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Cabbage Soup Diet

Cabbage Soup Diet

The very definition of an ill-advised fad diet.

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What is it?

Cabbage Soup Diet is a weight loss plan said to be a short term solution for 10 pounds of weight loss in a week. It emphasizes eating an unlimited amount of cabbage soup, and many different websites offer different variations.

Generally, one is allowed to eat certain added fruits and vegetables depending on the day of the diet. It’s unknown who came up it with this plan, but it’s believed to have started in the 1980’s. It’s considered a crash diet, and much like other similar diets is advised only for a few days with no guarantee of long term weight loss. Our experts reviewed many diets and found the 18Shake Diet to be the best solution for weight loss. Discover more about the 18Shake Diet by clicking on the link found here.

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Cabbage Soup Diet Ingredients and Side Effects

The Cabbage Soup Diet dies not rely on diet pills or pre-packaged foods, all the food eaten have to be prepared. One website that promotes the Cabbage Soup Diet says:

“not suitable for long-term weight loss”

It’s instead intended:

“If you have a special occasion coming up or you simply need to lose weight fast”

Often it will be advised that in order to maintain the diet one should follow these rules:

  • Drink a minimum of 4 glasses of water.
  • Take a multivitamin.
  • Eating as much soup as possible, not starving oneself.
  • Introducing different recipes to avoid boredom.

A 2 week break is recommended for people who want to restart the diet. Cabbage isn’t the only produce allowed; one can also add things like onions, celery, asparagus, zucchini, squash, barley, some meats, and many different seasonings.

Though this can be healthy, relying on it solely can potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies. Web MD also adds:

“this crash diet won’t help you in the long run, and it doesn’t give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy”

Furthermore, they add:

“Health experts don’t recommend following very low-calorie diets unless you’re under a doctor’s care”

This is due to there being numerous damaging health effects that the diet can have. A list of the highest rated diet plans is found in the link provided here.

The results of this diet are not likely to continue, as Web MD confirms:

“you’ll like regain any weight that you lose”

“It will likely leave you feeling hungry, weak, and bored. You might even feel sick”

This is because there’s a lack of adequate food options. It’s not offered as a long term solution, and instead is said to be a quick weight loss solution. There’s one Cabbage Soup Diet website that admits:

“A lot of people quit because the soup can be a bit bland, and they quickly tire of eating it every day”

There are several considerations to keep in mind. It’s not recommended for long-term use, and it’s believed the only reason one might lose weight is due to water weight and not fat. Live Strong.com adds:

“It’s possible to lose as much as 20 pounds of body weight during one week, most of which is water”

This is likely the reason why one sees any weight loss from this diet, since it’s low in carbohydrates and high in fluids, most water weight is flushed out of the body. As you’ll see in the “Customer Opinions of Cabbage Soup Diet”, many customers regained their weight as soon as they stopped the diet.

One popular variation of the diet allows for the following:

  • Day one: Unlimited fruit except for bananas alongside water, tea, and coffee.
  • Day two: No fruit, only raw vegetables and one baked potato
  • Day three: Unlimited fruits and vegetables except for potatoes and bananas.
  • Day four: 8 bananas and unlimited skimmed milk.
  • Day five: 6 tomatoes and 565g of beef
  • Day six: Unlimited vegetables and beef but no potatoes.
  • Day seven: Some brown rice and sugar free fruit juice.

A comprehensive list of the top 10 diet plans is offered in the link provided here.       

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.

Cabbage Soup Diet Quality of Ingredients

Many of the ingredients are healthy as it relies on fresh produce and grains. However, there is an issue with boredom as the same basic good groups have to be eaten repeatedly.

Also, there’s no science that eating only cabbage soup is healthy and safe. A Dr. Melinda Ratini says:

“You’ll likely get less than 1,000 calories a day on the limited menu. That’s far fewer than the 2,000 daily calories recommended for most adults”

“The pounds come off quickly, but mostly you’ll lose water weight”

“chances are, you’ll regain it all back as soon as you start eating a normal diet again”

The diet was made to help one with weight loss in a one week period, but this does not mean it will help with long term weight loss. Health experts also agree it’s likely not a quality solution for weight loss due to its limited food options. A top 10 list of the highest ranked diet plans is offered in the link provided here.

The Price and Quality of Cabbage Soup Diet

The price depends on where one gets their grocery from, as no prepackaged foods are needed.

