Lemon diet, the detox cure with lemon

The lemon diet consists of reducing calorie intake and consuming large quantities of lemon juice daily. It is broken down into a day of detoxification followed by a daily food program. The lemon diet would promote weight loss by combining a low-calorie balanced diet and detoxification of the organs using the active substances contained in the lemon.

The main points of the lemon diet:

• Balanced and varied diet
• Low calorie diet
• Consumption of lemon water throughout the day
• Detoxifying effect of lemon juice

The main principles of the detox cure with the lemon diet

It was Theresa Cheung who first mentioned the principles of the lemon diet. She was inspired by the advice of naturopath Stanley Burroughs who had discussed the positive effects of lemon juice in the 70s. Their hypothesis concerns the detoxifying aspect of lemon juice in the body and its contribution to good digestion. .

How does the lemon juice diet work?

The lemon diet does not consist in consuming only lemon, it is rather a question of integrating it daily through all meals and of following a balanced diet rather low in calories in parallel. To optimize the effects of lemon, this diet recommends consuming 4 glasses of lemonade* over 24 hours as well as water at will for the first day of detoxification. Subsequently, we will integrate a low-calorie diet with all food families.

The 7 main principles of the detox cure with the lemon diet are:

1. Drink lemonade every morning when you get up and plenty of water during the day.
2. Enjoy the benefits of vitamin C by eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
3. Regulate your blood sugar level by sprinkling your dishes with 1 to 2 tbsp. lemon juice, eating protein at every meal, eating at regular intervals throughout the day, not skipping meals, and consuming complex carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables) and fiber.
4. Eat less sugar by reducing added sugar in coffee, tea and cereals, consuming fewer refined products such as white bread, cookies, white pasta and avoiding artificial sweeteners.
5. Forget “light” products and focus on foods rich in good fats (omega-3 and monounsaturated) and low in bad fats (saturated and trans). Consume 2 portions of fish per week including 1 portion of oily fish and also consume nuts (nuts) and seeds with each of your daily snacks.
6. Eat plenty of whole (unrefined) or plain foods such as grains, rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables and legumes that are as close to their natural form as possible.
7. Apply the rules of good digestion by chewing each bite, eating in optimal and calm conditions, without stress, not eating 2 hours before bedtime or when you are very tired, turning off the television and practicing 5 to 6 times a week 30 minutes of physical activity.

How does the lemon water diet make you lose weight?

Lemon juice would have digestive virtues by acting in particular on the liver and the stomach. The vitamin C contained in the lemon also allows an antioxidant action which slows down cellular aging. If consumed as part of a calorie-restricted, balanced diet, the lemon water diet will help detoxify the body and support weight loss.

How long does the lemon diet last?

There is no set duration for following the lemon diet. As it is above all a varied and balanced diet supplemented with a consumption of lemon juice, there are no contraindications to follow it in the long term. It is quite possible to practice the lemon juice diet for several weeks, even several months. For this, it is essential to maintain a diversified and nutrient-rich diet in parallel with the consumption of lemon water.

Foods allowed

All foods are allowed, however it is a question of following a rather low-calorie diet. The works addressing this diet recommend consuming a maximum of ingredients from organic farming, whole grains and reducing salt consumption.

The recipe for lemonade, or lemon water, to include in the lemon maple syrup diet:

• 2 tbsp. tablespoon freshly squeezed organic lemon juice
• 300ml filtered water
• 2 tbsp. coffee (= tea) organic maple syrup or a cinnamon stick (optional)
• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Forbidden foods

Fried foods, sweets, cheeses and added fats should be avoided as much as possible. These are foods that, when consumed in excess, promote weight gain and associated health problems. In addition, from a detoxification perspective, they will not bring any benefits to the body. Indeed, their richness in fats, sugars and/or salt make them foods that disrupt good digestion by the organs.

Lemon diet: one-week menus

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	detox day	Classic day	Classic day	Classic day	Classic day
At Rise	1 glass of lemonade	1 glass of lemonade	1 glass of lemonade	1 glass of lemonade	1 glass of lemonade
Breakfast	Fresh fruit Yoghurt Handful of almonds	Muesli with oat bran and seeds Soy milk Compote	Rye toast with fresh cheese Squeezed fruit juice Tea	Soy yogurt with muesli and red fruits Coffee	Scrambled eggs Avocado toast Tea
Snack	1 glass of Banana Pumpkin Seed              Lemonade	1 glass of almond milk Sunflower seeds	Soy yogurt Dried fruits	Crudités sticks Peanut butter	Homemade cookies with wheat bran and dates
Lunch	Lentil salad with lemon juice and olive oil	Cucumber salad Salmon steak Spinach Brown rice Apple	Tomato salad with olive oil Chicken en papillote with lemon juice Quinoa Compote	Green salad Wok of vegetables and Chinese noodles with tofu Fresh cheese Raspberry mousse	Vermicelli salad Shrimp and mint spring rolls Soy yogurt Mango soup
Snack	1 glass of lemonade Raw vegetable sticks	Peach Handful of almonds	Dips of raw vegetables and hummus	Compote Brown rice cakes	Oat milk seed muesli
Having dinner	Cod fillet with lemon juice	Zucchini soup Cereal bread Soft-boiled egg	Lentil velouté with curry and coconut milk Wholemeal bread Fresh cheese with herbs	Mixed salad with melon, raw ham, olives and tomato Wholemeal pasta	Steamed chicken Lemon sauce, cottage cheese and chives Broccoli Steamed potato
Snack	1 glass of lemonade	X	X	X	X

Pros and Cons of the Lemon Maple Syrup Diet

The positives of the lemon diet

• Weightloss
• Good supply of vitamin C
• Aids digestion
• Easy to follow
• Very varied, no forbidden food
• No deficiencies or frustration
• Little risk of weight gain
• Respects the nutritional recommendations of the PNNS

Cons of the lemon juice diet

• May damage the stomach in case of hypersensitivity to acidity
• Detox effect still uncertain
• The detoxification day is very low calorie, it should not be extended over the long term
• Not suitable for kidney and gallbladder disorders, ulcers, gastritis or citrus allergy
• Should not be followed in children, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women

Recommendations and precautions to take

Are there any risks in following the detox cure with the lemon diet?

If the hypocaloric detoxification day is not prolonged and if the diet remains varied and balanced, there are no particular risks in following the lemon diet. Except in exceptional cases (pregnancy, renal pathologies, etc.) it is a diet that is generally suitable for the greatest number.

Is this a diet for you?

Yes if you like lemon and if you want to shed a few pounds relatively easily. It is not a drastic diet, weight loss is natural and allowed by a balanced diet that covers energy needs.

Is the lemon diet compatible with sport?

Absolutely, if your nutrient needs are covered by a balanced diet, the practice of a sport is absolutely recommended in parallel with the lemon juice diet. Practicing a sport will help tone the body, facilitate weight loss and maintain a healthy weight for the long term.

The lemon diet before and after: how not to regain weight?

Weight regain after the lemon diet is not inevitable. It generally occurs when the caloric restriction has been too great and the days of conventional food have not been sufficiently well constructed to cover the needs of the body. As long as the diet is balanced and provides the body with everything it needs, there is no reason for weight gain after the diet. On the contrary, the lemon diet can be a good way to relearn healthy eating and adopt better habits that should be maintained even after stopping the detox cure with the lemon diet.