For some time now, everywhere we talk about the magical effects of water and lemon ; in citrus shops the shelves are empty; many "starlets" attribute to their diet their dazzling physical form and their perfect skin .
The "lemon-mania" spreads, in a thousand facets and various suggestions: each one has its say. We wondered, however, who first got the idea and which was the first version. Here are the results of our research.
How the lemon diet works: the original version
In its original version, conceived by the naturopath Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s, it was a real cleansing treatment that exploits the detoxifying effects of lemon, described in the book " Master Cleanser ".
The treatment must last at least 10 days, up to a maximum of 40 (like the days that Jesus spent in the desert, said Burroughs) and consists in taking 6 to 12 glasses of a special drink prepared with:
> 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice or the juice of half a lemon,
> 3 dl of filtered water,
> 1 pinch of cayenne pepper,
> 1 teaspoon of maple syrup .
In the evening, a laxative remedy is taken.
Considering that the lemon-based drink is the only food that can be taken during treatment, and that each glass provides 110 calories, we can call it a low-calorie diet .
I would add " a strongly unbalanced diet ": in fact all or almost all essential nutrients are missing, and furthermore the effect of the laxative causes a further loss of minerals and liquids. We lose weight, certainly, but in the long run there are strong risks of nutritional deficiencies.
Detoxifying diet, how and why to do it
How the lemon diet works: Martine Andre's version
Starting with the Master Cleanser, Dr. Andre has developed a real diet that involves using lemon as a support and not as a single food.
The "Master Cleanser" drink made from lemon, water, maple juice and pepper (or paprika) remains a constant, and these are the general dietary indications :
- A glass of "Master Cleanser" as soon as you wake up
- Breakfast : a fruit salad or raw vegetables, a handful of almonds
- Snack : a glass of lemonade "Master Cleanser" and a banana
- Lunch : a salad of beans or lentils seasoned with lemon and olive oil. Or a vegetable soup with two slices of wholemeal bread. Or lemon rice, cooked without fat.
- Snack : raw vegetables or fresh fruit, a glass of lemonade "Master Cleanser"
- Dinner : grilled fish and cooked or raw vegetables seasoned with lemon juice, or grilled chicken seasoned with lemon and a little olive oil.
- Before sleeping : a glass of lemonade "Master Cleanser
It is done for about 15 days after which it is recommended to take only two fruit and vegetables for two days before returning to the usual diet.
How the lemon diet works: the "fast" version
In summary, the original version of Burroughs was designed as a real cure . Those who use it as a slimming diet would certainly lose weight quickly but at the risk of regaining it just as quickly at the end of the treatment .
Those who want to try the version of Dr. Andre, would have a better variety of foods and a diet with few calories, to be implemented, in my opinion, for short periods and possibly to detox after days of debauchery.
There is also a short version, of only 24 hours, to partially detoxify and give our body a day off from the stress of digestion and various toxins (smoking, alcohol).
It can be done on a relaxing day, in which to pamper our body even with massages, warm baths and nature walks, so the beneficial effects will be multiple and lasting. Here are the directions:
Wake up early, around 7:30 and drink a glass of "Master Cleanser" lemonade
- Breakfast : a fruit salad made with red fruits, apple, pèra, a handful of almonds and lemon juice
- Snack : "Master Cleanser" lemonade, a banana, a handful of almonds or pumpkin seeds
- Lunch : a salad of beans or lentils seasoned with lemon and olive oil.
- Snack : "Master Cleanser" lemonade, radishes or raw celery
- Dinner : grilled lean fish with boiled vegetables and lemon juice
- Before sleeping : lemonade "Master Cleanser", a glass
