Correctly use delicious and healthy lemons for weight loss

Lemon is not only a tasty and healthy citrus. With its help, the body is effectively cleansed and excess weight is lost. However, this diet is not suitable for everyone: for some it is too harsh, and for others their health does not allow them to eat sour fruits. How to lose weight with lemon and water, what are the secrets of the citrus diet - we will tell you further.

Is it possible to eat lemons when losing weight and why?

It is advisable to include in a diet for weight loss lemon, because it contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, helps improve digestion and prevents the absorption of sugar that enters the body with food.

Does lemon help you lose weight, burn fat or not?

The participation of lemon in the process of weight loss is better absorption of calcium. It is this mineral that replaces fat in cells. Daily inclusion in the diet juice, pulp and lemon zest allows you to enjoy chocolate, cheeses, ice cream and other protein-rich foods even during some diet options.

Attention! Lemon is not capable of burning fat. It activates metabolic processes, dulls the feeling of hunger, and removes waste and toxins.

How many calories does a lemon burn?

Lemon, like any product, does not burn calories. But consuming this citrus daily allows you to generally reduce the energy value of the food entering the body.

Selection and storage of lemon for these purposes

This fruit can be thin-skinned or thick-skinned. In the second case, there is less pulp and juice.

Delicious lemon for long-term storage has the following characteristics:

• uniform yellow color;
• smooth surface without dents, rough wrinkles and cracks;
• the aroma characteristic of this fruit, which is noticeable even through the peel;
• elasticity (too hard - unripe);
• release of essential oils (leave sticky marks on hands).

If the lemon is too shiny or does not have a distinct aroma, it means that it has been treated with chemicals, and this fruit is not worth buying.

Fresh lemons, when properly stored, retain their taste, aroma and nutrients for up to 1.5 months. To do this, they are washed, dried and placed in closed containers. For greater safety, each lemon is individually wrapped in paper. Store in the refrigerator on the lower shelves.

Another way is a jar of water. Place lemons in a clean glass container, fill with cold water and put in a cool place. The water is changed daily.

The rules for storing lemons are simple - high-quality fruit and a dark, cool place. If at least one of the lemons is spoiled, all the others will also begin to rot during storage.

How to eat fruit when fighting excess weight

For weight loss, use all parts of the lemon - zest, pulp and juice. They are added to salads, sauces, and dressings. Juice is poured over meat and fish during or after cooking. Drink lemon juice diluted with water on an empty stomach to activate digestion.

Daily consumption rates

Every day – no more than 1-2 fruits. Excessive consumption of citrus fruits leads to negative consequences: skin rashes, heartburn, nausea, and increased blood pressure. Too small an amount (a few lobes) will not have an effect when losing weight.

How and in what form to take

The juice of a whole lemon is squeezed out and diluted with water to make one glass (200 ml).The drink is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. Chopped zest is included in salads, baked goods, vegetable dishes, meat or fish. The pulp is eaten pure or as part of any dish.

Note! Green tea with lemon is beneficial. When cold, the drink refreshes and quenches thirst.

Recipes with lemons for losing weight

During the diet, dishes and drinks with the addition of lemon are useful.

Kefir with lemon

Add 1 tbsp to a glass of low-fat yogurt or kefir. l. lemon juice. Drink before bed.

Drink with ginger

Squeeze the juice of three lemons. Zest, a small piece of ginger root (2.5-3 cm), a bunch of mint, 1 tbsp. granulated sugar and 3 tbsp. beat the water using a blender. Add squeezed lemon juice and mix.

Consume by diluting in half with mineral water.

Coffee with lemon

Add 1 tbsp to a cup of freshly brewed coffee. l. juice and 1 tbsp. l. lemon zest. If necessary, add a little sugar.

Lemon water for weight loss

When losing weight, a prerequisite is compliance with the drinking regime. Water in an amount of 1.5-2 liters per day improves metabolism and helps eliminate waste and toxins. Lemon water performs the same function, but with additional effects.

Thanks to lemon water:

• Digestion improves, intestines are cleansed;
• under the influence of citric acid, toxins are broken down and removed;
• carbohydrates are burned;
• the mood lifts.

You should not drink lemon water if you have high stomach acidity, hypertension, diabetes, or gallstones.

To diversify the diet, different versions of the drink are prepared.

Classic recipe

For 1 tbsp. add a slice of lemon to boiling water. Leave for 30 minutes, take on an empty stomach. Instead of a slice of lemon, you can add juice from half the fruit.

Lemon with ginger

At 3 tbsp.boiling water add finely grated ginger root (1 tbsp) and a whole lemon cut into slices. Leave for 10 minutes. Take during or after meals. You should not drink this drink on an empty stomach - it will cause digestive problems.

Sassi water

Lemon (1 piece) is cut into slices, fresh cucumber – into circles. Grind ginger root (1.5-2 cm) and 10 peppermint leaves. Pour all ingredients into 2 liters of cold, settled or filtered water. Place in the refrigerator for 10 hours. Drink in several doses throughout the day. The course is 2 weeks with a break of 1 month.

Reference. This drink is named after the nutritionist Cynthia Sassi who proposed it.

With grapefruit

Half a grapefruit and a lemon are cut into slices and kneaded. Add 1 liter of warm water. After 15 minutes the drink is ready. Take 0.5 tbsp. 3-4 times a day. Half a grapefruit can be replaced with one orange.

Important! Any drink based on lemon water should only be drunk through a straw, otherwise there is a risk of damaging tooth enamel.

