I hate to admit the fact that I have done this diet, because it sounds crazy - even to me.  And let me tell you, I have been on every crazy diet.  I have been on the one that you can only eat bananas and skim milk all day.  I have been on the rice diet.  I have been on the cabbage soup diet.  I have been on the Atkins diet.  Yet, you might think I am a quack for even mentioning The Lemonade Diet.  Why?  Because it really isn’t a diet.  It really is a fast.   As a matter of fact, even my son caught on pretty quick.  He observed me for a couple of days and then said “Mom, isn’t what you are doing really called a fast?”.   It is pretty hard to look like you are eating when all you have at the kitchen table is a glass of liquid that is a strange color with orange specks and a few seeds floating around…

The Lemonade Diet really does provide what it claims to provide - increased energy, glowing skin, very rapid weight loss, and cleansing of the body.  I did the diet for about 10 days  a little over a year ago.  I lost about 8 pounds, my body was significantly leaner, my energy was increased, I slept better, and I got a ton of compliments.  The rapid weight loss supposedly continues for up to 30 days but 10 days was challenging enough for me.  Did people notice?  Absolutely, I got tons of compliments for the couple of weeks after I did the diet.  Did I keep all of the weight off?  Nope, I kept about 3 pounds off because I totally pigged out afterwards - I think I was so freaked out psychologically over not eating for 10 days that I wanted everything in sight.  Did I have any strange cleansing experiences from the diet?  Yes, I had a unusual, large spot that showed up on my skin surface as a result of the cleansing that eventually cleared up a week or so after the diet.  Would I do it again?  Yes, although it requires an extreme level of discipline because there is no solid food involved.  You must plan this diet for a time when you are either a) willing to look like a wierdo extreme dieter or b) don’t have any social occasions that include eating situtations.

What I liked about it:  The diet is very simple.  The weight loss is very rapid and yet does not come with the typical energy drag of extreme dieting.  The body continues to glow and look good during the weight loss.  You basically have only “lemonade” - fresh lemonade made with fresh lemons, pure maple syrup and cayenne pepper.  It felt liberating in a strange way to give up food completely and not have to think about it.  This makes the diet actually better than a pure fast because you have some flavors - both sweet and sour - to quench your tastebuds and after a day the lemonade satisfied my hunger completely.  Getting past the psychological desire to eat was a good exercise to show that I do have some control over my eating, but that was quickly proven wrong when I got off the diet and proceeded to the nearest bag of chips and candy…

What I didn’t like about the diet: I couldn’t help but think that this diet couldn’t possibly be good for me.  I was worried that I might be screwing up my metabolism.  Obviously, the diet doesn’t teach any good eating habits for day-to-day but it does help you to focus on your feelings and control (or lack of it) over what you eat.  I gained a good part of the weight back.

If you take into account the weight gained back, you could lose the same amount of weight by eating a healthy, whole food diet - cutting out all of the crap and focusing on what is good for you.  If you really really really are seeking rapid weight loss that is more meaningful and sustainable, then I would recommend trying a 100% raw diet which will help provide you some good eating habits, will result in some quick weight loss and increased energy (if you have been eating a typical american diet), and will also provide significantly more nutrition throughout your day compared with the Lemonade Diet.