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Lemonade Diet
The lemonade diet is a detoxification program written by the late Stanley Burroughs. The diet – called the “The Master Cleanser” was written in the 1940s and continues to be popular to this day. The current version was published in 1976 and is simply a 50 page booklet outlining the diet.
The Master Cleanser
This dietary regime is strictly a cleansing diet. Weight loss will occur, but it is not to be equated with fat loss. Much of the weight that is lost will be from fluid and water retention. Indeed, the book states that at least 1/2 the weight will come back on after completing the diet. Many people incorrectly use this for fast weight loss. This is not what the diet is intended for.
Detox diets such as the lemonade diet are not for the faint-hearted. They are difficult to follow – typically because we are so addicted to food. People experience varying degrees of success as their body begins to flush itself of toxins – but the first few days are hardest. Some only use the lemonade diet for 4-5 days, while others take it out to 2 weeks.
People report an enormous number of health benefits – relief of arthritic symptoms, infections, pain, gout, and many more.
A typical herbal detox will do the following:
- Dissolves and eliminates toxins that have formed in any part of the body
- Cleanse kidneys and digestive system
- Purifies the glands and cells
- Eliminate waste and hardened material in joints and muscles
- Relieves pressure and irritation in nerves, arteries and blood vessels
Lemonade Diet Sample
- 60 oz spring water per day (spread over 6 10 oz glasses)
- 12 tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
- 12 tablespoons freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
- a little over half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or 1/10 tsp. per glass) or to taste
The only other foods consumed is a laxative tea (”Smooth Move”) twice a day, and a saline (sea salt) wash. The laxative may be required due to the lack of fiber in the diet that may lead to constipation.
Breaking the Fast
This must be done gently, by easing your way back into solid food. Vegetable soup is a good starter, and fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be started until the second day out of the juice fast.
Before doing the lemonade diet, Stanley Burroughs book (see below) is a must-read.
Try some of these light recipes when coming off the program.
See Also
The Master Cleanser – by Stanley Burroughs.
im starting this ten days before thanksgiving
i am excited , i’ve only heard good things ♥
I am on my second day. i feel fine..
Im 15 and last checked weighed 140. my goal weight is to be 115/120….i started the diet today. surprisingly its filling…but im facing temptation rite now. my fam is making lots of food eating candy rite now :/ i dnt have a scale so im worried i wnt be able to keep trackk. but im guna try!!
I’ve been in pig out mode all week because school and work have been out due to the hurricane. I’ve already eaten a ton of food today but I decided to start dieting today anyway. I actually cheated on this first batch by adding two pureed strawberries. It’s delicious but I added a bit too much cayenne. Wish me luck and good luck to everyone else.
Okay, this is day 3 and I MISS food immensely, BUT, I am not hungry and feel great. I am going for 30 days!!!! Read the book people, so you can fully EDUCATE yourself on the subject.
Hi everyone. I’m currently 5 ft 2 inches 180 lbs and I’ve never been thin in my life. I honestly just want to be healthy because I have asthma. I’m really excited about trying this diet and would love to have some support or even better……… a friend
Does the lemonade drink taste gross ?
Thk u all for gd words am gona start my diet and i v op tht am gone cut sm pounds and reduce health problems.Good luck every one on this diet.I will cm bak when i finish the diet
I just prepared all the ingredients in multiple nelgene bottles, i will drink the tea in a couple of minutes and start tomorrow. I am excited about it.
I am intersted in starting this cleanse for the cleansing purpose (not to lose weight). I am concerned as I am insulin resistant, if I don’t eat a small meal every 2 or 3 hours I become light headed and sometimes faint. Does anyone know how this detoz affects your blood sugar and insulin levels? Have any diabetics tried it?
I will pray for you McWife. You can do it. And don’t forget the immense pride and self of accomplishment for doing this for 10 days. Do try to do the 10 for the benefits of your sacrifice.
And if you miss food it is easy to ponder those who miss food indefinitely in their lives. Ten days is not too long or very long at all. I just started my fall lemonade cleanse. I do it twice annually. At this point in my life I cannot imagine not doing it to keep healthy. And I am normal: I miss food, get irritable, etc but it is sooooo worth the trouble!
I don’t understand when do you add the sea salt?
I tried this diet for 3 days last week n lost 5 lbs water weight. I had low blood sugar on the morning of the 4th day, so I decided to eat a little fruit to help get rid of the bad feeling. However, I felt better after taking the fruit, but couldn’t stop eating for the whole day. These 2 days I’ve been eating a lot and I know it’s not good. I’ll start the diet again tomorrow. I know it’ll be much harder than the 1st time cuz I don’t feel as motivated n excited as the 1st time. But I’d like to give it a try, and I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing. For those who’s going to do this, plz remember to take enough lemonade to keep your energy level, and don’t give up in the middle, not just a TINY BITE!
