What is Beyonce’s lemonade fast diet?
Beyoncé is one of the most famous pop stars in the world, renowned for her powerful vocals, iconic dance moves, and chart-topping hits. In recent years, she has also become known for her incredibly fit physique, which she achieves through dedicated workout routines and strict dieting. One diet that Beyoncé has done to get in shape for major events like headlining Coachella is called the Lemonade Diet or Master Cleanse. This intense fast involves drinking nothing but a lemonade concoction for up to two weeks to lose weight quickly. Here is an in-depth look at what Beyoncé’s Lemonade Diet entails, its purported health benefits, and some precautions to take if attempting this rapid weight loss plan.
What is the Master Cleanse?
The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a liquid fast that involves drinking 6-12 glasses daily of a lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper drink. It was created in 1940 by Stanley Burroughs and was promoted in his 1976 book The Master Cleanser. The fast typically lasts from 10-40 days and is intended to “detox” the body while promoting rapid weight loss. No solid foods are allowed on the diet besides the lemonade drink.
The daily lemonade drink consists of the following ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp grade B maple syrup
- 1/10 tsp cayenne pepper
- 8 oz water
The maple syrup provides carbohydrates and some minerals, while the cayenne pepper is intended to stimulate circulation and metabolism. The lemon juice provides vitamin C and electrolytes. The drink has minimal protein and no fat, so it does not provide complete nutrition. It is intended only as a short-term cleanse and weight loss aid.
Beyoncé and the Lemonade Diet
Beyoncé is one of several celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashton Kutcher, who have tried the Master Cleanse to lose weight quickly for a major event or role. Beyoncé used it to get in shape for her iconic Coachella performance in 2018 after giving birth to her twins. She said she lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks on the diet by drinking only the lemonade concoction.
According to her personal trainer Marco Borges, Beyoncé drank the lemonade drink 6-12 times per day and nothing else during her 14-day cleanse. She combines this diet with intensive dance workouts to accelerate her weight loss. Borges cautions that the Lemonade Diet should only be done for a short period due to its extreme nutritional restrictions.
Purported Benefits of the Lemonade Diet
Proponents of the Master Cleanse claim it has many health and weight loss benefits including:
- Rapid weight loss – up to 2 lbs per day
- Detoxification and elimination of waste
- Reduced cravings for unhealthy foods
- Improved digestion and bowel movements
- Higher energy levels
- Better focus and concentration
- Reduced joint pain and inflammation
- Improved skin clarity and complexion
- Strengthened immune system
However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these wide-ranging health claims. The majority of benefits come from calorie restriction and weight loss rather than from any special detoxifying properties of the lemonade drink.
Weight Loss on the Master Cleanse
| Duration | Expected Weight Loss |
|---|---|
| 10 days | 10-15 lbs |
| 20 days | 20-30 lbs |
| 40 days | 40-60 lbs |
Most of the expected weight loss of 1-2 lbs per day comes from:
- Loss of water weight from low sodium intake
- Loss of intestinal waste and undigested matter
- Calorie deficit from fasting
- Loss of glucose stores as the body burns fat for fuel
Little of the weight loss comes from burning stored body fat, so most dieters regain the weight quickly after resuming normal eating. Loss of muscle mass may also occur due to the lack of protein.
Precautions to Take
While Beyoncé succeeded with the Lemonade Diet under medical supervision, it is an extreme and harsh cleanse with health risks. Precautions to take include:
- Consult your physician before attempting, especially if you have any health conditions
- Stay well hydrated by drinking up to 13 cups of the lemonade daily
- Take a potassium supplement to avoid electrolyte imbalances
- Do not exercise heavily due to low calorie intake
- Follow for no longer than 2 weeks to avoid nutritional deficits
- Transition slowly back to regular foods after the cleanse
The Master Cleanse is not suitable for anyone under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, diabetics, or people with eating disorders. People with kidney disease, heart disease, or low blood pressure should avoid this diet.
The Risks of Extreme Low Calorie Diets
While crash diets like the lemonade cleanse promise rapid weight loss, they carry major health risks:
| Risk | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Loss of muscle and lean body mass | Low protein intake and severe calorie restriction breaks down muscle tissue |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Provides almost no vitamins, minerals, protein or healthy fats |
| Electrolyte imbalances | Low sodium levels can cause fatigue, headaches, cramps |
| Gallstone formation | Rapid weight loss increases risk of gallstones |
| Severely low energy | Lack of calories and nutrients saps energy |
Due to these risks, most health professionals advise opting for more moderate and sustainable weight loss diets over extreme plans like the Master Cleanse.
Healthy and Sustainable Weight Loss
For healthy, long-lasting weight loss, most experts recommend aiming to lose 1-2 lbs per week through sustainable diet and lifestyle changes. Here are some healthy weight loss tips to try instead of an extreme fast like the lemonade diet:
- Reduce calorie intake by 500-1000 calories daily through portion control and avoiding added sugars/fats
- Eat more non-starchy vegetables, whole fruits, and high fiber foods
- Choose lean proteins like fish, beans, chicken, and low-fat dairy
- Drink 64 oz of water daily to stay hydrated
- Exercise 150 minutes per week doing a mix of cardio and strength training
- Get enough sleep and manage stress levels
- Weigh yourself weekly to monitor progress
By combining balanced nutrition, activity, and lifestyle strategies, you can lose weight sustainably and improve your overall health without extreme dieting.
Conclusion
Beyoncé used the Master Cleanse or Lemonade Diet to lose a significant amount of weight quickly before major performances like her Coachella set. However, this liquid fast is an extreme and harsh weight loss method that carries major health risks. While rapid weight loss may occur, most of it is water weight and muscle loss that is quickly regained. For safe, sustainable long-term weight loss aim to lose 1-2 lbs per week through balanced nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. With patience and commitment to healthful eating and activity habits, you can achieve lasting weight loss success.