Lemonade Diet: Risks, Benefits & A Sustainable Alternative

The Lemonade Diet, also known as "The Master Cleanse," is a detoxification program that was created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s. This juice fast is purported to clean the body to help combat sickness, chronic conditions, excess weight and digestive problems. People on the Lemonade Diet eat nothing and drink only water and a specially formulated lemonade -- consisting of water, organic maple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice and cayenne pepper -- for 10 to 40 days. Once the diet is complete, solid food must be gradually introduced back into their systems in order to avoid illness, digestive problems, stomach cramps and/or nausea.

Instructions

• 1

  Drink pure fruit juice and water for at least a week after the diet. Do not drink soda, coffee or sugar-based drinks.

• 2

  Eat nothing but vegetable broth for one day after ending the juice fast.

• 3

  Eat vegetable broth on the second day and introduce one or two servings of raw fruits and/or vegetables back into your diet.

• 4

  Increase your raw fruit and vegetable intake gradually over the course of five or six days. This will allow your digestive system time to adjust to the changes in your diet. You can continue to eat vegetable broth throughout this period.

• 5

  Begin to introduce other solid foods back into your diet. Make healthy choices and avoid junk food for at least a week. Also, eat slowly and listen to your body. If you begin to feel sick or full, stop eating.