What is it?
The Lemonade Diet is a weight loss fad diet that claims it can detoxify and cleanse the body. It’s also known as the Master Cleanse Diet, and it became popularized by the celebrity Beyoncé who also used it.
Only liquids are allowed and it claims it’s able to promote an improved digestive system for more energy, vitality, happiness, and overall health improvement. It was originally mentioned in a book but there have been numerous variations on this diet. Our review experts have researched many different dietsand the most effective for weight loss was found to be the 18Shake Diet. It combines an appetite suppressing meal replacement alongside a fat burning diet pill. Both have natural ingredients with no cheap fillers, stimulants, colors, preservatives, or artificial additives. Read more about the benefits of the 18Shake Diet by clicking the link here.
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Lemonade Diet Ingredients and Side Effects
For 10 days the goal is to only drink the following:
• Salt water mixture: 2 full tablespoons of non-iodized salt and a one quart of slightly warm water. First thing in the morning one has to drink this on a completely empty stomach.
• Lemonade drink: 10 ounces of spring or purified water are mixed alongside 2 tablespoons of either lemon or lime juice, a tenth of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. A minimum of 6 to 12 glasses need to be drank each day.
• A laxative or peppermint tea: The herbal laxative is needed for those who can’t have a normal bowel movement. It’s preferably drunk before bedtime in order for it to process fully by the body. Peppermint tea is also recommended as it can help reduce any bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea.
Under no circumstancesare there any other kinds of food allowed. This is to properly detoxify the body so it can flush out toxins and rejuvenate itself. After the full 10 days are done and weight loss results are achieved, it’s then advised to slowly introduce light foods such as soup, juice, raw fruits, and raw vegetables.
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It’s mentioned that side effects are possible, and that’s why they allow for peppermint tea and the laxatives. Possible side effects revealed by the official diet are:
• Nausea, food cravings, headaches boredom, nausea, and lack of a normal bowel movement.
It’s claimed that these kinds of side effects are normal, as it’s the body flushing out harmful toxins. This is not proven however. These same kinds of symptoms are possible from eating a diet that is rich in sugary maple syrup, acidic lemon or lime juice, and a diet high in sodium. It may also be due to the lack of sufficientvitamins and minerals.
A Dr. Hansa Bhargava adds:
“If weight loss is your goal, it may work temporarily. Anytime you limit your food intake, especially this drastically, you will lose some weight”
Other issues mentioned by the doctor are:
“problem is, you will losemuscle mass. This diet puts you at risk for nutritional deficiencies, too”
As far as sustained weight loss the doctor saw no benefit:
“you will likely gain the weight back really quickly once you start eating normally”
These are serious issues which show that this diet has not enough nutrition, calories, and an unlikelihood of promoting positive weight loss results. This is why this fad diet has not been proven to be safe and effective. The doctor finally recommends:
“it is better to lose weight gradually with a balanced diet that makes sure you get the nutrients you need. Cross this one off your list”
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Exercise is not mentioned by this diet, but it's unlikely with a 650 calorie limit that it would be advised. Health US News.com adds:
“it may even be dangerous to exercise when you’re consuming so few calories. Ask your doctor before exercising while (on this diet)”
This can also potentially make it difficult to perform regular tasks as the caloric demands for both men and women are around 2,000. The Lemonade Diet offers less than half of the advised daily amount for maintenance and proper physical functions. This can potentially lead to issues such as fatigue and brain fog.
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Lemonade Diet Quality of Ingredients
While lemon or lime juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup can be healthy in moderation, relying on theingredients for weight loss is not a good way to lose weight. There are far too many potential issues with this mixture, as it does not have enough vitamins and minerals.
There’s also a need for laxatives in order to promote a bowel movement, as no solid foods are allowed on this diet. The fact that one cannot rely on their own body for a natural process shows how potentially unsafe this diet is.
There’s also a salt flush which can contain a large amount of sodium which can promote water weight gain. The extreme limit by eating only 650 calories is also another issue which can cause many side effects.
Better options for weight loss are available via the list of the top ranked weight loss diets.
The Price and Quality of Lemonade Diet
The price will likely be cheap since the bulk of the diet is limited and relies on the same basic foods. Howeverthere’s no evidence that sustaining oneself on these kinds of foods would be safe and effective for weight loss. Health experts have also agreed that this is simply another fad diet lacking in sufficient nutrition and calories.
Due to the many potentially side effects which can damage the body, there’s far too much risk involved with this diet.
