies along with the 8 ounces of orange juice. Once you have passed your third day off the diet, you are allowed to eat normally but you are encouraged to eat a diet consisting of fruits, seeds and nuts for the remainder of your days.

There is no scientific evidence that the diet works, and there is no history of any clinical studies. The Food and Drug Administration has not released any information regarding the Lemonade Diet. The diet’s intention is to cleanse your body, and it markets its weight loss powers as a side benefit. Unless you change your eating habits permanently after you stop the Lemonade Diet, chances are you will gain the weight back in no time.

Curious about the recipe? Here it is:

  • 2 Tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) of fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice (approximately 1/2 lemon). Do not use bottled lemon or lime juice as it may contain sugars or other additives.
  • 2 Tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) of organic Grade B maple syrup,.
  • 1/10 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper (hot red pepper).
  • 1 Cup (8 fluid ounces) of purified or spring water.

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Last updated on Feb 25th, 2010 and filed under Healthy Eating. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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