The diet does advise to get a multivitamin, due to the lack of food options that are high in nutrients. It’s also necessary to eat unlimited amounts of cabbage soup. This means one will have to cook for the full 7 days, as the diet also limits the kinds of seasonings through reducing sodium provided from salt.

Due to the lack of clinical studies proving that this is an effective and safe weight loss solution, it’s a very poor diet. A comprehensive top 10 list features the highest rated diet pills.

The Mayo Clinic also had this to say:

“Fad diets like this one may be tempting, but keep in mind that long-term weight loss depends on making lasting healthy changes”

The changes needed in this diet are too short term to truly be a quality solution for weight loss.

Business of Cabbage Soup Diet

It’s unknown who created this diet, though many websites offer books and tips. Each group offers slightly different advice, with the only key thing being that you can only eat cabbage soup alongside some fruits and vegetables for a total of 7 days.

The diet will often be presented in either a free format via a PDF, or through a book. There are no claims that anyone made this diet, though each book claims it has the optimal guide. There are often recipe books offered as well as tips.

No studies or proof that this diet actually works and is safe is available anywhere. This makes it impossible to determine why the diet was created and suggested in the way it’s displayed. It also allows many different groups to make claims about what to add to the diet, without providing any proof. Our experts compiled a list of the highest rated diet plans in the list featured here.

EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.

Customer Opinions of Cabbage Soup Diet

Here are some reviews from users who have used this diet:

“Cabbage soup is not a filler upper”

“I see no real physical weight loss”

“have quite a headache”

“worst heart burn I have ever had”

People did mention they lost weight, but that they often gained it all back one they resumed eating. This makes sense as it’s likely the only reason one is losing weight is due to water weight.

Some also experienced side effects such as gas, bloating, and nausea. There were also concerns from people that they quickly became bored of it, and that they often felt like quitting. A list of the highest ranked diet plans is available in the link provided here.

Conclusion - Does Cabbage Soup Diet Work?

There are many things to consider about the Cabbage Soup Diet. There’s no science or proof that this diet actually works, and that’s why there’s many different variations on it. Many people who tried it say they regained all their weight loss, which is common for crash diets that serve to reduce water weight instead of fat. Health experts on the Mayo Clinic and Web MD website also confirm its likely not safe or effective for real weight loss.

The highest rated diet plan of 2024 was found to be the 18Shake Diet. It combines a high protein, appetite suppressing meal replacement as well as a natural stimulant free metabolism booster. Many customers say it’s effective for weight loss, and that it’s easy to use. There are no added filler ingredients, stimulants, or processed additives. It contains only natural extracts and ingredients clinically shown to help with weight loss. Many users have left glowing testimonials and positive reviews on their website.

The 18Shake Diet offers its supplements with a full 30 day money back guarantee. Returns are allowed within these 30 days with no risk and no questions asked. Learn more about the 18Shake Diet by clicking the link provided here.

How Does Cabbage Soup Diet Compare?
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Wikipedia

The Cabbage soup diet is a radical weight loss diet designed around heavy consumption of a low-calorie cabbage soup over the time of seven days. It is generally considered a fad diet, in that it is designed for short-term weight-loss and requires no long-term commitment. It has inspired several copy-cats based around similar principles.

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User Feedback

(Page 12 of 37, 727 total comments)

terri

+

hello i have done the diet for 2 weeks now and lost 18pounds am so please and i am still gona carry on with the cabbage diet but am going to cut down on it and start just eating healthy doing loads off situps help shift the weight quicker why ur on the diet! :)

posted Jan 21st, 2011 1:22 pm


Mags

I pureed my soup, which makes it much more palatable. Also, first batch I made Italian style (added garlic, chillies and oregano and freshly chopped parsley or basil when serving), second batch, Moroccan style (added cumin, hot curry powder, ginger powder, cardamon seeds and turmeric, fresh chopped cilantro or mint when serving). I don't get bored with it, as I made them taste good without cheating. Am on banana day today, which is the hardest so far. Bad taste in my mouth, feeling tired (I have been doing strenuous walks though), but ok to see out the week. Have lost nearly 3kg's so far.

posted Jan 20th, 2011 6:52 pm


kristina

so im starting the diet 2marrow any advice on that i want to lose 70pounds so im hoping this will be a jump start what kind of diet should i do after i finish the soup diet

posted Jan 17th, 2011 4:40 pm


tao

day 4 today and i have lost 8 lbs so far
i like the soup but i am happy not to have every day !!!lol

posted Jan 14th, 2011 3:22 pm


anthony

Ok, the reason why you loose weight on Cabbage soup in that it is an aromatase inhibitor. It blocks the production of estrogen. Most people gain weight because of hormone imbalances.

