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 20 of 37, 727 total comments)The TigerGal19
+So, I am 5'9 and i WAS 268lbs! Over the time span of about a good 9 months I was able to drop down to 220....now I think im at my peek for losing weight, so I have been on this cabbage soup diet for about 4 days now...I am now 216 and still counting :p goal is to get to 200 before Julyyyy...
posted Jun 4th, 2009 3:46 pmWISH ME LUCK!! Its a hard diet...but it really is worth it, just make sure when your off of it, you incorporate enough exercise and a healthy eating habit and you will be just fine :p
good luck to you all..
Cookie
Some of you that think they are not losing weight, are you exercising, too? If so, muscle weighs more than fat, so you are more than likely gaining muscle. Check with a tape measure not a weight scale, it keeps you from being disappointed.
posted Jun 4th, 2009 1:59 pmIsabella
+Female, 25 years old, 5'7 and startung weight 152lbs.
posted Jun 1st, 2009 2:04 pmOn day 4 and I have lost 4 pounds already!
I find this diet easy to stick to and like the fat that I can eat until i'm full!
Any suggestions on alternatives for breafast tomorrow (day5 ) as I hate the idea of eating tomatoes and meat...any suggestions from someone who has succesfully completed the diet would be great!
Good Luck everyone!
Hanna10
hello =)
posted May 31st, 2009 2:41 amI've gained 15-18pounds since october2008 & im going on a trip in the end of june(4 weeks)..none of my clothes from lastsummer fits me..im going to start to workout at least 4-5days a week and go on this diet in 2days(which is monday)...
ALSO, can i drink a shake for breakfast? or do i have to strickly follow the plan?????????
i hope this works!
good luck ya'll!
cath31
Well i was gonna start this diet yesterday but oh well the soup is simmering away on the hob this minute. I am 145.5lbs and am wanting to lose about 9 pounds. But just exercise isn't helping, I'll report in a few days after my next weigh in. Hope i lose something
posted May 30th, 2009 5:17 pmcath31
Hi all. Im gonna start this diet tomorrow. Im not over weight all that much but have certainly pilled on a few pounds when i realised that i actually gain boobs with weight but i sort of got a little carried away. Im not sure what i weigh as my scales were borrowed and not brought back. Will find out at chemist in a while when i go. I am wanting to lose about 10-12lbs max. Will report on how i go with this. Did anyone get the runs with this diet???? I am 5'8 and maybe about 150lbs so i am guessing. I also need a good detox so im hoping all comes good. Good luck all with you diets.
posted May 29th, 2009 9:03 amsillyazz
i started this diet on monday 5-25-09.. tomorrow is my third day, im not to worrie bout it cause i can deal with the soup, veggies and fruits.. but is there a replacement for silkmilk?> also are we allow to use any dressing for our salads?
posted May 27th, 2009 5:49 amJennifer
Day 2
posted May 20th, 2009 5:04 pmI did add some protein to the diet everyday, otherwise this really is not a healthy diet to be on for the full seven days, and they weight you lose (like sweet tooth pointed out) will be muscle and water weight, not fat.
I had a small table spoon of peanut butter with my apples and a low cal protein shake w/ water. I also boiled and shredded small amounts of chicken to put in my soup. These are all small amounts but they keep your body from being queued into thinking it is starving and eating away muscle. Also, it allows me to have enough energy to do moderate exercise.
Even with the added protein I am pretty tired. Drink more water today. Am down 3 pounds but i'm positive its all water weight, as I spent all night running to the bathroom to piddle.
Im going to Hawaii in 3 weeks, hopefully I can have my summer bikini body back by then.
