Lemonade Diet: The Master Cleanse

Hey everyone! In a recent post I mentioned little ways that I slim down before an event or vacation and a review on The Master Cleanse was requested so here it is!

WHAT IT IS

Traditionally The Master Cleanse is a 10 (or 40) day process that helps to cleanse your system of toxins and boost health and metabolism but to be honest you could probably achieve similar results by eating only raw, organic vegetables and drinking kombucha for a week.

There are three components: a salt water flush, laxative and lemonade blend.

The lemonade is a blend of purified water, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and fresh lemon juice. For a single serving 8 ounces of water, 2 tablespoons each of maple syrup and lemon juice and cayenne pepper to taste, at least a dash, are needed.

HOW YOU DO IT

You want to ease yourself in and out the master cleanse, like getting in and out of bed after leg day.

Phase 1: phasing out processed, prepared food and junk out of your diet. This is usually the first day of the cleanse.

Phase 2: phasing solids out of your diet takes place on day two.

Phase 3: consuming only water and the lemonade blend begins on day three and lasts until day eight or nine.

Phase 4: easing back into eating basic food, soups and broths happens on the last day or two of the cleanse.

If you are a calorie counter it is quite simple to calculate the calories of the lemonade blend and estimate how many servings of lemonade needed to meet daily calorie requirements. If you are feeling mildly hungry and are in the first couple days of the cleanse, try anything with high water content like celery, cucumber, watermelon or grapes.

The lemonade blend can be made with either lemons or limes.  You can make a larger batch and portion it out throughout the day but it is best freshly made. It is important to use wholesome ingredients such as organic lemons and Grade B maple syrup, which is the darkest and least refined syrup available for purchase. As this is a cleanse using all natural, unrefined ingredients helps the body to wholly purify.

In my experience half of a mid-size lemon contains 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Try rolling the lemon on a hard surface with light to medium pressure to evenly distribute the juice inside. It is best to squeeze the juice when the lemon is at room temperature so the enzymes will be active.

Through my experience I am good at eyeballing all the quantities needed but I recommend using a reusable cup with ounce markings to make the process easy. After you make it a few times you will be able to tell if it was made right just by looking at the color or tasting the sweetness versus bitterness.

RESULTS & WHAT TO EXPECT

I personally did not do the salt water flush but from my research I have found that it does play an important role in flushing out the body. In place of a laxative I drank green tea or dieter’s tea with general success.

The very first time I did the cleanse I only managed to last about 8 days but I did lose 8-9 pounds. That’s huge for me! (I’m about 5’5 and at the time my starting weight was about 168). Personally I would advise that if you have attempted this cleanse before but failed, consider trying again. Now having completed The Master cleanse upwards of 5 times I can say that it does become less challenging with experience.

The first time I tried The Master Cleanse I felt as if I was dying and going crazy. It was especially challenging for a foodie like me to think that I wasn’t eating anything. Even so, this cleanse is not starvation; you are still consuming calories and your body is still absorbing all the nutrients it needs.

What I experienced was lethargy on the first day of lemonade only. Then my body made a complete 180 and I felt supremely energized. I did notice clearer skin. My metabolism and digestion were at an all time high so be careful and make sure you’re near a bathroom! If you are sensitive to acid it can cause you to develop canker sores in your mouth and the juice blend causes a buildup of plaque on your teeth and tongue.

I would start and end my day with a cup of hot dieters tea and typically drink about five servings of lemonade daily. I found the taste of the lemonade to be quite pleasant. To maintain balance I would usually alternate drinking a serving of lemonade and 16 ounces of water. You still want to drink plenty of water during this process.

Pamper yourself and enhance your lifestyle during this process. This is to say that if you get an average of 6 hours of sleep each night, during the cleanse it will be more beneficial for you to sleep 8. With regards to physical activity, if you do not exercise frequently you don’t want to overdo it and exert yourself. Your system is being shocked and you do not want to hurt your body.

I love local shopping and farmer’s markets so I tend not to buy my lemons in bulk. I usually buy enough to last until the next farmer’s market or a couple of days. This means I use about three lemons a day. You can include the lemon pulp in your lemonade if you enjoy the texture, or try blending half lemon juice and half lime juice for some variety.

I feel that doing The Master Cleanse once a year is good for most people. For me I like to start each season with this cleanse. It makes me feel fresh, energized and awake. It boosts my stamina and helps me make healthier eating choices after the cleanse is over. I would recommend trying it. It’s a good way to test yourself and at the very least a learning experience.

Caution: Do not try this if you’re a binge eater or you subscribe to extreme eating and dieting habits. This process should be gradual and eased into, done with your maximum health in mind.