posted Jan 11th, 2011 3:07 am


bigbird

OK I lost 5lbs, and he lost 10lbs wheres the fairness in that! I am disappointed when you see some people on here losing at least 10lbs and some more, but the good thing is my bacon and egg tasted abosutely like heaven this morning, (Slimming world of course)

posted Jan 8th, 2011 3:37 pm


bigbird

Last day just eaten my rice and veg, good job really i am sooooo sick of veg soup. I hope that the weigh in, in the morning shows that all this has been worth it. Not sure my husbands moods have been worth the support of him doing it with me, and I will probably be savage if he loses more weight than me but I am optimistic watch this space....

posted Jan 7th, 2011 7:34 pm


ingrid

+

My soup is cooking right now.....I tried this diet few years ago and couldn't finish it succesfully...:((( I will try again and hopefully, with the help of my knowdlege now, I will stick with it....

posted Jan 7th, 2011 2:20 am


CaboInMAY!!!

@ Ivette
i'll join in with you!!! a tad late but I started mine today!
I'm 29, 5'0 and now weigh 115. A few years back i was reaaally healthy and very active and i weighed 102lbs (i'm a small frame and was lean). I got together with my bf about 2 n half years ago so i put on some "happy" weight since we always went out. Well now i not only have my best friends bachelorette in Mexico in May but my brothers wedding in July. I lack motivation even though it's all staring me in my face!!!! Ahhh!

Never done this diet before but today was my first day. I see so many different ranges of weight lost...some ppl 6lbs some people 16. I'm gonna go in the middle and hope that i lose about 8-9?
So far so good. Soups good too!
Anyone my size and age had any luck?

Ivette .....keep me posted :)

Good luck everyone!

posted Jan 5th, 2011 6:53 am


bigbird

+

Cabbage soup my arse its vegetable soup really, you can make it taste much better with spices and stuff, husband agreed to do it with me, not sure that was a good idea. He's a grumpy little oink at the best of times, this had made him worse and I've never heard so much moaning although he now feels much better and we're only on day 5. Even if I don't lose any weight it has made us really take a good hard look at actually what we have been eating ! Not going back there

posted Jan 4th, 2011 8:38 pm


Sam

day 6 ... I have lost 4 pounds so far, which is not a lot. I have not had any problem with this diet since I started, no sickness, still full of energy. The meat day is awesome :)

posted Jan 2nd, 2011 12:55 am


Ivette

Thanks for your reviews. I will give it a try. Hopefully, some else could join me, to start on January 1, 2010.

posted Dec 31st, 2010 4:52 am


Sam

My first day today, and already lost almost 2lbs at the end of the night :) too soon to tell but it is looking good so far.

posted Dec 28th, 2010 8:13 am


Vanessa

+

I have completed this diet back in March 2010 when i was 94 kilos. I did this for 1 week & managed to lose 7 kilos.

This diet was a kick start to better eating and 7 months later i now weigh 30 kilos lighter.

You must stick to this diet & NOT cheat!
Keep your goal in your head & its only for 1 week.

posted Dec 7th, 2010 1:58 am


KimmyK

I tried this diet two weeks ago and lasted 4 days. Did not loose an inch in that 4 days and got very pissed and quit. I'm ussually not a quitter but when pips confess to loosing 5-7 lbs in two days, how would I not be devilshly pissed if my weight is not shifting doing the same thing.

I tried again this week, same..I"ll never been caught dead eating cabbage again. I HATE cabbage. Goodluck to those loosing weight...you're the lucky, blessed ones.

posted Dec 2nd, 2010 3:14 pm


Ani

Well today is my first day on this diet... I've had an apple and a orange so far and a un sweetened green tea,... kinda have a headache but about to eat my soup soon... Instead of chopping my veggies I actually grinded them into very thin thin thiiiin pieces so I can hold it down lol... Im not a big fan of cabbage... My friend who is doing the diet with me as of today told me she lost 10 lbs 2 years ago when she did this diet and hopefully it will work for me... for some reason I feel like I have hit a brick wall and cant lose any more weight... :( I will keep you guys posted !!!

posted Dec 1st, 2010 7:43 pm


Jenny

+

I'm on day 7 and in total I've list 10lbs. Gone down from 158 to 149. The diet was hard at times. I stuck to chili and garlic stir fried veg on the veg days and dud not cheat. In worried about tomorrow and going back to normal but aim to be careful. Would defo recommend!

posted Dec 1st, 2010 7:23 pm


Claire

Since I lasted posted on November 2nd I thought I'd post an update.