Business of Lemonade Diet
The diet was first mentioned in a book called the “The Master Cleanse” which was published in 1976 by Stanley Burroughs. The creator has not provided any proof showing whether or not this is a safe and effective diet.
He has also been charged in many lawsuits for proving false and ineffective nutrition and health advice. He was a specialist in natural medicine, which is a field of medicine which his not accepted in the medical community.
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EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of Lemonade Diet
Featured below are some reviews from users of the Lemonade Diet:
“This diet is very restrictive”
“I was miserable. I had no energy… felt like I wassuffering from a rare disorder”
“It’s mostly nonsense from those who don’t understand physiology or any aspect of medicine”
“The cleanse is not the best way to lose weight”
People often had extreme hunger pains from a lack of solid foods. There were major complaints as well from those who lose some weight but managed to pile it back on as soon as they ate normally.
The majority of users had trouble not thinking about food, and once they resumed eating they felt like they had to binge. Some failed to lose any weight at all.
Common symptoms were listed by users including nausea, headaches, fatigue, low blood sugar, mood swings, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and low mental performance. Some also experienced serious issues such as extremely low blood sugar and depression.
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Conclusion - Does Lemonade Diet Work?
The Lemonade Diet is similar to other fad diets which suggest limiting oneself to just a few foods. Only liquids are allowed, and the diet suggests only using it for 10 day periods. Since the caloric limit is 650 a day, this will likely result in weight loss. Any extreme caloric deprivation like this is known to promote weight loss. The issue is that it’s not sustainable. Many people have experiencedseriousside effects, and they also mentioned how all the lost weight returned as soon as normal eating continued. The diet has also not been proven to be safe and effective. There are health professionals who have concluded that this diet is not safe or effective. It enforces a strict lack of calories with very little to no nutrients.
Our experts have rated many kinds of diets and the most effective one for weight loss is the 18Shake Diet. In it is a meal replacement for hours of appetite suppression as well as a fat burning diet pill. No added stimulants, binders, colors, preservatives, fillers, or any unwanted additives are included. They combine to help suppress appetite, burn fat, increase metabolism, and provide well-rounded weight loss support.
The 18Shake Diet is also backed by an entire 30 day money back return policy. This allows customers to keep their money with no questions asked for an entire 30 days. To learn more about the 18Shake Diet, click on the link cited here.
User Feedback
(Page 8 of 18, 343 total comments)Maria
I just got back from the grocery store with all ingredients and I'm starting "The Detox" tomorrow morning. I'm sipping on the herbal tea now. I'm 5'3 and 158lbs. I've been feeling sluggish and bloated and after reading the positive reviews decided to give this a try. I'll repost in 2 days with my progress, good luck to all trying this.
posted Dec 14th, 2009 11:40 pmRamnuts
can you drink coffee with this diet
posted Dec 5th, 2009 4:58 pm40 Fresh
+Januarary of 2009 I weighed in at 255 lbs, I worked out and lost about 24 lbs by April, In May I did this liquid diet for a week and a half and I lost 16 more pounds. I felt so small and healthy and Ive gotten so many complaints. Now Im going to do it next monday 12/07/09 for a week and a half and do then start working on my abs. It worked for me
posted Dec 2nd, 2009 7:56 pmshawn
I will be strarting this diet on 10/26/2009 I am 6feet tall 275 pounds my goal weight is 225 i wiil be back in 14 days with the results.
posted Oct 23rd, 2009 10:53 amBonnie
+Decided to start th detox today since I bought all the ingredients last night.
posted Oct 9th, 2009 10:05 amSo far so good. The drinks taste grows on you.
Finger crossed it goes smoothly, at least I have the long weekend to stay in bed if I feel like crap.
Bonnie
My friend and I will be starting the lemonade detox soon.
posted Oct 8th, 2009 3:35 pmFYI using an item such as Simply Slender from GNC is a complete contradiction to detoxing - I looked at the ingredients and Fructose is at the top of the list. If you seriously want to detox you need to remove any fillers and toxins from your diet.
I would recommend after detoxing for the 10 days trying The Diet Solution Program and/or reading The Fat Burning Kitchen.
These programs are all about eating nutritionally dense and organic, grass fed meats, eggs, products that are as close to natural as you can get. The also explain the harm of eating Soy, using sugar substitutes, using margarine and pasteurized dairy. It is amazing to learn what these things do to our bodies.
