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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 30 of 37, 727 total comments)Amy
Answers to some questions, just from my own research, I'm not an expert. The only "juice" you can have is Cranberry. Otherwise, water, unsweetened tea and coffee (no diet soda). On the meat day, you CAN substitute Chicken or Fish - Green Beans? The recipe I have calls for green beans in the soup (but all other beans are a no-no). And yes, you will be gassy! My question for anyone that I have been unable to find an answer to is: Can you eat dried fruit?
posted Apr 24th, 2008 8:14 pmovalerie
I am going to start this diet tomorrow. I am 165, hoping to lose about 5lbs to jump start my diet...more is better. Will post results.
posted Apr 23rd, 2008 9:59 amReya
What kind of "fruit Juices" can you have?
posted Apr 21st, 2008 9:42 pmSteph
4/21/08 - Hi guys! I started the diet today. I want to lose 15-20 lbs. My upper tummy is kinda crampy this afternoon, so I went and bought some gas relief pills. I hope this helps. I have a huge sweet tooth, so I am a little concerned about day 2 without fruits. But, it is for only 7 days.
posted Apr 21st, 2008 9:42 pmDetermined
4/17/08 Hello everyone! This is day 2 for me and I have lost 4 lbs!!! I am very excited about getting this weight off. Yesterday morning I did 30 min. on the eliptical machine. Lastnight I did 42min. on the eliptical. The excercise probably helped in getting some pounds off. I'm looking forward to seeing what I weigh in the morning. A little tired but I have to keep going! *Always Stay positive* Regards, Determined
posted Apr 17th, 2008 1:55 pmtaylor
i am going to start this diet in a couple of days and would like to know if you can add more vegetables to the soup like zucchini, squash and asparagus or will it mess up the diet????
posted Apr 17th, 2008 7:08 amKristal
Hi all. I was just wondering if I could substitute raw salmon (sushi) for my meat day (day 5??) I'm SO looking forward to my banana and skim milk day tomorrow
posted Apr 17th, 2008 7:08 amlibby
Well today is my second day and i lost 3 lb, also I have a question is egg plant a vegetable? Also can you eat salad on veggie day?
posted Apr 15th, 2008 11:52 amAnonymous
If you read the book Good Calories, Bad Calories, it tells you that your body holds onto a lot more water to process carbohydrates and sugars. When you stop eating processed carbs and sugar - like on this diet - the first thing your body does is shed all that extra water. The same thing happens on Atkins, South Beach, etc which are very similar to this in the types of food allowed. So - that's why they tell you that it's mostly water weight and bloating that you lose in the first week on this diet.
posted Apr 12th, 2008 4:37 pmDee
I'm lost by Seth's comment, did someone here sy this as a bad diet or did I read it wrong? I have been off the diet for almost 3 weeks, I'm going on it again on Monday, hope I can drop as much as I did the first time around! Good luck everyone! :)
posted Apr 12th, 2008 11:05 amlibby
hi all , I am Libby I am 30 yrs 5'9 178lb I am starting diet tomorrow I would like to weight 145, but I am always gassy is that a problem?
posted Apr 12th, 2008 11:05 ambrandy
seth,i was wondering if you kept the 30lbs off so far and how long has it been?thanks!!
posted Apr 10th, 2008 5:52 pmReem
wow i read about this diet and u guys really motivated me . i'll start this diet as soon as i buy the ingredients.i'm about 165 lbs and 5'4 , i wanna lose 20 pounds , i hope it works
posted Apr 9th, 2008 9:34 pmneil
Hi, Just started day 7. Lost 10lbs so far. Walked everyday for 1 hour approx 4 miles. No diziness, no side effects.Even the dog looks thinner with extra execise.Going to continue for 1 more week then stick to low cal diet. Brilliant for training the mind and with instant results it keeps you focused and wanting to keep the pounds falling off.
posted Apr 8th, 2008 9:34 amArlene
Hi Toni, I dont think Vinegar would hurt the diet - vinegar & spices usually contain zero calories - what you don't want to do on this diet is eat more calories than the diet contains itself. is why they are precise on what foods to eat EACH day.
posted Apr 7th, 2008 8:09 pmseth
I did this diet for 2 weeks and lost 30 lbs. If this diet is so bad why do doctors put open heart patients on it a week before surgery. Guess this site doesn't consider stuff like that.
posted Apr 5th, 2008 9:36 pmToni
im on day 2 of the diet, i had some green bean, cucumber, onion and tomato salad + lettuce for luch but i feel abit guilty coz it had quite abit of vinegar and some spices. would that kill the diet?
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 9:49 amArlene
Today is day SEVEN - BROWN RICE and VEGETABLES Day AND is also The last day of the diet - This morning, April 1st - I weighed 106 - that brings my total weight loss to 6 pounds - but you are suppose to weigh out on the morning of the 8th day - I will post those results tomorrow - I hope to have lost at least 4 more by tomorrow...
posted Apr 1st, 2008 4:35 pmmelanie
Wow! I am so glad there are so many positive comments about this diet. I remember trying this back when I was in high school and I did lose weight. I don't understand why it is considered so "unhealthy" and therefore not recommended. I think eating fruits and vegetables (like this diet follows), is a better diet than fast food and processed food. It is not like we are going to eat the cabbage soup diet forever, it is just a kick start to eating healthier IMHA . Also there is this popular misconception that you can't get enough protein in your diet from fruits, grains and vegetables and that is just not true. So anyway here I go for a little touch up on my figure and I am excited about it. My cauldron is bubbling as I type this. Wish me luck!
posted Mar 31st, 2008 7:31 pmhari
Was browsing through the net and found this link, i am gonna try this out from tomorrow. WIll it help reduce my waist?
posted Mar 31st, 2008 8:40 am