Those who cheat while doing The Master Cleanse are called Master Cleanse Cheats! Or are the “Master Cleanse Cheats” those tricks that are allowable, the “hacks” if you will, the grey-area you can search for to lean on when feeling confined by the strict bounds of stanley burroughs original Master Cleanser recipe.
Well we won’t point fingers and call names here. You’re not a cheat. Or a liar. Or a thief. Sorry, movie quote (or something) slipped in there.
Rather, we’ll spin the word “Cheat” to our purposes of
There are degrees of cheating. Here are some listed in order from questionability to acceptability.
Drinking more juice
Some people think the limit is 6-12 glasses and anything less or more is cheating. Drinking more simply increases your calorie intake and you will not lose as much weight. There is actually a persoanlly dependent scale of diminishing returns, which is to say there is a magic number of drinks for where you stop losing weight that is different for everyone.
Taking ingredients separately
Obviously, taking extra lemon juice, maple syrup, or a teaspoon of cayenne won’t hurt either as they are the ingredients of your lemonade. You can also suck on the pulp of one of the lemons you use to make the juice. Try taking a small dose of maple syrup alone, just to get the sweet taste unaltered by the cayenne and the lemons. Sometimes, that can be all you need to fight off psychological cravings.
Drinking Herbal Teas
These have been inferred as OK based on strict Burroughs rules that stated “Occasionally, if one has no desire for even this, try some hot peppermint tea. It gives a clean feeling and is a wonderful tonic” –however the context of this quote provides more confusion that clarity as to whether peppermint teas, and herbal teas in general are Stanley approved. I make the argument that herbal teas are already part of the routine in the form of the herbal laxative, and that at the very least Stanley mentioned one may take peppermint tea to open the smallest crack to all my rationale to allow for any herbal tea that doesn’t have a significant medicinal effect. You have to be careful, caffeine comes to mind, but herbal teas like dandelion, or licorice root are very powerful. Then there is also the confusion of what defines a “herb”. Stick to simple innocuous teas. And double down on your cheats by adding a little maple syrup or lemon, or even cayenne pepper to make your own blends.
Substitutes for Lemons, Maple Syrup, Cayenne Pepper and other Ingredients
Yes, you can substitute certain ingredients (see why lemon, why maple, why cayenne). You can even customize your cleanse, but there are many, many outcomes possible. Some are simple. Others not so much. People want to make their cheats seemingly insignificant by saying (what if I just have some other juices too?). The answer always is, you certainly can, but then your on another form of Juice Fast, and no longer doing The Master Cleanse. Long story short, unless your a “Master” cleanser, keep your cheats to those listed on the “Master Cleanse CHEAT SHEET” and you’ll be fine. When you’re a Master Cheater, you’ll know it.
Eating “Other” Foods
Digesting any food will cause your body to be less efficient at eliminating archived waste. By eating, you’ll set of a cascade of events that is the miracle of digestion, metabolism, immunity and so much more. The Master Cleanse was designed to rest your digestive system and instruct your body to enter a new phase of being, called autophagy, which is like a “spring cleaning” for your body and cells now that it has a chance to get rid of any junk or waste material that may have built up, and repair the damage of oxidative stress. When you start eating, this phase shifts out, and you lose the wonderful, well documented science of cellular rejuvenation. That said, If you must cheat, simply take more of the ingredients included in the diet and if that won’t do, don’t break more than one law at a time. Try organic, easily digestible juices or pastes. Sometimes, I suck on half a teaspoon of peanut butter (don’t tell anyone), but be WARNED: Cheating with hard to digest complex foods will likely lead to some digestion problems, usually not serious but it can be, and it is almost always a little uncomfortable.
Chew-Spitting
Chewing and not swallowing will cause your body to begin the digestive process and secrete acids. This is bad for your stomach – so, no gum either. I admit I have been guilty of this during my 2nd attempt (both epic fails). There is also the added problem of setting gut-mind imbalances that are at the heart of eating disorders like bulimia. You might think this Master Cleanse cheat is less cheaty than actually eating other foods, and you would be what I call wrong (ish). If you’re going to eat. Commit to it. The food tease is more harmful than the food. Your body knows what to do with food. It doesn’t know what to do when food starts coming, but then doesn’t arrive.
Swallowing Other Stuff
Leading our FAQ’s is always questions about prescriptions and supplements, as well as a common trick of taking your cayenne capsule form. You should stay on your medications because because generally speaking any problems of a hard-quit of these is more problematic than staying on them. But the rest isn’t needed. Especially anything artificial that causes a digestive process to unfold. I always picture that supplement laying barren on the fields of my stomach lining while all the acids and juices and enzymes etc. descend upon this little hard, non-food-stuff.
What to do if you cheat on The Master Cleanse?
You have two choices: Quit, or keep going (duh right). But it is really that simple. Yes, you impacted your cleanse. But just as you started, you can easily just re-start. Then again if you cheated because you really aren’t ready for this, and binged out for a day or more, maybe you should re-group and try again with a fresh mental slate.