I ended up losing a total of 7lbs during my diet and I was quite pleased. I stayed off for two weeks and continued to maintain my new weight rather easily [I even lost a couple of lbs].

This week again, I have decided to follow the diet again, because I feel I need another extra push.

This time round it has been so much harder. I'm one of those that can't eat the same thing over and over and I'm sick of it. I'm going to continue because all in all I've lost 12lbs and I'm determined to lose those 17 extra lbs.

It IS easy to keep the weight off that you have lost but not having a sweet tooth works in your favour.

posted Nov 25th, 2010 7:56 pm


Desparate for weight loss

+

I did this diet 5 years back but two babies and a busy schdule later I am where I started from. I have started this again. Today is day 3. I already feel so light and CLEANSED...really its an awesome feeling. My poor body had to digest all the crap I used to put down my throat now I feel my body is relaxing...Its sad but my baby is a year old and I still have the baby belly ;( so I am so in for it and it has worked AWESOME for me in the past so I am hooked. Best of luck to everyone else.

posted Nov 18th, 2010 5:47 pm


yup

well im on day too ive been on a strict no sugar diet for two day before this and have ran about a mile a day and lift light weights as i am trying to lose fat not gain muscle 1 was at 265 now at 255 was at 25 percent body fat now at 22 im saying something is working

posted Nov 11th, 2010 7:03 pm



 

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BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Start the Diet Now Advertisement

Look up the definition of fad diet and you’ll see a picture illustrating the Cabbage Soup Diet. It should not be followed as a long-term eating plan, as it is dangerously low in calories and could do more harm than good. It is possible to lose 10 pounds in a week when you stick to this uber-low calorie plan.

The Cabbage Soup Diet does offer fast weight loss, but it is completely lacking in nutrition, flavor and variety. You'll consume mostly soups of cabbage, onion, celery, carrots, tomatoes and mushrooms. Nutritionists argue that the pounds shed are more likely attributed to the dramatic and dangerous loss in calories and not the proposed fat-burning power found in the cabbage. This diet deprives your body of essential nutrients and has been correlated to difficulty concentrating, feeling light-headed and weak.

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PROPRO
  • You will lose weight
CONCON
  • Unhealthy
  • Dangerously caloric intake
  • Primarily losing water weight
  • Will regain lost weight if don't stick to healthy eating and exercise following completion
  • Does not promote exercise; would be too weak to do so
DIET and NUTRITIONDIET and NUTRITION

The one-week Cabbage Soup Diet relies on this simple plan:

  • Day One All-you-can-eat soup and fruit (no bananas). Consume plenty of water, cranberry juice and unsweetened tea.

  • Day Two Consume all the soup and vegetables you like (no beans, peas or corn). Have a buttered baked potato with dinner. No fruit today.

  • Day Three Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you like, nothing else.

  • Day Four Eat your soup, no more than eight bananas and all the skim milk you want.

  • Day Five Have at least one serving of soup today. You can also have 10-20 ounces of skinless chicken or beef and no more than six tomatoes. Drink plenty of water.

  • Day Six Eat plenty of vegetables and your servings of beef. Today is the day you can go a bit overboard with the meat (2 steaks if you like) - just make sure to add salad and vegetables. Stay away from the carbs - no fries, potatoes, etc.

  • Day Seven Have at least one serving of soup. Only eat brown rice, vegetables and unsweetened fruit juice.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

No recommendations are made. Given the severely low calories you'll be consuming, you likely won't have the strength for physical activity.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

For rapid weight loss as a jump-start to a more healthy eating plan, the Cabbage Soup Diet could possibly be a solution. However, fasting or liquid diets like Cabbage Soup promising dramatic weight loss results in only a week are typically only helping you shed water weight. This weight will creep right back on once you stop the diet and continue with previous poor eating habits. Finishing the Cabbage Soup Diet and beginning a healthy eating and exercise regimen is the best advice anyone following this unhealthy approach can receive. Be sure to speak with your physician before beginning.

Common MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

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