The Lemonade Diet has been around for decades, made popular again in recent times by celebrities and their claims that the diet has helped them to lose weight quickly. The diet consists of only liquids and eliminates food for a minimum of 10 days. Despite its popularity, the Lemonade Diet's safety and efficacy is questionable. If you plan on undertaking the Lemonade Diet, consult your doctor or nutritionist first.
Stanley Burroughs
The Lemonade Diet was invented by Stanley Burroughs and first introduced through his book "The Master Cleanser" in 1976, according to Calorie Lab. Burroughs reportedly first used the technique in 1940, however, to help treat stomach ulcers. Once the book was published, Burroughs promoted the technique as a weight-loss solution, as well as a solution for "all disorders," Burroughs was quoted as saying. In 2004, Peter Glickman reintroduced the ideas behind "The Master Cleanser" in his book "Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days" and dubbed the technique the "Lemonade Diet."
The Diet
The Lemonade Diet is nothing more than drinking a lemonade mix for a minimum of 10 days. There are no dietary supplements to take, nor does the diet provide any fitness guidelines. The lemonade in the Lemonade Diet can be concocted in several ways, but typically the lemonade consists of fresh lemon juice, Grade B maple syrup, some cayenne pepper and water, according to the Master Cleanse website. Depending on how many glasses of lemonade you plan to drink every day, you will reduce your caloric intake significantly since the diet does not allow food of any type in those 10 days.
Effectiveness
Claims as to the effectiveness of the Lemonade Diet vary greatly. A number of celebrities have reportedly tried the diet to lose weight, with the pop singer Beyonce Knowles having been the latest. Knowles claimed to have lost 20 lbs. in two weeks, according to Calorie Lab. It is reasonable to assume that weight loss with the Lemonade Diet is possible based on the fact that the diet eliminates all foods for 10 days.
Dangers
While the Lemonade Diet is not a fast in the true sense of the word, your body is being depleted of vital nutrition that comes from foods such as vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and dairy. Going for two or three days without food is generally accepted to be safe but such fasting is not recommended beyond that. The diet provides you with enough nutrients to sustain you for a couple of days, but your liver and kidneys can start to suffer after that, according to Calorie Lab.
Expert Insight
The Lemonade Diet may help you lose a few pounds in the short-term, but, most likely, those pounds will come back if you don't make real lifestyle changes. According to the Weight-control Information Network, a diet should be a long-term, behavior-changing undertaking that consists of a healthy eating plan. No safe diet that is to be effective in the long-term should ever eliminate any food groups essential to good health. A good diet will help you reduce the amount of calories you eat while ensuring you are receiving all the necessary nutrition.
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