HELLO TODAY IS MY FIRST DAY ON THE DIET.. I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT BUT I GOING TO DO WITH IT.. FROM READING EVERYONES COMMENTS, YOU ARE ALL DOING GOOD KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.. MY GOAL IS TO LOOSE WEIGHT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY TO MAKE THIS A LIFE CHANGINE EXPERIENCE.. HEY GUYS REMEMBER MIND OVER MATTER.. I WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST OF LUCK.. I WILL CHECK IN AFTER MY THIRD DAY…….
So glad others have gone b4 me! I start today. Didn’t realize when a friend motivated me what I was getting in. Thanks Gym Jones! I went to Barnes & Noble and bought the Master Cleanser to “do it right” and I brought home a healthy cookbook to add to my twenty or so others. The difference being I scan those for special occasions and “cook” what I know. My family will know longer be doing steak every Friday and the pound of butter I have always cooked with will be replaced for flaxseed oil etc. I checked the BMI checkers and I am 170 now,my target weight for my height should be between 125-130. Pray for me and I’ll pray for you!
sugar cane juice is a great substitute…i live in the islands so that’s what i use…
this is the end of day 4…and i’m feeling great in my body..cravings and hunger pangs have diappeared…even though i miss food (i must admit it’s a bit monotonous..but if u want good you have to sacrifice and nothing good comes easy)…i have not checked my weight but i have fit into clothes that could not fit b fore.i really feel energized….this diet also gives me a calm relaxed feeling esp. when i take the salt water bath in the mornings…if you are depressed i recommend this diet….it’s really worth the try….and now i’m convinced i want to adjust my lifestyle to be healthier…
Guard wife and Unhappy – hang in there. I wear rubber gloves when cooking and serving. I also put leftovers away asap. Keep your drink close by so that you will take a drink instead of a taste. I’m on day 6.
If you can’t do the salt water flush, just drink a laxative tea first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Any Senna tea will work. Grade B maple syrup is a must. It has more minerals in it.
I am starting the diet today. Hopefully this works. For me it will be mind over matter.
I can’t find grade B maple syrup anywhere any substitutes like grade A or any suggestions to where I can find grade B? please help
I forgot to mention I noticed i am peeing alot, but not number 2’s is this normal?
Thanks
Hi i am on my 3rd day and loving the stuff, my clothes feel so much looser. Plus I actually have more energy. I think so far i have lost about 3pounds if not more. Just in two days. I really love the drink.
I am planning to start this detox soon. How often do you go to the bathroom? and what is a good site where i can gather all the ingredients for 10 days and instructions for the detox?
almost done w day 4. Yest n today were difficult. Running fever n conjested. I’ve read that this is possible due to the toxins being released. It’s difficult to exercise like normal. It takes everything I have to do 20-30 min of cardio when I normally do an hr. I actually have not lost ANY weight yet! I’m mainly doing it to detox. I think if u detox it will help u in the future. Oh ya, u can use a herbal colon cleanse (found at any health food store) instead of tea. Caution, don’t chug the salt water. U will throw it up like I did on day 3! And u can buy cayanne pepper capsules which make it taste much better. I can feel the pepper pill about 30 min after I take one. It’s an odd sensation. The book advises that u to this for a MIN of 10days. 10 days will b enough 4me! Fingers crossed:)
I have done this diet before and lost 40lb in 3 months and it was great I kept it off for two years now I’m starting again tomorrow I’m 135lb 5’7 and my goal is 120lb
This stuff tastes horrible and the salt water flush almost made me puke. and im so hungry. I really hope this pays off in the end….
before starting this detox, what are you supposed to eat in the days before to prepare yourself?
I am starting the diet today, I am so excited i really need to clean my system out. I have found the cayenne pepper is hot, maybe i put in to much? Can I add more water to it?
Thanks 09/08/2008
I must say this cleanse really works. Over the past 2 years I have tried the cleanse more than 4 times. Lasting no longer than 7 days. When I was going to Vegas in December, I went on the cleanse and lost inches and I felt great. Each time I get off of the cleanse my weight piles back on with a vengeance. Like someone has already stated, this is a cleanse not a diet. Once you are off please eat right, exercise which is something I have not done myself. I tried to start it again but I truly don’t think I will be able to ever do this cleanse again as I really have to eat. This is a lifestyle change and if I want to lose the weight and keep it off. I have to eat right and exercise, but the cleanse is a good way to start I must say. Good luck to you all.
