Many people would like to lose 10 lb. in a week. The Master Cleanse has been touted as the way to do it. This minimalist fast is not for the faint of heart or light of head. It takes serious commitment to survive on almost nothing but a lemonade concoction for several days at a time. There are only a few things you can ingest on the Master Cleanse without derailing your efforts -- and none of them are solid food.
Identification
The Master Cleanse was created in 1941 by Stanley Burroughs. The eating plan consists of up to 60 oz. of a homemade lemonade drink per day and no solid foods. The website Scribd instructs following the diet for a minimum of 10 days to get the maximum cleansing and weight-loss effects.
The Lemonade
What you can have on the Master Cleanse -- and plenty of it -- is a homemade lemonade beverage. Craft the libation using 2 tbsp. of homemade lemon juice, 2 tbsp. of grade B organic maple syrup, 1/10 tsp. of cayenne pepper and 10 oz. of distilled water. Grade B maple syrup is a less processed version than what is available in most grocery stores. Check your local health or natural food store to buy the correct kind of syrup. Feel free to have five to six glasses of lemonade per day, according to the Master Cleanse Recipe.
Tea or Salt Flush
On each day of the diet, it is recommended that you drink a sea salt flush drink in the morning. You should end the day with a laxative tea in the evening
The laxative tea can be purchased at Asian Markets, and some traditional grocery stores. The active ingredient in the tea is a natural laxative herb called senna.
The sea salt flush can be made by placing 2 tsp. of non-iodized sea salt into 1 quart of warm water. Drink it quickly first thing in the morning to encourage bowel movement and cleansing, according to Health Free.
Why You Can't Eat
The cleanse is meant to flush excess food and waste through the stomach, colon and intestines. It should provide a detoxification effect and give the body a break from the never-ending cycle of eating and digesting, according to Master Cleanse Fast. Many people lose significant amounts of weight on the diet. However, it was designed to cleanse the body's inner systems not as a weight loss tool.
Precautions
Some people have difficulty drinking the salt water recommended on the Master Cleanse and may vomit. In this case, the salt should be reduced. The salt water flush is also not intended for those with high blood pressure, heart disease, edema or weak kidneys, according to All About Fasting.
Talk to your doctor before undertaking any extreme changes to your diet. Seek professional advice if you feel dizzy or lightheaded during the cleanse.
Member Comments