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Home 
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 26 of 37, 727 total comments)Becky
Today is my first day.. just wanted to know if your meant to eat as much soup as u can to lose more weight??? or does it not matter if you eat tons of fruit n only a small amount of soup???
posted Sep 5th, 2008 8:26 pmadisa
i just start my diet today.Feel good ,not hungry at all.I am 180 after pregnency ,need to loose 40 pounds
posted Aug 26th, 2008 9:26 pmlee
you will be on the toilet alot on this diet. I feel like my insides fall out whenever I do this diet. It's good though. I call it a cleanser diet. Something to do temoprarily to kick start you or clean you out. It's common to feel dizzy and headaches , moodiness, and so on it's not healthy to do for long, you nee regular fat in your diet every day and this does not give that to you.
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 amChuck
Wife and I have been on this diet for 6 days...I have lost 9.5 lbs but she has only managed 1.5 lbs....so the results vary considerably from person to person. VERY sick of cabbage ....glad this diet is about to end...makes weight watchers diet look real good.
posted Aug 24th, 2008 11:26 amDee
No you can't use any soup, the cabbage helps flush you out, I would stick to the diet if you want to see results. Good luck! :)
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmJessie
i'm starting the diet today but i dont have cabagge soup, can i eat any other kinds of soups???
posted Aug 14th, 2008 10:04 amJoanna
I'm on end of day 2 now and lost 2 pounds already!! This diet is tremendously hard, but the results are already showing! If you have strong will power you will get to day7. I'll let you know if I made it:)
posted Aug 12th, 2008 5:23 pmNiamh
I'm on end of day 5 now. Felt a little weak today, think my sugar levels are down. Had a fillet steak today for the beef, and grilled the tomatoes with some parsley and salt and pepper to season, was delicious. Can't wait for day 6 tomorrow more beef, and day 7 brown rice. I'll weigh myself on morning after day 7 and post the results. Good luck to everyone who's doing it. I think it's a great diet, need willpower a bit but not too hard.
posted Aug 10th, 2008 8:07 pmRose W.
I am going to do this soup diet for the second time. The first time I got so sick of the smell of the soup, zI couldnt force myslef to eat it. The soup was great but that smell is so strong, and I wimped out. My mother has done this many times and loves it.. although multivitamins help and drink lots of water.. I will post again after the diet is done.
posted Aug 6th, 2008 10:29 pmJess
Long time since my last post. I definately lost weight! By the end of the week I was down 5 pounds! Not a lot but gave me the push to continue in a healthy plan. Now after a hot month sipping margaritas I gained it back! So again, I am going on this diet! I recomended!
posted Aug 6th, 2008 9:54 amkelli
Im on day 3 now and im really tired of the soup. I would love some sort of protein but im going to stick with it and see if i get any results. So far i have got a lot of gas and bloating.
posted Jul 25th, 2008 10:49 amKelli
Im on day 2 and can't wait to eat my baked potato! I feel fine and i've stuck to the diet completely. I'll let you know!
posted Jul 24th, 2008 10:13 amBella
Hey everyone I have done this diet about 3 times! and it really does work I am on day 7 right now and have lost 10 pounds I went from 154 to 144 and I am going to do it for another week i hope to loose another 10 =)
posted Jul 22nd, 2008 9:46 pmEra
I am on the 4 day now and the hardest part has gone. In the second day after eating tha cabbage soup I felt very bad. I had nausea, but right now I feel very good. I have lost 5 lbs Before I started the diet I was 51.40 kg now I weight 49 kg.I am 1.62 cm high Yesterday I went swimming, and after I finish the diet I will controle my eating habits, I will eat more fruits drink more water, and eat less food with calories. I will also start running in the morning so I ill keep my body on good shape. :) :)
posted Jul 14th, 2008 9:49 amTracy1
Thank you all so much for being here! I am so happy to run across this site because I definitely need dieting support. My average weight for my adult life was 150-166 just doing as I pleased. But since 2005 I gained at least ten pounds every year. I am a bit of a dieting incompetent, though Jenny Craig has helped but not near fast enough for me. Before I started this diet I had an exercise routine 3x week, 1 hr treadmill and weights established. I also took vitamins and detox pills and regimens. Frustrated at the high level of my weight I started this. I have had excellent weight loss. I am on my first meat day and it is hard for me to imagine I will lose any weight eating meat the next few days, but since I have already lost eight pounds I am sticking with it. I have a headache right now, so I am going to follow your advice to take an aspirin. I am really curious and thinking what I should do when this week is over. I noticed some of you stayed on the diet longer than a week. I was going to see if I could maintain the weight loss on Jenny Craig the following week. I am so desirous to lose weight and get far far far away from any dreaded weight number as well as look good for my trip in 4 weeks. I gained 20 since February! That is just so shocking to me I don't get it! I wonder if this diet will continue to work if I stick to it several weeks? I think I am healthy and could handle it. Lord knows I have plenty of fat to burn to keep me fueled! Oh! And another note.. those bananas on banana day were the best bananas I ever had and the shake idea is so awesome! I definitely have a new appreciation for the food I ate at all those restaraunts that I did not have before!
posted Jul 11th, 2008 3:26 pmsheila
On day 2 feel bloated and heavy! I hated the tomatoes in the soup so this morning I made it without. Is this ok? Also I am having a small amount of skimmed milk in my tea about 3 x a day. Will this lessen the weight loss. I am 140 and want to be 130. Thank you you are all great motovators.
posted Jul 11th, 2008 3:26 pmTangie023
Alright people I am a BIG ONE Im 6"2 @248.6 and today is day one of the diet, I did have a granola bar ( Im sorry I needed some substance in my life) but other than that I have done good with the soup and water I had some strawberries, snap peas,watermelon,carrots &an apple as a snack that seems like alot but OMG I think that I may faint tomorrow with no fruit * wish me luck all. Keep pushing on
posted Jul 8th, 2008 12:35 pmRose
I am on day 2 and I hate it. The soup is awful I can barely stand to eat one bowl a day. I have tons of gas and yes, I am taking gas x but I have IBS so, this is not a good diet for me it has too much fiber. BUMMER!
posted Jul 7th, 2008 8:27 amChenChen
This diet gave me cancer. Would not buy again. F-
posted Jul 7th, 2008 8:27 amStellA
pls anyone tell me how i can replace the banana
posted Jul 1st, 2008 10:49 pm