The maple syrup lemon cleanse diet is an old fad diet known by a variety of names, including the lemonade diet and the master cleanse. According to "Diets Exposed: Analysis of Popular Fad Diets," the diet was originally developed in the 1950s by Stanley Burroughs, a man who was convicted of practicing medicine without a license in 1960 and charged with involuntary manslaughter in 1984 when a man with cancer died as a result of following Burroughs' advice to adhere to this diet. Consult your physician before starting any weight-loss program.
Diet Guidelines
Choose a date at least three days in the future to start your cleanse. Prepare for your cleanse by eating only fruits and vegetables on the third day before your cleanse. Drink only vegetable broth and vegetable juice on the second day prior to your cleanse. Drink only orange juice the day before your cleanse. During the diet, which lasts 10 days, you drink only eight glasses of the maple-lemon drink and at least 64 oz. of water each day. End your diet in reverse of the way you started, drinking only orange juice for the first day after the cleanse, only vegetable broth and vegetable juice for the second day and only fruits and vegetables on the third day.
Drink Recipe
Prepare one glass of the maple-lemon drink by filling a glass with 8 oz. of water. Stir 2 tbsp. maple syrup, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper into your water. If you prefer to prepare a one day supply of your maple-lemon drink, mix 1 cup maple syrup, 1 cup lemon juice and 1-1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper into 64 oz. of water.
Weight Loss
The maple syrup lemon cleanse diet promises a weight loss of up to 20 lbs. in 10 days. While it is likely that you would lose a dramatic amount of weight on the cleanse, your actual fat loss would be minimal. The cleanse provides too few calories to maintain basic metabolic functions. As a result your metabolic rate decreases and your body becomes more efficient in the use of its fuel in an attempt to stave off starvation. Most of the weight you lose is water, glycogen and muscle, placing you at great risk of rebound weight gain.
Considerations
If you're struggling to lose weight, you may be willing to do just about anything in the hopes of losing a few stubborn pounds. Although the maple syrup lemon cleanse probably will produce dramatic weight loss, the reduction of your metabolic rate will make it difficult for you to maintain your weight loss. Keep in mind that successful weight maintenance is about forming healthy habits that last for life.
References
- "Diets Exposed: Analysis of Popular Fad Diets"; Kristina Benson; 2007
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD, et al.; 2004
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
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