Sweet tooth
I got to day six and cracked! I had takeaway for dinner with my partner... naughty naughty, was fried rice and prawn stirfry, so atleast it wasn't McDonalds or something! I did only loose around 2pound/1kg on the diet. So I had one bad day on day 6 and have started back at day one......
posted May 18th, 2009 7:50 pmrobbie1981
Im going to start this diet tomorrow, Iv got the soup and made and frozen ready. Hope it works fo rme like it ha you guys. I'm 5'9 and 175lb so not to much over weight but hoping to get down about 7lb to get into my average weight.
posted May 18th, 2009 4:06 pmRob
Im going to start this diet tomorrow, Iv got the soup and made and frozen ready. Hope it works fo rme like it ha you guys. I'm 5'9 and 175lb so not to much over weight but hoping to get down about 7lb to get into my average weight.
posted May 18th, 2009 4:01 pmallana
hi allana here thats me finished the soup diet im goin to do slimming world for 2 weeks then soup diet again, i lost 12 pounds on this diet was chuffed!!
posted May 18th, 2009 3:36 pma did go on the treadmill twice but i feel healthier glad i done it , it is a hard diet to do but if u do it u should be proud!!
angie
+I finished the diet yesterday on Sunday, and I lost a total of 7 pounds. It's not easy, but it works if you stick to it. I wanted to do it to get back on track with healthy eating, so now I'm going to start back walking as well as eating right to lose more weight. I will go back on it in 2 weeks. The diet actually decreased my appetite. On the day that I could have all the beef I wanted I ended up eating a smaller amount than I thought. The last day was the one I didn't like because I don't care for rice too much, but overall it was a good short term diet.
posted May 18th, 2009 8:25 amTaurus
I started the die yesterday and got on the scale today noticed...I was down 3 pounds...I been keeping busy and not really thinking about eating...I havent noticed in drastic side effects (i.e. dizzineess, faint., weaknees) ive had a burst of energy
posted May 16th, 2009 8:54 pmdeepz
I start this diet today.
posted May 16th, 2009 4:01 pmi will keep you posted on my weight loss.
i am 5'2 163 pounds
Sweet tooth
Hi Allana, I think you can have up to 2 steaks on day 6.
posted May 15th, 2009 11:15 pmI'm on day 5 today too... however I am still at my start weight.... I feel like I have punished myself for nothing!
I ate low fat minced beef today and already my stomach feels heavy from the meat... thin I'll substitute it for fish or chicken tomorrow. Looking at what I will be eating in the next two days I feel as though I wont loose any weight at all. DO I just give up? Did anyone else have this problem where they did not loose any weight until the last two days?????
allana
hi its my 5th day cant wait to have my steaks for lunch and dinner been waiting for this lol ,feel ok today , does anyone know how much beef you are allowed on th 6th day? thanks
posted May 15th, 2009 5:06 amSweet tooth
Day 4. weight loss 1kg.
posted May 15th, 2009 4:07 amThis weight loss has taken me back to my start weight after a gain on day one.
My stomach felt flatter this morning and I felt the best i have since I started the diet, not hungry at all. Only had one bananna smoothie for breakfast and soup for the rest of the day. I am starting to wonder if this diet is actually going to work.
Sweet tooth
Day 3: Weight lost- None. but none gained either.
posted May 14th, 2009 3:57 amWoke up feeling like I have a cold. But other than that feeling pretty good. Not hungry Iike I have been in the last few days. Had fruit salad for breakfast consisting of mandarine, kiwi fruit, green apple and strawberries. Lunch consisted of a salad made from baby spinach, capsicum, carrot, celery, onion and tomato. Have made a fresh batch of soup for dinner. This time used chicken consume, celery, cabbage, onion and carrot. Will blend some up with some cauliflower again. Don't think I could have a tomato based soup again today.
Still thought I would have lost some weight by now as most people have claimed to have lost some.
Still no yukky side effects like gas ect.. wondering if this diet is actually going to work,.. I hope so because it has been damn hard keeping off the sugar and carbs!
shy
started the diet again. this time i will try to drink water, which i did not do the last time. i hate water( i will drink tea, since i kill that like water). i made the soup very spicy this time around, im a louisiana girl so its no biggie for me. im back at 157lbs, 5'5. i went to the gym today and was fine. I'll keep you guys posted....hopefully i dont faint this time. i gotta just keep saying, "water, water, water". good luck allana.
posted May 13th, 2009 7:26 pm