Directions for the Lemonade Cleanse

Only fresh lemons are recommended for the Lemonade Diet.

Also known as the "Master Cleanse," the Lemonade Diet was invented by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s. Popular with celebrities, the Lemonade Diet is intended to rid the body of the toxins that processed food and stress can create, but is largely used for weight loss. The strict liquid diet is made up of three phases designed to ease the body into detoxification and a healthier lifestyle.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons organic maple syrup
• 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 8 ounces filtered water

Instructions

1. Prepare the body and mind for the main phase of the Lemonade Diet. The diet includes a three-day ease-in period where solid foods are gradually fazed out. On the first day, remove all processed foods, meat and dairy from the diet. On the second day, drink only juices or soups and broths. On the third day, drink only orange juice.

2. Begin the Lemonade Diet on the fourth day. Mix the lemonade drink using the ingredients listed under "Things You'll Need." Make and consume the drink six to 12 times a day, depending on your calorie needs and hunger level. You may also drink filtered water throughout the day. No solid foods can be eaten while in this phase of the diet.

3. Take two senna laxatives per day, one in the morning and one at night. As an alternative to the morning laxative, you may also do a salt water flush. This consists of mixing 1 tablespoon of sea salt with 1 liter of room temperature filtered water. The salt water flush will have the same effect on the body as a laxative.

4. Follow the main phase of the Lemonade Diet for four to 14 days. The last day of the diet will depend on your personal goals and tolerance level.

5. End the cleanse by easing back into normal eating. The ease-out phase of the diet is the same as the ease-in phase, but in reverse. Start by drinking only orange juice, moving to other juices and soups or broths, then begin eating solid, healthy foods again.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk with a physician before beginning any weight loss or detox program.

• The Lemonade Diet is a fast. According to WebMD, it can cause feelings of nausea, dizziness, fatigue and more.

References

• Lemon Diet Recipe
• The Master Cleanse
• WebMD; The Lemonade Diet (Master Cleanse)
• Mother Nature Network: 7 celebrity detox diets: Master Cleanse

Resources

• WebMD: Healthy Eating & Diet Center