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.
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User Feedback
(Page 16 of 37, 727 total comments)Celia
I am on day 4... mmm banana's.... so good. I have lost 4.5 lbs so far. I have been running 2 miles a day so far on the diet and have had more energy while dieting than I did before. I do have a slight headache today but its not unbarable. I started at 176.5 and am down to 172. Monday will be my last day. After that I plan to break for a couple of days and then start the grapefruit diet for the rest of the month. I have had alot of sucess with that diet, but its a little more gradual. Good Luck:)
posted Apr 30th, 2010 7:39 amLinda Renee
+I did this diet 11 yrs. ago. I was 212 lb. within 10 months I went down to 134 lb. I was not that same person at all. At that time my waist was the size of my right leg from when I was 212 lb. I was very active though. I gave myself 1 cheat day with moderation. The first week I lost 17 lbs. But I did suffer from head aches and drastic mood swings. With any diet I advise that a well balanced diet is the best way to loose weight. I kept my weight off for 4 yrs but as they years passed and had children all my weight came back. I�??m going to try the diet again on Sunday. I hope I have the same willpower now as I had back then.
posted Apr 29th, 2010 1:55 amjessica
+Im starting this cabbage soup diet tomorrow but does it really work? Can u eat any kind of nuts like almonds or anything else or just stick to da 7-day plan..can anyone help
posted Apr 24th, 2010 9:33 pmsharon
I started today, the only thing long time I had a written Cabbage Soup diet recipte and it included some fruits that should not be eaten
posted Apr 20th, 2010 9:16 amemma-ray
i started today !! i'm sooo excited !!!
posted Apr 17th, 2010 10:15 amJennifer
Morning of day 3 and I've lost 5 lbs!! I know it's hard guys...but you can do it. Just remember...summer is coming and this will all be worth it!
posted Apr 14th, 2010 2:29 pmsuppaszhny
WELLL I JUST GOT ALL MY INGREDIENTS FOR THE CABBAGE SOUP AND ALL OF MY FRUIT FOR THE FIRST DAY. I AM VERY EXCITED AND MOTIVATED. IM NOT BASING MY WEIGHT LOSE ON POUNDS MORE SO ON COMFORT. I CANT AFFORD TO BUY ALL NEW CLOTHES SO I HV TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT TO GET BACC IN THE ONES I HV. I WILL CONSIDER MY WEIGHT LOSE A SUCCESS WHEN I DONT HAVE MUFFIN TOP OVER MY JEANS AND HAVE TO UNBUTTON THEM TO EAT LOL WISH ME LUCK
posted Apr 12th, 2010 8:14 pmAngela
Okay day 4 is easiest so far. The banana's are really filling and I lost my craving for reeses (which i'd been craving since day one). I'm trying the custard recipe from below, I have my banana's freezing right now. :)
posted Apr 8th, 2010 2:35 pmAngela
I'm on the morning of day three and have already lost 4 lbs. I almost didn't make it through yesterday but after seeing how much weight I lost in 2 days was encouraging. Today should be easier as I can eat fruit and veggies. The soup came out really delicious too! So far no headaches, but I did get diarrea yesterday. The first two days are the hardest I think...
posted Apr 7th, 2010 9:32 amAveri
+The night before day 4 I freeze 8 cut up bananas. On day four i take the bananas and blend them with 1/4 cup of skim milk... it makes perfectly delicious banana custard/ice cream!!!! I love day 4!!!!!!
posted Apr 5th, 2010 3:55 pmJeannie
tyann
posted Mar 28th, 2010 6:30 pmLOL you want to know what else people did to lose 20-25 pounds in one week on this diet?
MY guess is they cut off a limb! lol
Jeannie
Mrs M
posted Mar 28th, 2010 6:27 pmLOL are you kidding? " not worth the trouble of cooking" you say? It's the easiet thing in the world to cook
Actually, it is healthy for the ONE WEEK it's said to follow
What is not healthy about cutitng out JUNK, surgars, diet cokes, too much fat etc etc and ADDING more fruits and veggies that most if not all of us need more of
More and more research keeps showing how less food is healthier and adds years to our lives too!
I have not experienced any adverse affects and I am on day 7 now.
I have actually been working out more intensely than before the diet.
Every day I have done weight/resistance with more resistance than before AND i added running OUTSIDE to that
No headaches, no lightheadedness at all....
I have felt TOO FULL at times from all the water and eating dinner when i was not even hungry
Enj28
i started a few days ago nd not seeing much but i enjoy the soup its filling
posted Mar 27th, 2010 8:15 pmOH CANADA
Day 2 Started at 170 Pounds
posted Mar 25th, 2010 12:08 pmLost a Whopping 5 pounds and this is my second day. I thought the scale was broke. how is that possible to lose so much so fast. Now at 165 Pounds. My Goal is 145 pounds. Ps I am starving:( See ya tomorrow when I just on the scale again.
OH CANADA
Is an orange a Fruit, Vegetable, or a Berry? And if you search the internet seems like no one really knows lol.... So can I eat it I am starving and only into the first day:(
posted Mar 24th, 2010 2:16 pmOH-CANADA
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone:)
posted Mar 24th, 2010 9:35 amDay 1----- 170 Pounds
My Goal is 145 Pounds
Stayed tuned...
Luc
+Well I've done it!! the seven day cabbadge soup really worked well for me. But keep in mind that I'm an avide runner and kept at a reduce pace my running activities. I stuck to diet like a text book and lost 11 pounds in seven days. I never felt light headed or any discomfort other than feeling hungry at night. I would not waste my time and write these comments if it would not have worked for me!!! don't take my word for it, give it a try.
posted Mar 23rd, 2010 6:55 amAmanda
I have been on the diet for 3 days now and I dont see alot of weight lost??? I mean I have done everything by the book so far and im drink lots and lots of water. Please someone tell me what else I can do to lose 10 pounds in the week.
posted Mar 22nd, 2010 2:09 pmthank you
Marina
+Im starting day 5, and i've lost a total of 5lbs-6lbs. Wooo I was ecstatic, never have I seen numbers on a scale drop so rapidly. yes, it may be water weight, but whatever, it's motivating AS HELL.
posted Mar 19th, 2010 3:49 pmcallie
+In all honesty, ive done this diet various times over the last 5 years.
posted Mar 18th, 2010 7:06 pmI've lost almost 200 pounds.