Liquid Diets.....Anybody tried one?

A guy here at work recently did a liquid diet called The Master Cleanse, nicknamed the 'Lemonade Diet'. He originally did it for detoxifying/cleansing purposes, and boy can I say he lost 20+lbs in less than a month. How healthy is this diet, I'm not sure. The only thing is, he didnt eat ANY food he said for 18 days. And it doesnt sound to tasty to me, but to each his own. I LOVE food waaay to much, but I'm debating on whether or not I want to try it right before the wedding.

Anybody out there ever been on a liquid diet

* I just read that Beyonce did something similar to this for 14 days for her role in Dreamgirls. Interesting...

Here is an article I found on it in case anyone is interested: Master Cleanse - The Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet

What is the master cleanse or the lemonade diet

The Master Cleanse (hereinafter called the lemonade diet) is a 100% liquid diet that must be followed strictly without any exceptions for a minimum of 10 days. The diet consists of lemonade prepared from fresh organic lemons, grade-B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper; water with sea-salt to be had in the mornings; and laxative tea to be had just before going to bed at night. The only other exceptions to these are water (pure, without any additions) and mint tea.

Many just hear of going for over 10 days without having a single bite of solid food, and give up the idea. The first thing that comes to almost everyone's mind when they hear of this is 'How will I survive for so long without any nutrition. How will I be able to go about my daily routine without any source of energy. Will I not just collapse some day due to malnutrition.' The answer to this question is 'NO', you will not collapse due to malnutrition, you will not suffer during this phase due to a lack of energy and will be able to do whatever you used to in a routine manner.

It may sound very strange and an extreme exaggeration; but almost everyone who has gone through the lemonade diet has felt more energetic and fresh during the diet. How is this possible?

There is an explanation to this. Have you thought as to why this diet consists of fresh organic lemon, grade-B maple syrup and cayenne pepper? Lemons are the richest source of vitamins and minerals, the maple syrup will provide the required energy and the cayenne pepper helps in loosening and getting rid of toxins.

The purpose of this diet is to cleanse the entire body (cells), kidneys, glands, and digestive system from all accumulated toxins. All the substances that are responsible for joint and muscle pains are dissolved and eliminated from the body. What this lemonade diet will leave you with is a toxin-free healthy body.

Preparing the Lemonade

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons lemon juice (use only organic lemons)

2 tablespoons grade-B maple syrup

1/10th teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preparation:

Dissolve all ingredients in 8 oz water.

Prepare the lemonade as given. Do not change the proportion of any ingredient. The lemonade may not give you the desired results. Do not substitute the maple syrup or cayenne pepper with anything else. The use of honey in this lemonade is a strict 'NO'.

You can substitute the water with fresh sugarcane juice if available. If using fresh sugarcane juice eliminate the maple syrup. The reason why this is not usually told is that fresh sugarcane juice is not readily available in the US. This is very useful for persons living in most of the Asian countries where fresh sugarcane juice is available in plenty, not maple syrup.

What Schedule Should be Maintained?

The night before you decide on starting the lemonade diet, have a laxative herbal tea.

The first thing you must have when you get up in the morning should be a quart of salt water. Prepare this by mixing two teaspoons of sea-salt (do not use iodized salt) in a quart of lukewarm water. Do not worry of ill effects. The salt water will not be absorbed into your bloodstream. It will help in flushing out all the waste in your digestive tract. If you can't have this salt water some day, don't worry. Replace it with the laxative tea, but do not skip this first thing in the morning.

In between the morning salt-water and night laxative tea, you must have in between 6 to 12 glasses of the lemonade daily. The more the better. Drink as much as plain water as you want throughout the day. Treat yourself to the occasional mint tea (no sugar).

During the entire schedule of 10 or more days, do not have anything solid. Absolutely nothing. No liquid other than those mentioned should be consumed.

Will There be Any Side Effects?

Yes. There will be side effects without exception. Most of these will not be pleasant. You must have proper knowledge of the side effects so that you know that what you are going through is nothing abnormal, but perfectly natural in the detoxification process.

The first thing that you may suffer are cramps in the abdomen. You may need to visit the toilet 3 to 4 times a day. Sounds strange to be visiting the toilet so many times since you will not be eating anything solid. But this will happen. Your body will keep on eliminating all the toxins that are loosening from all parts of your body. You could feel a bit weak when you begin the lemonade diet because of the sudden elimination of all the accumulated toxins. Vomiting can occur, and joints could pain. This is normal and natural. Your body is in the process of purifying itself. Other symptoms may include nausea, headaches and irritability. When any of these side effects happen to you, do not despair and leave the lemonade diet. Be firm and go through the entire course; you will not regret it!

How to Come Off the Diet

Coming off the diet is the most important part in the entire diet. Yes, the most important part.

It will be 10 days or more that your body has not had any solid food. Do not make the mistake of gobbling down whatever you can lay your hands on once you have completed the lemonade diet. Your body will not be able to adjust to this, and it could lead to a serious condition.

You have to get off the diet and introduce solid foods gradually. The first and second day after you complete the lemonade diet, you should have only fresh orange juice. 8 to 10 glasses a day should suffice. Drink as much water in between as required. On the third day have fresh orange juice in the morning. Afternoon lunch should consist of a little fresh and raw fruit/s. At night have a raw vegetable salad. The next morning have a fresh orange juice. Lunch should be a little soup made out of fresh vegetables. Have the same soup for dinner. You are now ready to eat normally.

Points to Remember

Follow the lemonade diet as mentioned.

Do not substitute any ingredients unless mentioned.

If you are on some medication that can't be stopped, consult your physician.

This is not a weight loss program, so even though you will lose weight, do not overdo it; it could lead to serious complications.

Come off the diet in the specified manner. Not following this may lead to serious problems.

This diet requires that you stay off all forms of meat, eggs and milk once the process is complete. This is not possible for many, but is no reason why you should not do the lemonade diet at least once a year.

that sounds crazy! I don't think I could do it.

I have been thinking about doing some type of fasting or cleansing type thing, but I know I wouldn't last more than a few days.

eeek those side effects sound scary! not sure i could do the salt water either.

The US Weekly dated April 18 has a little blurd on the bottom left corner of page 10 about Beyonce dropping 20 lbs in 2 weeks by this.

Sounds yucky

I'd rather try the cabbage soup diet, if anything, it's actually good tasting!

I do the Master Cleanse twice a year. Not for weight loss, but for detoxing/health. Beyonce did it to get skinny and it works (until you eat anything again), but that's not what it is designed for.

You would be amazed at what happens to your body (other than weight loss) when you detox though...good stuff if you can hang with it.

I wouldn't recommend it. You're basically depriving your body, that can't be good.

Obviously I'm biased, but people deprive themselves of health everyday by eating too much high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, fat, and the list goes on.

The cleanse has outstanding health benefits but again, I don't suggest using it as a diet.

Hey, I did a liquid diet but it was through the hosiptal. I lost 65 lbs in 4 months. But mine was very $$ and monitored by the nurses every week and what not.. I can say it work well but it is a bit different then the ones you are talking about.

This is a fast loss, but also fast gain once you are off! As soon as your body gets those extra calories in that food, it will store them preparing for you to do it again.