Is there a Master Cleanse Cheat Day?
With the rise in interest towards Fasting and Intermittent Fasting, many people are starting to ask about cheat days. Because of the nature of the fasted state, and being in it for a long term phase as opposed to single meal skipping, or short term 1-day fasts, you really should cheat in the sense of a Fast/Feast dynamic. BUT… that said. YOu can certainly modulate your fasted state into a Ease-Between phase, where you take Smoothies, Soups, Salads etc. in a similar fashion as to the Ease-In or Ease-Out. Depending on how long you’re been in a long-term fasted state, the longer your transition to more complex foods should be.
Juice fasting as a cheat day sounds pretty good to me!
Is it acceptable to occasionally drink mineral water or seltzer water?
Is the cleanse safe for diabetics, specially when it’s time to start on the orange juice?
Didn’t take lax tea or swf on day 1. Am on day 2 now, took lax tea, still no bowel movement. I’ll take one more tea tonight before bed. If no movement tmrw morning, I’ll take lax tea and then swf tmrw evening. Sound like a plan?
You will need a toilet 45-60 minutes after the SWF – guaranteed.
Yesterday was day 1 of my Master Cleanse. I had a TERRIBLE headache by the end of the day and could barely sleep due to it. I woke up still having that TERRIBLE headache (worse then a sinus migraine). I’m at the point were I almost want to just stop the cleanse due to this (but I really don’t want to give up). How long will the headaches go on for and can I take Tylenol or any suggestions on how to deal with the headaches?
I would say that you might not be drinking enough lemonade. If your body is extremely low on calories it can make your head hurt. I took some Ibuprofen while on the cleanse and it didn’t hurt me. If you have a chance to take a nap in the middle of the day ito might help you shrug off that head ache. If it persists for long periods of time you should go off the cleanse, if that doesn’t help it, go to the hospital.
I Had the same thing!! Almost a migraine. I figure it is from cutting caffeine.
Anyone use this cleanse to clear skin problems? I’ve been fighting eczema for 2+ years. Have been told this will work.
Anyone have eczema? Will this cleanse fix it? I’ve tried everything!!! I did an elimination diet and was only eating veggies and lean meat, eczema improved but didn’t go away. I’ve been told that this cleanse will fix it. Looking for anyone who has had the cleanse fix skin problems. And how long did you cleanse? Thanks
I am on day three and have had bowel movement each day without salt water flush.I am waiting until I have no bm to start
I am only on my third day on the “first time user” MC. I cheated today with a 1/2 cup of chicken broth (no noodles) and it seemed to revitalize me. I don’t know if I feel any different yet, (as far as energy and all) but I am glad my bathroom trips are less frequent today. Yesterday, I practically moved in, but enough of that.
I started the cleanse program in an effort to help with my hair loss issues and am hoping it helps, but, if I can lose a few pounds too, I’ll take it.
Good luck everyone!
Hi Celeste, are you still on the cleanse? Today is my Day 1 and I’m looking for a buddy to get some support! :)
I found the salt water to be JUST like chicken broth. That’s what I told myself it was and it was suddenly lovely.
Hi, I’m on my 8 day of the MC. my original goal was 10 days but I am in a weight loss challenge that ends next week so I wanted to continue for a total of 15 days. I know the purpose of the MC is not weight loss but I was hoping for great results. I am down 6lbs but feel I should have lost more weight. I stop doing the salt water flush in the AM because the first couple days I was not losing weight. Should I start it again? Also I wanted to have a small cheat day on easter sunday and then continue. Would that be ok?
I don’t know if the salt water flush is good for everyone. I’ve done this cleanse a few times over the years with great results and never used the salt flush. Last summer I used the salt flush and gained five pounds and had severrre constipation. It ruined my cleanse. starting another this week and will not be using salt.
Im on my 16th day and i cheated with grilled fish,grilled chicken,celery soup and small smount of yakisoba …argh! I was annoyed by myself…i was just about to buy lemons but its expensive so i got pissed and end up buying food…can i still continue my master cleanse? I really like the cleanse…i feel good and have extra strength…except the swf and laxative tea( thats a very hard to drink) and i have to wake up early just to drink swf…
Hi Janice,
Yes, no worries. Just keep going if you’re feeling great. Continue to be aware of your self, how you feel and your bodies needs.
Cheers, Mike
Thank u…this master cleanse is really awesome…i feel the strength and i really feel good even thou its really hard waking up early to drink swf…my friends think how i work 12 hours everyday without any solid food …i said i really feel good…not like before the cleanse i was always tired and feeling pain on my body…i just noticed the runny nose and feeling cold is always there…i admit at first i just wannal lose weight…but when this cleanse gave me strength and feeling light everyday i changed my mind…im gonna continue the master cleanse not just for losing weight…having a good feeling is awesome and the strength is wow (losing weight is just a bonus) to all starting master cleanse …keep pushing…its better to heal our body rather than seeing a doctor to get injected or drink meds…God bless all :-)