Diets with lemons

The use of citrus fruits for weight loss has its own peculiarities. The diet will be effective if you limit yourself in food, increase physical activity, and consume enough fiber (vegetables and fruits). Those with health problems need to consult a doctor.

The lemon diet helps:

• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• improve metabolism;
• reduce gas formation;
• improve the condition of skin, nails, hair;
• increase vitality.

In addition, the presence of lemons in the diet prevents the development of diabetes. However, for those who already have high blood glucose levels, it is better to avoid this diet.

The lemon diet may cause:

• heartburn;
• hypertension;
• sensitivity of tooth enamel;
• problems with the pancreas.

When following the lemon diet, alcohol, homemade and store-bought baked goods, canned and semi-finished products, fatty, fried, salted, smoked foods, foods with a high starch content, and fast food are prohibited.

The following is included in the diet:

• fruits and vegetables;
• whole wheat bread;
• cereals;
• fish;
• lean types of meat.

For all lemon diets, an important condition is not to overeat. The food is chewed long and thoroughly. The diet is divided into 4-5 meals. Avoid snacks.

Duration options

Diets with lemon provide different durations - from an express version for 3 days to 7, 10 and 14 days. The choice depends on your health status and goal (quickly lose 2-3 kg or permanent weight loss). Be sure to take breaks for 3-4 weeks so as not to provoke gastrointestinal diseases or allergic reactions.

Menu options

There are many types of lemon diet. Variety is achieved by including additional foods in the diet. But all diets contain the same ingredient - lemon water in various variations.

Fasting days

Once every two weeks, if possible, refuse food, leaving only lemon water in the diet. It maintains strength and effectively cleanses the intestines in the absence of other products. During the day, drink up to 2 liters of the drink. It is acceptable to eat one apple.

Advice. If the taste is too sour, add 1 tsp to the lemon water. honey or 2-3 mint leaves.

Express diet for 3 days – minus 4 kg

1st day:

• lemon water (up to 2 liters per day);
• kefir (3 tbsp. during the day);
• fruits (in any quantity).

Day 2:

• for breakfast – steamed oatmeal with the addition of apples;
• for lunch - low-fat yogurt;
• Drink only plain water throughout the day.

3rd day:

• 4 baked apples in several stages;
• lemon water with honey or cinnamon.

Menu for 7 days – minus 7 kg

1st day:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water, 2 soft-boiled eggs;
• for lunch – chicken broth, 2 slices of whole grain bread;
• for an afternoon snack - grapefruit;
• for dinner - stewed salmon with vegetables and lemon.

Day 2:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and granola;
• for lunch - vegetable salad with shrimp and lemon juice;
• for an afternoon snack – 1 green apple;
• for dinner - boiled chicken breast with brown rice and spinach.

3rd day:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and cottage cheese casserole;
• for lunch - any white fish with vegetables;
• for an afternoon snack - a handful of almonds;
• for dinner - steamed veal cutlets, boiled beets with lemon and yogurt.

4th day:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and oatmeal with nuts;
• for lunch - vegetable soup with chicken broth and 2 slices of rye bread;
• for afternoon snack – orange;
• for dinner - baked chicken with rice and vegetables.

Day 5:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and omelet with zucchini and green peas;
• for lunch - vegetable salad with chicken and lemon juice;
• for an afternoon snack - a green apple;
• for dinner - any steamed fish with buckwheat and spinach.

Day 6:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and low-fat cottage cheese with berries;
• for lunch - spaghetti with seafood;
• for an afternoon snack – 1 slice of whole grain bread with avocado;
• for dinner – boiled chicken breast with vegetables.

Day 7:

• for breakfast – 1 tbsp. lemon water and cottage cheese dumplings (replace flour with oatmeal ground in a coffee grinder);
• for lunch - vegetable salad with salmon and lemon juice;
• for an afternoon snack - 0.5 tbsp. any nuts except peanuts;
• for dinner – beef stew with legumes (beans, green peas, lentils to choose from).

It is important to exit any diet correctly so that problems with the gastrointestinal tract do not arise.In the first 2-3 days, it is forbidden to eat flour and confectionery products; raw vegetables and fruits are introduced. On days 4-5, the diet is replenished with solid food and potatoes. Be sure to continue drinking 1.5-2 liters of water per day.

Reviews of those losing weight

The popularity of lemon diets is caused not only by their effectiveness, but also by the variety of menus. The diet helps you quickly lose extra pounds and give up unhealthy foods.

Tatyana, 28 years old: “I gained a lot of weight after my second birth and haven’t been able to get into shape for several years now. The lemon diet helps control appetite, so the weight gradually disappears. Lemon water is now my favorite drink."

Igor, 43 years old: “When the doctor said that I was on the verge of diabetes, I had to look for an opportunity to lose weight. But I don’t stick to diets, and all these avocados and steamed cutlets are not for me. But water with lemon helps me. I began to lose weight before my eyes. I just don't feel like eating. And the portions have become smaller.”

Margarita, 19 years old: “My classical dance teacher has been using the lemon diet all his life to stay in shape. When the girls return after the holidays, she puts us all on “lemon and water”, and we “dry out” very quickly. Personally, I’m so used to it that literally everything I eat is sprinkled with lemon juice.”

Conclusion

In the fight against excess weight, good remedies are: benefit the body in the form of improved digestion, replenishment of vitamin deficiencies, increased performance. The unique property of lemon is that it not only fights fat deposits, but also reduces appetite. As a result, the amount of calories consumed from food decreases naturally. If you use lemon as a seasoning instead of sour cream, mayonnaise and vegetable fats, this will further promote weight loss.