By now you’ve completed the Master Cleanse (also known as Beyonce’s Maple Syrup Diet or the Lemonade Diet) and completed three days (Day #1) (Day #2) (Day #3) of gently allowing your body to adjust to processing solid foods once again.
You should start your fourth day off the cleanse with easily digested foods such as unsweetened fruit juice, vegetable soup (from day two), vegetable salad or fresh fruits.
If you’ve spent any time during your fast considering your lifestyle and the foods you used to eat, you’re probably pretty anxious to get started on a healthier lifestyle now. Coming off the fast only to dive into high fat and processed foods will just waste all the time and energy (not to mention willpower) that you put into completing the fast in the first place!
You should aim for about 1500 calories per day to maintain your loss on the fast. 1500 Calories can actually mean a good deal of food if you’re making the right choices. By choosing fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains while continuing to drink plenty of water throughout the day, you should find 1500 calories quite filling.
Personally, I found that beginning the Body-for-Life program immediately after completing the fast was an excellent way to start a healthier lifestyle. The exercise required is actually very light and putting balanced meals together with the Eating-for-Life program was simple and quick.
Whatever you choose to implement as your new lifestyle after completing the Master Cleanse, here are a few suggestions to keep you from ever getting too far off track again:
Don’t go back to coffee. A caffeine addiction isn’t what you need right now. You’ve been drinking herbal teas so try a few different flavors and see if one of them will satisfy your need for a warm cup in the morning.
Don’t over do the orange juice. It is loaded with calories (about 120 per eight-ounce glass) and many brands actually add sugar. If you must have juice, go for the low-carb juices, or something like V-8 Splash, which has only 10 calories per 8oz. glass. (Remember, eight ounces is actually one standard measuring Cup. Many of us drink from 16, 20 or 32 ounce glasses. Fill one of those with orange juice and you are looking at a full day’s supply of calories!)
Try to avoid soda. Go with sugar free sparkling water with a wedge of lemon or lime squeezed into it or try a sugar free product like “Clear Choice” that is sodium, calorie and caffeine free.
If you must have dessert, consider sugar free Jello pudding or gelatin.
Try to eat more soup. Making a large pot of soup on the weekend and freezing it in single serving containers for quick microwaving during the week is a great idea.
Switch to whole grain breads. Peperidge Farm Light Style is a great bread and very low in calories.
Do you have any healthy suggestions? If so, please visit our forum (by clicking here) and post them for everyone to read!
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