Madeleine Hull
The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a liquid-only cleanse regime consisting of a lemonade-like beverage, salt water, and herbal laxative tea. The diet was created by naturopath and alternative medicine practitioner Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s and became popular in the 2000s after celebrities used it. The cleanse is usually done over a 10-day period, although some people extend it to up to 40 days. During the cleanse, you drink a beverage made of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper, and you also sip on salt water and herbal tea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10-40 days |
| Calories | 110 per serving |
| Number of servings | At least 6 per day |
| Ingredients | Lemon juice, maple syrup, water, cayenne pepper, salt, herbal tea |
| Equipment | Juicer or blender (optional) |
| Preparation | Eliminate unhealthy foods for 4-5 days before starting |
| Transition | Gradually add back foods after the cleanse |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your body for the fast
The Master Cleanse is a strict and intense liquid diet that can be challenging for those who are unprepared. To prepare your body for the fast, it is recommended that you “ease in” over a period of four to five days before beginning the actual lemonade diet. Here is a day-by-day breakdown of how to prepare:
Day 1 – Eliminate Unhealthy Foods: On the first day, start by developing a heightened awareness of the foods you choose. Focus on fresh, raw, and organic whole foods while eliminating processed foods, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.
Day 2 – Continue Eliminating Unhealthy Foods: On the second day, continue to abstain from processed foods, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. Opt for fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and try to eat as much of your food raw as possible.
Day 3 – Get Used to a Liquid Diet: On the third day, transition to a liquid diet, including smoothies, pureed soups, broths, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Day 4 – Liquid Diet and Orange Juice: On the fourth day, continue with the liquid diet and introduce fresh-squeezed orange juice. Add maple syrup to the juice as needed for additional calories. Drink laxative tea before bed to prepare your body for the cleanse.
Day 5 – Start the Master Cleanse: On the fifth day, you can officially start the Master Cleanse. Your calories will now come from a homemade lemon-maple-cayenne beverage, also known as "lemonade." Consume at least six servings of this beverage per day. In addition, drink one quart of warm salt water each morning to stimulate bowel movements. Herbal laxative teas are also recommended.
Remember, the Master Cleanse is a very strict and low-calorie diet that lacks many important nutrients. It is not recommended by mainstream medical and nutrition experts for weight loss. Always consult with a doctor or trusted health professional before starting any new diet or cleanse.
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Make the lemonade
The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a liquid-only cleanse regime consisting of a lemonade-like beverage, salt water, and herbal laxative tea. The cleanse usually lasts for 10 days, with some extending it to 40 days.
To make the lemonade, you will need:
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons per glass of lemonade)
- Pure maple syrup (about 2 tablespoons per glass of lemonade)
- Cayenne pepper (about 2/3 teaspoon per day)
- Water
Combine these ingredients in a glass and mix well. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste. It is recommended to drink at least six glasses of this lemonade per day, or whenever you feel hungry.
In addition to the lemonade, the Master Cleanse also involves drinking a quart of salt water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is followed by sipping herbal laxative tea throughout the day and before bed to encourage bowel movements.
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Sip on salt water
The Master Cleanse diet, also known as the Lemonade Diet, involves drinking a beverage made of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper for 10 or more days. It also involves sipping on salt water and herbal tea.
The diet claims that you will cleanse or "detox" your body of harmful toxins, lose weight, and feel happier and healthier. However, there is no scientific proof that these types of detox diets work, and they are very low in calories and important nutrients such as protein and healthy fats.
The salt water drink is intended to flush your body and stimulate bowel movements. It is recommended to drink one quart of warm salt water each morning. To make the saltwater drink, mix two teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt with lukewarm water. If elimination does not occur, you can increase the amount of salt, and if it is too forceful, you can reduce the salt-to-water ratio.
The Master Cleanse diet is a strict daily regimen, and it is important to consult a doctor or trusted health professional before following any dietary recommendations.
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Drink herbal tea
Drinking herbal tea is an important part of the Master Cleanse diet. The diet is a liquid-only cleanse regime consisting of a lemonade-like beverage, salt water, and herbal tea. The herbal tea is typically a laxative tea, such as senna, which aids the body's natural elimination process and encourages bowel movements.
Before beginning the Master Cleanse, it is recommended to prepare your body by gradually adjusting your diet. This includes eliminating unhealthy foods, such as processed foods, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, and increasing your intake of raw, whole foods. During this preparation phase, drinking herbal laxative tea can help ease your body into the cleanse.
On the days that you are following the Master Cleanse, you will typically drink a beverage made of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper. This lemonade drink is the primary source of calories and nutrients during the cleanse. In addition to this, you will also drink salt water and herbal tea. The herbal tea is usually sipped on throughout the day and taken before bed to encourage bowel movements.
After completing the Master Cleanse, it is important to gradually ease back into a normal diet. This includes drinking herbal tea, along with fruit juice, lemon water, and blended soups, before reintroducing solid foods.
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Ease out of the cleanse
The Master Cleanse is a strict and radical diet change that involves consuming only a liquid beverage of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper for 10 or more days. It is important to ease out of this cleanse gradually to avoid serious digestive problems.
On the first day after the Master Cleanse, drink freshly-squeezed fruit juice, lemon water, and herbal tea. On the second day, you can incorporate blended soups for easier digestion. On the third day, you can finally start eating solid food, sticking primarily to fresh produce. You can also drink half a cup of coffee if you're craving it. On the fourth day, you can resume normal eating, but it is recommended to avoid meat, dairy, added sugar, and processed foods.
It is important to note that the Master Cleanse is not backed by scientific research and may not be a healthy long-term solution for weight loss or health. It is always a good idea to consult with a doctor or trusted health professional before starting any new diet or cleanse.
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