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Diets
Calorie Counting
How Does
Cabbage Soup Diet Compare?
BACKGROUND
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PRO
CON
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Cabbage Soup Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
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.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2024?
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.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Easy to follow
- Cheap Price
- Fast Results
- High Protein Diet
- 91/100
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- Dukan Diet
- 89/100
-
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- Paleo Diet
- 87/100
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- Plexus Slim
- 77/100
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- Cabbage Soup Diet
- 29 /100
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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.
BACKGROUND
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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.
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?
PRO
- You will lose weight
CON
- 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 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.
EXERCISE
No recommendations are made. Given the severely low calories you'll be consuming, you likely won't have the strength for physical activity.
CONCLUSION
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 Misspellings
cabbge soup diet, cabbage soup deit, cabage soup diet, cabbagge soup, cabbagesoupdiet.com, cabbage diet, cabagge soup diet, soup diet
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Cabbage Soup Diet?
User Feedback
(Page 13 of 37, 727 total comments)Emma
Hi guys, this is a great site I am on day 4 of the diet and read all the comments on here to keep me motivated. I haven't cheated at all and am looking forward to beef and tomato day tomorrow!!
posted Nov 5th, 2010 6:42 pmCan anyone tell me if you have noticed the weight loss after one week in your clothes or the way you look?
xx
Claire
+Started my diet five days ago, I have lost 5 lbs so far. I'm 5ft 1 and weighed 155lbs at the start. I have cheated a little eating a veggie burger and had a bite of a sausage sandwich.
posted Nov 2nd, 2010 11:57 pmThe first batch I made was as online recipes stated and was awful so I binned it and instead I used half a cabbage head, a bit of broccoli and to make it sweeter, 3 large parsnips and one butternut squash.
I also added bay leaves, tarragon, salt, pepper and mixed herbs and I strongly recommend adding parsnips and squash to make it a lot more palatable.
I also made shakes out of the banana and skimmed milk and I was sooo full. Definately not a starvation diet, although I felt weak on my first day, I now have so much energy!
To answer people's questions:
Eat the veg and soup water
Make a new batch every 3 days otherwise it ferments
You can subsititute the bananas with pears and kiwi fruit
You can substitute the beef for skinless chicken breasts
The more you eat of the soup the more you lose
You will be gassy as H*** for the first three days but this will pass. The gas is the bad stuff coming out.
Ke
-I am now on my third day of the diet, and following each step, and not cheating. however, I haven't lost any weight at all. Are we really suppose to eat the soup as much as we want???? HELP!!!
posted Nov 2nd, 2010 9:03 pmJenn
Hi. I started the diet today and it's been a little hard because I got myself used to be ating like there's no tomorrow. I was 112 6 months ago but have been staing home since then and eating like there's no tomorrow so I'm up to 130 now. I went to the gym and my energy was same as always, can't wait 'til tomorrow to weight myself !
posted Oct 27th, 2010 10:51 pmLillian
+Shaddyanne - No, you won't. If you're drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and are exercising properly, you will NOT be losing water weight - it will be real weight loss. I did this diet over a year ago and lost 11 pounds - and I've not gained it back. Perhaps you should actually try the diet and do it correctly before you go making statements that everyone who tries it will gain the weight back.
posted Oct 16th, 2010 10:53 pmusuallysnarkyboutdiets
+Actually I usually dont believe these diets work.. and still was skeptical about this one... just another fad diet... to my surprise this morning I woke up on day 4 (three full days on the diet) and I dropped 4 lbs I'm at 130... i have been stuck at 134 for two years no matter what I've done, I couldn't lose a pound. Am hoping to be at 123-125 when I am finished! Will let you know!
posted Oct 15th, 2010 10:19 amShaddyanne
You will gain everything back once you stop the diet.
posted Oct 4th, 2010 6:33 pmLori Siegfried
-I am on day 4 and keep a terrible headache. I have followed this diet to a T and have only lost 1 pound. Starting to wonder if all this sacrifice is worth it now. Hope every one else gets out of it what they were after. I am looking forward to eating steak tomorrow. Good Luck
posted Oct 2nd, 2010 11:16 amSamantha
I am on day 1 of the diet which im thinking wont be too hard for me to follow since im a vegetarian but being a veg doesnt mean im skinny. I am 5'7 and 159 lbs hoping to get to 135 but not expecting those results to come in the week of this diet. Im using this as a healthy kick start to eating with caution again. I am getting married in July of 2011 and I gained some "happy weight" as we go out to eat alot and so i am hoping this will work! had sliced apples for breakfast, i have water, a tupperware of soup for lunch, ill also eat it for dinner and i have grapes for snack! wish me luck and goodluck to all!
