The Master Cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet, was created by Stanley Burroughs, an alternative health practitioner, in the 1940s. The cleanse was originally intended as a detox treatment for a variety of diseases, including peptic ulcers, but if often used, today, for weight loss. The Master Cleanse is designed to rid the body of toxins by encouraging frequent bowel movements. The cleanse has three phases--the ease-in, the fast and the ease-out---and allows different foods in each stage.
The Ease-In
The ease-in is an optional phase at the beginning of the cleanse. According to the Master Cleanse website, many people skip this first step and, while it is alright to do so, the site recommends following this phase. The intent of of the ease-in phase is to remove all processed foods, meat and dairy from the diet, prepare your body for the actual fast. The ease-in phase lasts three days with specific foods allowed on each day.
Ease-In Foods
Day one of the ease-in phase allows only, what Burroughs called, "live" foods---fresh fruits and vegetables. The phase allows all fruits and vegetables but the Master Cleanse site recommends against eating too much fruit due to the high sugar content. The best combination, according to the Master Cleanse site, is a 40/60 split---40 percent fruit and 60 percent vegetables. Day two allows only liquids in the form of juice blends, smoothies and vegetable-based soups and broths. Day three allows only fresh-squeezed orange juice diluted with water.
The Fast
The fast phase can last as long as 10 days and allows no food at all. However, while the fast does not allow solid sustenance, it is not calorie-free. The lemonade, which is the backbone of the fast, contains fresh lemon juice and maple syrup, both of which provide calories. Additionally, Burroughs recommended up to 12, 8-oz glasses a day, each with 2 tbs of lemon juice and 2 tbs of maple syrup. Burroughs also allowed mint tea in addition to the nightly laxative tea and the morning salt-water flush.
The Ease-Out
Unlike the ease-in, the ease-out is an important part of the cleanse. After spending up to 10 days consuming nothing but lemonade, salt water and laxatives, it's crucial that you give your body time to adjust to solid food. The ease-out phase slowly incorporates food back into the diet and is the reverse of the ease-in.
Ease-Out Foods
Day one of the ease-out allows only diluted orange juice. As with the ease-in, Burroughs recommends fresh-squeezed. Day two incorporates full strength juices, juice blends and smoothies. The diet also allows vegetable-based broths and soups. Day three of the ease-out allows fresh fruits and vegetables but suggests a blend of 40 percent fruit and 60 percent vegetable.
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