The lemon detox has been around for more than half a century but renewed interest has been generated in the diet program after the internationally celebrated American singer, song writer and actress Beyonce announced her secret of going on a lemon detox diet where she lost 10 kilos for the movie Dreamgirl. This kind of diet is known as the Master cleanser and many say it is very effective in breaking down toxins that have built up in the body.
The Lemon Detox diet first became famous when Stanley Burroughs, the creator of the diet and author of “The Master Cleanse” recommended it for the healing of stomach ulcers.
In his book he talked about how he first came to test this diet on a patient who suffered from stomach sores for three years. Left with no other recourse, the patient approached Stanley who recommended that he undertake the cleanse diet. After eleven days, the patient was totally healed leaving doctors amazed. Many other cases followed and the results were consistent curing the patients within ten days. Of particular note also was that those undergoing the Master Cleanse also experienced a reduction in weight.
The diet plan is very strict and involves drinking a lemon juice mixture and not eating any food for up to two weeks and sometimes more. The person on the lemon detox diet is only allowed to consume the Master Cleanse elixir to keep hydrated; this comprises six or more servings of lemonade everyday.
There is another option added to the lemonade, which is a Salt Water Flush of two teaspoons salt mixed in 200 g of water in the morning and warm herbal tea at night.
The diet offers enough nutrients to keep one energized and to cleanse the body of unwanted toxins. If you are looking to lose anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds in just two short weeks with a Detox that has been around for years and you want to jump start your metabolism, the Lemon Detox Diet will get your body off to a great start.
Dietitian Sara Abduljawad said she tried the diet herself and it worked like a miracle but she suggests that women eat healthy along with the diet. “All you need is to take half a glass of very cold water and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon leaving the pulp and seeds out. You should add two tablespoons of pure Maple Syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground ginger to that and stir it well,” she said. “Then you should fill up the other half of the glass with cold water, stir and enjoy,” she added.
Abduljawad said there is no scientific evidence that one might need to go on any kind of detox diet and she did it only to test it herself. “If you want to cleanse your body you should eat healthy, quit smoking and trust your liver to do its job,” she said. “This diet is unbalanced and is very dangerous for your body because it can rob your intestines of healthy bacteria that aid digestion and boost immunity,” she added.
The dietitian says this kind of diet can induce rapid weight loss which may result in losing lean muscle. “We sometimes don’t understand why people and especially women cannot follow a healthy meal plan and instead choose to go on an all liquid diet,” said Abduljawad. “The lemon diet lacks essential nutrients such as calories, protein, carbs, fiber, vitamins, minerals and fat. This is why I don’t recommend it because every diet should either contain the essential nutrients or the person should take supplements,” she added.
Fitness expert and personal trainer Salah Mansour said fasting and detoxing is risky. In the long term one should eat fewer carbs, less sugar, fat and hit the gym everyday.
“Lean muscle and fluids and not belly fat are the first to go in starvation diets. Usually when one starves their body they end up bingeing on unhealthy foods high in sugar and fat,” he said. “Any diet should contain protein because your body will have to get protein from other sources which will lead it to burn your own muscle mass leaving your body with high fat and low muscle,” he added.
Manour said if women want to lose weight fast for a special occasion they should exercise more and go on a low-calorie balanced diet because quick weight loss doesn’t last and in many cases the lost weight returns with added kilos.
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The lemon detox diet: A quick weight loss plan
The lemon detox diet: A quick weight loss plan
Chef serves up a taste of Spain at Ithra Cultural Days in Saudi Arabia
DHAHRAN: Among the attractions of the Ithra Cultural Days: Spain at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), visitors can try a tantalizing selection of Spanish foods — none more renowned than its famous paella.
Arab News spoke with chef Jose Zafra at the event, which runs until Jan. 31, who flew in from Spain to offer a taste of his homeland to the people of Saudi Arabia.
A “master rice cook, paella researcher and promoter,” according to his business card, his logo is even designed around the recognizable cooking pan and the phrase “Pasion por la paella,” or “Passion for paella.”
“That's why the pan is round because people get around and eat all together — to share culture and passion and life,” Zafra told Arab News as foodies lined up behind him, eager to try a plateful.
“It’s not just a food. It’s a link, a connection. Paella is the symbol of unity and sharing. And people now are going to try it — authentic Spanish paella in Saudi Arabia.”
The word “paella” comes from the Latin “patella,” meaning pan.
In Spanish, it refers both to the rice dish itself and the pan in which it is cooked.
Paella was introduced to Spain during Moorish rule. It originated in Valencia, on the country’s eastern coast, as a rural peasant dish that was cooked by farm workers over open fires using local ingredients. Over time, the dish’s popularity spread and other versions evolved, for example featuring seafood and meat.
It is different to Saudi Arabia’s kabsa, a communal dish which similarly uses rice and meat. Kabsa is cooked in a deep pot to ensure the rice stays soft and aromatic from the meaty broth, whereas paella uses a wide, shallow pan to fully absorb flavors evenly, often creating a prized crispy layer at the bottom.
Visitors to Ithra’s Culture Days can enjoy the flavors of Spain made with a sprinkling of local love — true to the origins of the dish.
Find the scoops of Spanish joy near the food truck area and try chicken paella, seafood paella —or both! You will see the signs offering a plate, at SR35 ($9) for chicken and SR40 for seafood, or let your nose lead you there.
Zafra concluded: “The chicken is from here, the seafood is from here — and the passion, well, that is from Spain.”
