21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox

21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox

21 Pounds in 21 Days is the New York Times bestseller by Dr. Roni DeLuz and James Hester, published by HarperCollins in 2007. It sets out the 21-day detox Dr. Roni developed for guests at her retreats on Martha’s Vineyard, adapted so readers can follow it at home.

Where the book came from

Before it was a book, the Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox was what guests did at Dr. Roni’s retreats on the island. They came for help with their health, and many lost weight along the way. In 2007 Dr. Roni and James Hester wrote the method down so people who could not travel to the Vineyard could follow it too.

What the program involves

At its heart is a 21-day period of liquid nutrition, designed to give the digestive system a rest while keeping the body nourished, followed by a careful return to solid food. Today Dr. Roni teaches it as a 28-day pathway: 21 days of liquid nutrition, then seven days of reintroduction, leading into PEVY eating (proteins, enzymes, essential fats and vegetables) for the long term.

Three ways to follow it

On your own with the book.
At home with support through the 21-day online detox, with the detox kit and online community.
On the island with Dr. Roni at the 4-day detox retreat or the weight loss retreat.

Before you start

A liquid-nutrition detox is not right for everyone. Talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication for diabetes or blood pressure, have kidney or heart disease, or have a history of disordered eating.

The follow-up, 1 Pound a Day, covers how to keep eating well once the detox is over.

Questions people ask

What is 21 Pounds in 21 Days about?

It sets out the Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox, a 21-day liquid-nutrition detox Dr. Roni DeLuz developed for guests at her retreats on Martha’s Vineyard, adapted for readers to follow at home.

Who wrote 21 Pounds in 21 Days?

Dr. Roni DeLuz, a nurse-trained naturopathic doctor on Martha’s Vineyard, with James Hester. It was published by HarperCollins in 2007 and became a New York Times bestseller.

Is there support for following the book?

Yes. The 21-day online detox follows the same method with a detox kit and an online community, and the 4-day detox retreat lets you start it on the island with Dr. Roni.

Can I really lose 21 pounds in 21 days?

Some people on Dr. Roni’s retreats did, which is where the title comes from. Results vary widely with your starting weight and health, and much of the early change is water. Talk to your doctor before any liquid diet if you take medication or have a health condition.