Without making some real changes to your eating plan, the detox won't last very long.
lindalove
I like the concept. However the diet lacks the nutrients that are needed to keep from feeling dizzy or weak. They are alternatives on the market now that provide these nutrients. One I like is Simplifast. Its an All natural Fasting Beverage. Not only does it contain high levels of vitamins, it also has electrolytes and 11g of fiber. Nothing quite like it. It taste really good too. Another thing i like about simplifast is, it is ready to drink. I have a busy schedule and dont always have time to mix stuff, nor want to. It comes out cheaper to buy it made than to buy everything separate too. I lost weight and feel better and sleep better. I have made it part of my regular daily diet now, with no regrets.
posted Sep 1st, 2009 4:45 pmtammy
I tried a beverage called Simplifast. It is the lemonade diet already pre-mixed, and ready to drink, comes in 3 flavors, and 100% all natural with 11g fiber and all the vitamins and electrolytes in it so you dont get dizzy or weak like Sophie did. I lost a lot of weight, and feel the best is so long. I drink one for breakfast every morning now, as suggested and eat what ever I want the rest of the day. I still feel great and have not gained any weight back. This stuff is really addictive, delicious, and I can't live without Simplifast. Its cheaper than the others too.
posted Sep 1st, 2009 3:13 pm???
i dont get how it works... but to each own..
posted Sep 1st, 2009 1:13 pmRu
I did the Lemonade Diet for 10 days in October 2008 and lost 10 kilos. I am still trim and I recommend it 100%. My doctor couldn't believe my heart rate 115/70 and overall health is now excellent.
posted Aug 25th, 2009 1:40 amJane
+Its not a DIET its a cleanse. Its not meant to make you lose weight so much as it is meant to get the toxins out of your diet.
posted Aug 21st, 2009 4:29 pmMaple syrup is put there so you can survive so stop worrying about the calories. If you want to lose weight make a lifetime change because the minute you come off this thing you will more then likely start EATING again and therefore bloat and gain ten pounds when you were trying to lose five.
I'm on the fast as we speak and I'm doing it to cleanse my body not to lose weight.
Janine
just started the detox today so far so good hope i can last the 7days
posted Aug 16th, 2009 7:48 pmJanine
Just started the detox today so far so good hope i can last the 7days atleast
posted Aug 16th, 2009 7:47 pmAmy
Hey, I am 18 and I am 5foot and weight 134 and meant to weight about 115 or something.
posted Aug 5th, 2009 5:09 pmDoes this diet taste okay?
And where can i find the exact measurements and stuff?
Bec
I got medium maple surup and its 220 calories per 1/4 ! is that the same as the grade b im worried about drinking so much calories or is this how the diet works?
posted Aug 5th, 2009 2:30 pmbeccy
I couldnt find grade b so i just used another kind medium its 220 calories per 1/4 ! , is that the same with the grade b
posted Aug 5th, 2009 2:28 pmCat
I'm at the end of my 4th day and have stuck to it perfectly. I've added some freshly squeezed orange juice to the salt water so I don't gag!! I'm not hungry but I do crave food... strange! I'm going to try to obstain from food until 7 days.
posted Jul 18th, 2009 7:19 amCongrats to all of those that are doing so well!! Hopefully the results will pay off for everyone!! :)
holly23
Okay I am on day 6 and so far so good, I haven't weighed myself since I've been on the diet but I don't feel like im lossing any weight most people say they loose weight right away but I feel like I haven't lost any...I have a few questions for those of you who have success on the diet. But first I would like to say I started at weighing 147 and im normally 120(before the babies) so I would like to loose 20pounds, I haven't ate any food I drink about 6glasses of the lemonade which is all organic a qt of salt water in the morning and a organic laxative tea @ nite but I just want to know
posted Jul 17th, 2009 12:02 pm1. Do you need to drink more water to max your results.
2. Do you have solid bowel movements(poop)
3. If so do you have them 2-3times a day?
4. Do you exercise regulary?
Someone please help me!!!!!
originalamy
+You can do the lemonade diet in 2 days with David Kirsch's new LemonAid Detox. I've done it twice and had great results. Physically, I've trimmed my tummy and cleaned out my system. I've been able to jumpstart healthy eating habits and my skin has improved.
posted Jun 24th, 2009 4:44 pmI don't think I could do 7 days of this and with this product I don't need to!!
Sabrinee
hey guys,
posted Jun 14th, 2009 10:14 ami want to start this in a couple of days. im just really worried about putting the weight back on. for those whove done it, did you find you could keep the weight off when you went back to healthy eating?