Started the detox/diet today. Hey, Guards Wife, good luck. I’m in the same boat you are. Kids & hubby need to get fed and I’m the chef. It really puts me on edge. All I’m looking for is a kick start. Lose a few on this and then I’ll be able to go work out in public. Stay strong, we can do it…
Current 150 – Goal on this drink 140 Total goal 130. I’ll keep updated…
i did the cleanse for the first time in march and lost 9lbs in 7 days. i felt great and looked even better. i did it again a few months later to get ready for a vacation and only lasted 5 days. since then, i have not been able to get a grip on my eating habits. im eating for comfort and coz of depression. started the cleanse last week, but still continue to binge. starting again tomorrow and hopefully i can stick to it by reading all your great successes!!! trying for 7 days. 139lbs today
ON day 4 and lost 10 lbs and feel good
I am going for it. I will give this a try mostly for the detox. If I can lose a few pds while I’m at it great. I’ll check in soon.
hi tomorrow i start the diet. i’m terrified that i won’t be able to do it.simply b/c i have to cook for the hubby and kids and it’s gonna be so hard not to taste! wish me luck plzzz. right now i am 213 my goal is 175 and it get lower but for now that’s the goal to reach
Im on day 4. Lost nothing. Anyone actualy loose any inches doing this?
I believe that we need to also remember that our bodies need to right amount of exercise and nutrition to be healthy. That’s the whole point is to detox and stay healthy. I see how today’s society we concentrate on being thinner then healthier. I can’t wait till I’ve completed this and I have lost 10 lbs. in 3 1/2 days. Live life.
When I went to Mexico in January, and its September now, I got an intestinal infection and was put on cipro for a week. It was really bad at first, but is slowly getting better. Still my body does not feel the same. Would going through this kind of detox help my body and GI track feel better or make it worse?
I wish people were seeking this more for the detox benefits than the weight loss! The truth of it is that ONLY heathy eating and regular exercise will slim you down and KEEP you slim! Dont forget that!! I’m on day 3, feel great overall. Definitely been hungry, somtimes tired, but good overall. I have lost 8 lbs in 2 days. Started at 149 (5′9″). I’ve kept up with yoga, pilates, and walking but am going to hold off on my running till I am done.
I am going to start this diet, I do no usually eat much. I notice that I have gain a lot of weight lately, and it become very hard to get ride of it, so I will try this diet to see..
Hello everybody! First of all sorry for my English..
Today is my first day on this diet. I’ve 132 lb and 5.7 high and I wish to be in 123-125 lb. But loosing weight is not my main goal. First of all I’d like to loose my bad habbits to eat fast foods and sweets when I’m nerves. And of couse is cleaning.
But there’s still thing that makes me worry.. What is going to happen after? Is my metabolism is going to become much slowlier so I’ll gain more weight after all even if I do work-out and eat well balansed healthy food? What about luck of vitamins during this diet? Will it affect my hair and nails?
OK so my husband has been doing the diet thing and has lost about 13 lbs with a regular low calorie diet but he has hit a stand still so I suggested a different way to lose it fast hence this lemonade diet it really seems insane to me He needs to lose weight so he can join the air force he excercises daily at least an hour keeping his target heart rate usually a half hour on excercise bike and half on treadmill should he slow it down some on this diet ? thanks for your time in reading this i’ll check in for advice good luck to all
I just started today. Im using this as a spiritual fast to renew my peace of mind. I would also like lose weight. I will keep you posted.
im starting today ,200 going for 175 wish me luck
this is not my first time, but i am on day 6 hoping to last about 21 days so far I have not felt a difference but for sure by day 9 I would see and feel the difference actually I prefer for someone to tell me that I convince myself
Hi all! I’m starting my lemonade diet tomorrow. I am afraid I won’t last for 10 days but reading all the comments here, it gave me a boost!! I shall report for any progress I make! wish me luck!
i 14 and i start the diet on monday i hoping i can make it 40 day and my weight is 278 right now i’m hoping to get down to 200 by the end of the skool year use this diet and the 21 pounds in 21 day diet and go back ang forded until i get to me goal weight so we will see well i ill. wish me go luck bye for now:)
To those asking if you can drink or eat ANYTHING else while on the MC, the answer is NO!! No fruits, no veggies, no drinking alcohol, no nothing except the lemonade.
Hi, I am started the lemonade diet 2day and was wondering if i can use lemon juice in the bottle if limes are not available?
i am 19 and i am trying to feel better about my self and i think this diet will help in more than just one way. so Lemonade Diet here I Come!
Wish Me luck