Stanley Burroughs created the Master Cleanse Diet more than 60 years ago. The diet lasts approximately 10 days and is touted to clean out your internal organs and digestive system. The diet also claims to improve symptoms of certain conditions such as arthritis and gout. During the cleanse you are only allowed intake of the "lemonade" mixture. Salads and all other solid foods are not permitted during the detox. In the preparation and post steps of the diet salad may be implemented.
Cleanse Overview
The Master Cleanse consists of a lemonade drink that contains fresh lemon juice, organic maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. You are supposed to drink approximately 6 10-oz. glasses per day. Plain water, laxative tea and saline wash are the only other substances you can consume during the cleanse. One laxative tea is required per day but two are encouraged, so you produce sufficient bowels. Bowels are crucial in the process because they are the removal of waste and toxins from your body. Since this is a liquid diet it is beneficial to ease in and out of the diet with vegetables and fruits then liquid foods to prepare your body.
Preparation Foods
When you prepare for the Master Cleanse you can have raw fruits and vegetables up to three days out from the first day of the cleanse. Three days of preparation is recommended before you begin lemonade intake. On the first day of preparation salads are a good choice, as living foods should be your main or only source of calories. A ratio of 60/40 vegetables to fruits is encouraged. Prepare salads with leafy greens such as kale, spinach, cabbage, bok choy or watercress. Add your choice of carrots, celery, cucumber, onion and zucchini along with some fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, grapes or blackberries. On the second day, raw fruit and vegetable juices and soup broths are recommended. On the third and final day of preparation you are encouraged to only consume freshly squeezed orange juice and water.
Post-Diet Foods
When you have finished your lemonade cleanse, ease out of the diet with a post-diet plan. On the first day out, avoid salads and stick with a liquid diet such as the freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with maple syrup. On the second day, work in some small salads, however, it is recommended that you wait to eat solid foods until the third day out. Stick with 100 percent natural vegetable and fruit juices, all liquid soups and broths on the second day. The third day is the best day to work in raw salads. Top your salads with extra-virgin olive oil for flavor and healthy monounsaturated fats.
Considerations
Registered and licensed dietitian, Katherine Zeratsky states at MayoClinic.com that there is no substantial evidence behind the effectiveness of detox diets. She states that your kidneys and liver naturally eliminate the harmful toxins from your body and cleanses may not be necessary, unless recommended by your doctor. Consult your doctor before starting the Master Cleanse Diet because it restricts many important food groups from your diet, which can lead to malnutrition. Detox diets can lead to other unpleasant side effects such as dehydration, feeling light headed, low energy and gastrointestinal complications. If you are advised to go on the Master Cleanse have your doctor closely supervise your daily progress.
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