Lose weight with lemons

Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck

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We've taken Beyonce's weight-loss secret but made it healthier and sustainable

START YOUR DAY HEALTHY by drinking lemon water. All photos courtesy of Rachel Alejandro

MANILA, Philippines – Can lemon juice help you lose weight? 

Superstar Beyonce reportedly lost 20 pounds quickly on the Master Cleanse Lemonade Fast, an all-liquid diet consisting of a mixture of fresh lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. It is taken 6-12 times a day without any kind of solid food.

I have to admit that Beyonce did look fabulous and waif-like in her role as Deena in the movie, Dreamgirls. In my opinion, though, it’s not the “magic” lemon concoction that made her lose the drastic amount of weight but the lack of calories she consumed in a day. 

Anyone who doesn’t eat and only drinks juice for two whole weeks will definitely lose weight.

It is also known that Beyonce gained the 20 pounds back as soon as she returned to her old eating habits. With any crash diet, weight loss is temporary and even causes the metabolism to slow down. 

When the body experiences starvation, it protects itself by storing fat in order to survive. The body starts to break down muscle tissue instead of burning fat.  

So what is it with lemons and weight loss? 

Lemons are high in fiber, a fat-fighting nutrient that controls hunger pangs, reduces cravings and aids in digestion. 

Lemon juice is also high in vitamin C; this allows the body to absorb more calcium. Recent studies have shown that calcium not only builds stronger bones but also prevents the storage of fat.

In Sexy Chef, I make sure to include a daily serving of lemon water in our Eat Clean 7-Day Detox Program because of its cleansing and anti-bloating properties.

Lemon juice also purifies the blood, prevents constipation, regulates blood sugar and controls high blood pressure.

Instead of advising my clients to fast for days on lemon juice alone, I encourage them to include it in a well-balanced diet instead. Lemons alone will not provide all the nutrients the body needs in order to function properly.

NOTHING BEATS TANGY, HOMEMADE lemon vinaigrette

There are many ways to incorporate lemons in your diet:  

  • Start off by drinking lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Just mix the juice of half a lemon with a cup of warm water and sweeten with Stevia or low-glycemic coconut syrup.  
  • Squeeze lemon juice on seafood or use it as marinade for chicken and beef dishes  
  • Whip up your own zesty lemon vinaigrette for your favorite salad. Simply mix one part lemon juice with 3 parts heart-healthy olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

The lemon is truly a miracle fruit with many health benefits under its belt. Drink lemon water as part of a holistic lifestyle.  

When life throws you lemons, make lemonade! – Rappler.com

 

Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck is a chef and the VP of product development for The Sexy Chef, OBC 5 Star, Inc., a health food catering company that specializes in creating healthy meals.

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