posted Sep 21st, 2010 8:11 amDebbie
Today is my second day I have a headache all day and light head as well but is worth I dropped 1 pound so far ,, lot of people said the cabbage soup is disgusting but I used different spices and is actually delicious eg, dried oregano, and chili pepper also I used cilantro and let it cook overnight in the crock pot I also blended my soup cuz i hate my veggies lol but turned out pretty good... I so enjoyed my potato today was like a juice steak.
posted Sep 16th, 2010 12:43 amI am expecting drop at least 7 lb ,I'll kee it post.
Julie
Im on day 4 and only down 3lbs. I started at 173 and now at 170.. Slight headache but overall i feel lighter. I hope by day 7 i drop more since i am 40lbs over weight.
posted Sep 15th, 2010 11:39 amCncpt
+I started at 169.8 and today, the morning of day 7, I weighed 162.8. I added black beans and canned corn to the recipe and used the grocery store version of spicy V8, I didn't use onion soup mix, too many chemicals. I made the soup in the crock pot, let it cook overnight.
posted Sep 14th, 2010 2:41 pmI cheated a couple of times, I ate an egg roll my husband saved for me on baked patoto day, however I didn't eat the potato. One morning I ate a small amount of eggs my husband made, I didn't tell him about the diet. Two days ago I drank a coke and a beer, I was with someone I also didn't want to tell about the diet and today I ate a small amount of cashews, I was lightheaded. I've also eaten a lot more fruit than vegetables. On banana and milk day I made a smoothie with 1 banana, 1 peach, a handful of blueberries, ice and skimmed milk, it was great!
I have forgotten to eat soup a couple of the days, I have 3 or 4 bowls left, I am going to try to get below 160 before I go on a healtier eating plan.
I didn't tell family or friends, I didn't want to hear anyone's opinions, I wanted to kickstart my weight loss.
RoyalPurple
Started my first day today. I have absolutely noooo idea if this is going to work out or not, but hopefully it does. Just had my first bowl of soup; added ground paprika and it's actually pretty good. There should be some kind of support forum for this diet or something. The seven days would be so much easier if there was a real platform for discussion somewhere.
posted Sep 13th, 2010 1:08 ammdeds
I am on day 2 of the diet. I have stuck to it exactly. On tuesday I weighed 136 and tonight I weigh 139. WHy is everyone else losing weight in the first few days and I am heavier??? I have not eaten anything not on the diet. I don't get it!?!?
posted Sep 10th, 2010 12:48 amshenell
Finished day 7! It was hard to get through the day but I made it. Lost one more pound. So 6 pounds total.
posted Aug 30th, 2010 10:29 amshenell
+Day 7!! 11:20 am. Started Monday at 136 and this morning I'm at 131. I'd like to be between 125 and 130 so I am pretty close. I followed this diet to the letter; didn't cheat once. It's a bit hard but I would do it again. Mayby as a once a year cleansing. Good luck to all; you can do it!
posted Aug 29th, 2010 12:28 pmN Texas
On Day 2 and feeling a bit drained but I worked out yesterday & today already at Curves. I'm down 3 pounds (of H2O for sure) this AM from yesterday. Planning to jump to a 1300 cal diet as soon as this first week is over.
posted Aug 27th, 2010 2:32 pmmarisela
im on day 3 of my cabbage diet. i dont know how much weight i have lost. i dont want to weigh myself yet. but i feel a lil lighter. i hope this really works. i get really bad head aches and i got to the rest room like ten times a day. so i htink it will work.
posted Aug 25th, 2010 1:25 pmRebecca Parks Fernandez
**wanting to cleanse / lose weight fast**
posted Aug 24th, 2010 3:32 pmI'm on day one- just finished my first bowl of soup. My husband and I had a lot of fun chopping all the veggies in the kitchen, and being non-meat eaters as it is, this doesn't look so much different than what we usually stick with. Wondering how I'm going to feel about it in a few days...
OA
Morning of Day 5 , went from 138 to 134.5. No energy to work out, brain is not working because of no carbs. So 3 more days to go, would like to reach 130 but do not know if thats possible. Missing balanced food!
posted Aug 17th, 2010 8:34 am