Foods You Can Eat While On Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet

The Master Cleanse is an intense, short-term detoxification fast. It is also frequently referred to as the "Lemonade Diet," as the only food permitted during the cleanse is a mixture of lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt and maple syrup in water. The Master Cleanse should not be used as a rapid weight loss diet, as drastic caloric restriction or starvation diets can increase the chance of rebound weight gain. Due to the intensity of the Master Cleanse, you should talk with your doctor first to determine if it is right for you.

Lemon Juice

Proponents of the Master Cleanse diet insist that the lemon juice be fresh squeezed by hand using organic lemons. Fresh lemons are supposedly a better source of living enzymes, while organic lemons are free of potential insecticidal contaminants. When juicing the lemons, you are supposed to add a chunk of the washed lemon pulp and rind in the juicer for additional cleansing and laxative benefits.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is supposed to aid in the elimination of waste from the bowel. It is also supposed to assist in the removal of catarrh, or toxic mucous, from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as provide energy to you while you are on the cleanse. Cayenne is also a source of additional B and C vitamins.

Salt

Since the Master Cleanse diet eliminates most dietary sources of electrolytes, it is essential that non-iodized sea salt be added to the lemonade to prevent dehydration. Nonetheless, it is unwise to adhere to the Master Cleanse diet for a long period of time, particularly in summer. The use of laxatives such as cascara sagrada while on the Master Cleanse diet can aggravate the loss of electrolytes, and is not recommended. Some proponents of the cleanse instead recommend a morning "salt flush," in which a teaspoon of salt is taken with a glass of water to promote elimination.

Maple Syrup

Since sea salt provides only one of the electrolyte salts needed by the body, maple syrup is added for its potassium, magnesium, and calcium content. Maple syrup also contains some copper, iron and manganese, as well as vitamins A, C, B-1, B-2, B-6, nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid. You are supposed to use only organic maple syrup for the cleanse. Grade B or grade C maple syrups are preferable to grade A syrup, as they contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals.