Having a healthy and harmonious body is what many people want today. But who says harmonious body sometimes says diet, and who says diet says deprivation, and that’s where motivation can fly away in an instant. Adored by celebrities, the lemon diet is far from these frustrating diets. Zoom in on its principle and its effects to get in shape.
What is the lemon diet?
The lemon diet was created in the 1970s by Stanley Burroughs, a naturopath who highlighted the multiple nutritional benefits of this citrus fruit for our body. But it was especially through Thérèse Cheung, co-author of a book on the lemon diet, that the diet had its moment of glory, today taken up by the biggest Hollywood stars.
The lemon diet is about improving digestion to more easily eliminate waste from the body and thus lose weight. It generally lasts between 1 and 4 weeks, depending on the goals to be achieved. But nothing will prevent you from keeping the good reflexes afterward.
To do this, you need to incorporate this small yellow citrus fruit into your diet, provided that it is varied and balanced. It can be added in all its forms: zest, slices, juice, etc.
Lemon has many virtues. Full of vitamin C, it gives vitality and boosts the body. Concentrated in citric acid, it increases the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, which leads to better digestion. As a bonus, it helps detoxify the liver.
The lemon diet is for anyone who wants to purify their body, eat lighter, be less bloated, and therefore lose a little weight. Considered a detox diet rather than a slimming diet, strictly speaking, it has the virtue of a purifying action.
Lemon Diet Roadmap
Generally, the lemon diet takes place in 4 phases:
Phase 1: the body’s detox stage in 24 hours
Start by drinking a squeezed lemon in a glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach, for 15 to 30 minutes before having breakfast. This will give your body a boost when you wake up, purge your body of the toxins from the day before, and eliminate them more easily.
Continue the day by eating mainly raw or steamed vegetables, and fish, and remember to drink plenty of water (water, herbal tea, lemon juice). Avoid coffee and tea.
Phase 2: full of energy
Make sure to focus on foods that are packed with vitamin C, such as kiwis, broccoli, grapefruit, or bell peppers. Yes, it’s a common misconception that oranges are the fruit richest in vitamin C, and if you like juice, squeeze your oranges.
Phase 3: Reduce sugar in your diet
To do this, it is advisable to reduce as much as possible the consumption of biscuits, and industrial products such as prepared meals or dessert creams. Prefer fruits, naturally sweet and full of vitamins, and replace white sugar with agave syrup or honey in small quantities.
Phase 4: Good fats are yours
The idea is to replace butter and margarine which, even if it is less caloric, remains an industrial and pasteurized product. So choose a vegetable oil instead (olive, rapeseed, sesame, grape seed, etc.)
For the different meals of the day, there is only one watchword: good and natural. Fish, vegetables, lean meats, starchy foods, the goal is not to deprive yourself but to eat balanced and healthy, while enjoying yourself. In your dishes, incorporate lemon in all its forms: zest, juice, quarter, etc. Finally, don’t forget the lemonade!
Toss the processed products from our supermarkets, it’s time to enjoy some delicious homemade dishes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the lemon diet
The advantages
- It does not stimulate a state of deprivation because you adopt a healthy and balanced diet.
- It purifies the body
- It provides plenty of vitamins and minerals
- It is cheap
- It helps you regain beautiful skin and a more radiant complexion
The disadvantages
- It can cause heartburn
- It is not recommended for people with kidney problems, gallbladder disease, heartburn, or stomach ulcers and people allergic to citrus fruits.
- It can trigger sudden cravings for sugars and bad fats. If this happens, treat yourself and then get back to good habits.
How to implement the lemon diet daily?
The flagship drink of the lemon diet is obviously lemonade, to be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach and throughout the day (about 1.5L). Simply mix a squeezed lemon, a little cayenne pepper, or ginger and maple syrup in a glass of warm water. Pure in warm water, it is a little acidic!
Some good dietary tips:
- Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day
- Avoid overcooking your food, you lose a lot of its vitamins and minerals. Eat raw as much as possible or steamed.
- Favor vegetable oils without ever cooking with olive oil!
- Forget about light products
- Replace salt with spices or aromatic herbs
- Choose whole foods (pasta, bread, legumes), rich in fiber which facilitates digestion and intestinal transit.
The lemon diet is a diet without deprivation, to be carried out when you feel a lack of energy or a desire to regain a healthy body, but be careful: no more than twice a year. Before embarking on a diet, always seek the advice of a doctor or health professional such as a nutritionist or naturopath.
