A Post-Cleanse Menu

I've mentioned before that you should spend half the amount of time you spent cleansing on a gentle easing-out process. So, for example, if like me you spent 10 days fasting, you should invest the following 5 days in getting your digestive system back in working order. This is important not only because your stomach will be unaccustomed to solid foods, but also because you must get used to processing waste without the use of a laxative. If your primary reason for going on the Master Cleanse was to lose weight, it is especially vital to your results that you take the ease-out seriously; although some of the weight you lose whist fasting will be uncontrollably regained through water content, you can keep off the rest through healthy eating and exercise. I've read that women can lose an average of 16lbs through the Master Cleanse, but will regain approximately 6lbs of this. Therefore, if you're careful about what you do when the lemonade drinking is over, you can expect to lose 10lbs in 10 days! Not bad, huh? I should point out at this stage that weight loss is not the primary function of the Master Cleanse; whether you're interested in shedding pounds or detoxifying, the following ease-out menu is a good place to start when the fasting is finished:

Day 1 : freshly squeezed orange juice, herbal teas, water and an evening laxative
Day 2 : freshly squeezed orange juice, herbal teas, water, broth, light soup, soft fruit (such as berries and kiwi fruit)
Day 3: herbal teas, broth, light soup, raw vegetables, salad, soft fruit, water
Day 4: see Day 3
Day 5: herbal teas, water, soft fruit, raw vegetables, broth, soup, salad, steamed vegetables, minimal wholegrain food (dunking bread in your soup, or a bowl of fruit and cereal, etc...)

If you've been cleansing longer than 10 days, you can use this menu as a template and stretch it out. Although it may seem a little dull on paper, reintroducing solid foods and difficult-to-digest food groups with care and patience is vital to your success. Furthermore, it may help you to adjust your diet and alter your relationship with food. Try to enjoy shopping for colourful fruits and vegetables, experiment with the flavours of home-made soup, and reintroduce treats (if you want to) only on the day after ease-out. Some Master Cleanse websites state that you can "go back to normal eating" on day 4. Personally, I don't really feel like doing this at the end of my cleanse. Whilst I miss my favourite chocolates, the detoxification process has helped me to break some of my addictions to processed food, both physically and psychologically. Good luck with the ease-out process!! Happy Eating!!!