The Master Cleanse Diet, also known as the Lemonade Diet, has been around for more than half a century. It has become popular in recent years because of various celebrities touting its weight loss benefits. Beyonce Knowles, performer and wife of rapper Jay-Z, proclaimed to the media how she had lost over twenty pounds following the diet in preparation for a movie role.
The Master Cleanse Diet was developed by Stanley Burroughs. His original intention was to rid the body of toxins due to poor diet, lack of exercise, and negative emotions. It was not intended to be a weight loss program until fairly recently.
The Master Cleanse Diet is swift and severe. Participants consume a concoction made up of lemon juice. The benefits of the Master Cleanse, as stated by its proponents, include:
- Weight loss of up to 20 pounds
- Decrease or elimination of chronic pain
- Energy increase
- Better skin
Many people are willing to take drastic measures to lose weight. The Master Cleanse taps right into that mindset by asking people to stop eating for ten days straight. You will obviously lose weight on this diet because of the severe calorie restriction, but it will be mostly water weight.
Nutritional experts point out that the Master Cleanse should not be used as a long-term, viable weight loss solution because it is seriously lacking in the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed to function.
Exercise is not a part of the Master Cleanse. Trying to exercise on a starvation diet is highly dangerous. Individuals who attempt to work out during the ten day program are putting themselves at great risk.
Master Cleanse Recipe
The Master Cleanse concoction is made up of the following ingredients:
- Two tbs. of fresh lemon juice
- Two tbs. of grade B maple syrup
- 1/10 tsp. of cayenne pepper
- Ten ounces of filtered water (bottled or filtered – tap water is discouraged)
No food or even supplements are allowed on the Master Cleanse. You are required to consume the “magic” elixir only. The diet calls for six servings per day. The Master Cleanse can be followed anywhere from four to fourteen days at a time.
The two exceptions to the diet are a salt water mixture in the morning or an herbal tea at night. The herbal tea is used for laxative purposes due to the constipation that may set in.
As you can see, the master Cleanse is nothing more than a liquid fast. It creates a HUGE caloric deficit that does result in weight loss. Chances are the weight is water and muscle – not the fat that you want to get rid of around your waist, hips, and thighs. It will reduce the “puffiness” that many people have in their body because of excess sodium and water retention. The Master Cleanse is very effective in that regard.
It should be noted that during the Master Cleanse you will experience bouts of severe hunger. Many people also experience headaches, fatigue, sluggishness, dizziness, diarrhea, and constipation.
Proponents of the Master Cleanse claim that the diet will rid your body of years of build-up and waste. However, health care professionals and nutrition experts point out that the liver does a great job of detoxifying the body already. They also say that there is no scientific evidence that fasting and cleansing gets rid of any additional toxins from your body.
Master Cleanse Shopping List
The Master Cleanse does not require a lot of time. It is convenient because you do not have to count points or wade through menu plans and food lists. You also save a lot of time because you are not cooking food. Below is a list of the ingredients you will need to complete 10 days of the Master Cleanse.
- 50 organic lemons
- Two bottles of 64 ounce grade B organic maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup)
- One bottle of cayenne pepper
- One thousand ounces of distilled water
- Small container of sea salt
- Laxatives
- Decaffeinated herbal tea
- Tablespoons and teaspoons
- Lemon juicer
- Food scale
- Journal
The Master Cleanse requires very specific foods that can be found at most grocery stores. You may have to get the maple syrup at a health food store.
Preparing and ending the Master Cleanse is important too. It is recommended to eat a very healthy diet void of high sugar and fat foods for the few days preceding the Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse is such a shock to the system that going from a very poor diet to drinking only lemon juice can cause severe reactions such as diarrhea.
Once you are finished with your Master Cleanse cycle it is recommended that you move slowly back into eating solid foods. Many people make the mistake of binging because they have been deprived of their favorite foods. The worst thing you could do is to go out and order a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke. This too will shock your system and can cause serious water retention and diarrhea. Binging long enough will result in gaining back all of the weight lost while on the cleanse.
It is recommended that you eat small meals filled with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. You have to ease your way back into eating for the next week.
Pros and Cons of the Master Cleanse
Pros
- Easy to follow
- Convenient
- Quick weight loss results
- Short duration
Cons
- Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, hunger, fatigue, etc
- Not recommended by health experts
- Short-term solution to weight loss only
- Severe calorie restriction
Conclusion
The Master Cleanse is an effective way to lose water weight quickly. It should not be viewed as a way of life, and should only be done on occasion. Talk with your doctor before going on the Master Cleanse.
