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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 32 of 37, 727 total comments)Tracy
I'm going to start this diet tomorrow, I weigh 260 lbs, and I hope to lose a lot of weight quickly on this diet before I start my caloire counting diet. My goal is to weigh 230 by May. We will see! I'll keep you all posted
posted Mar 9th, 2008 9:00 pmWendy
Hi everyone! I'm starting this diet tomorrow and I can't wait! I'm 5'4 and i think i weigh about 140 wanting to lose about 10 pounds! I don't have a scale at home, but I'm buying one tonight. I'm not fat, but I do have a little bit of a belly gut goin' on =) I've done SO much research on this diet, and I've read every comment on here. I can't wait to see the results! I've never been on a diet before, but I'm so motivated to lose these pounds! It's about to be spring break and I work at a night club doing beer tub. What that pretty much means is I dance the entire time on a platform in a BIKINI serving beer. I need to look my best! I'm going tonight to get all the things I need for the diet. I hate tomatoes, but I'm going to try to eat them on one of the days. Good luck to all of you and I'll keep you all updated on how I do!
posted Mar 7th, 2008 9:05 amKate Z.
Can I cheat and eat dessert on the beef day instead of 10-20 oz of beef? Calories may equal out.
posted Mar 5th, 2008 2:13 pmAnonimous
Ladies, get real! Stop saying "I HATE THIS, I HATE THAT". BE POSITIVE, is the main thing to make it work and exercise. You will never make it in anything if you keep repeating the word "HATE"
posted Mar 3rd, 2008 11:31 amLaura
Starting tomorrow... I've just finished making the soup but just realized that i forgot to add a can of diced tomatoes... WHOOPS! that goes along well with the rest of my day though! I can't wait to eat mango and bananas!
posted Mar 2nd, 2008 7:57 pmyuppie
on day 5, have lost 8 lbs..just cant look at the soup anymore..is it ok to continue and not have soup?
posted Feb 29th, 2008 2:07 pmed
This review is the very definition of a poor review. First you are supposed to stay on this diet for just 7 days at a time. It makes no claim to be a long term diet. So quit criticising it on its long term effects. Second, it has plenty of variety. You get to consume a variety of soups, salads, fruits, chicken and meat and even a baked potato over 7 days. Thats more dietary variety than most meat and potatoes Americans get in their weekly diet. All you are doing is cutting out the harmful stuff, colas,sweets and potato chips. Third, its unhealthy OK but thats not the point. Being obese is unhealthy. Chemotherapy for cancer is unhealthy. The point is does it leave you healthier than you were before? For the Obese the answer is an emphatic YES!! And finally its a great diet because it will help you break bad eating habits and give you a fresh eating start. Most people can stick with a tough diet for one week. Even when they find it impossible to stick with a moderate diet for the months required to show results. So everybody who's trying this; Go for it!
posted Feb 27th, 2008 8:20 pmLee
I am just finishing day 2 of the diet, and I have not been hungry or light-headed. The soup is good, and I have been very strict about it all. The only problem is, I do not feel that I am losing any weight. I am 5'5" and on day 1 weighed 125 lbs. I need to lose some vanity (extra holiday, too much wine and good cheese!) weight -- am really wondering if this will work for me..... Others that boast of great weight loss, seem to be rather overweight. Is this just an exercise in futility? I really do not want to get on a scale until at least day 5, to really give the diet a chance.... skinny mamas out there - pls share your story w/ me!
posted Feb 27th, 2008 10:33 ambobbie
i am on day 2 of the diet and the baked potato has been calling all day but i think i messed up i got cranberry juice cocktail the light that is sweetneed with splenda and i just noticed that i ate green beans not many but a few as well as 3 snow peas am i screwed now
posted Feb 26th, 2008 4:01 pmJessica
Hello, I just found the website today...my sister is the one that actually told me about the diet. My sister and her boyfriend did this diet and lost 10lbs in the 7days. Now her wedding is April 4th and i need to shed some pounds...i was wondering as i was reading what is the actual plan..if someone could write it out..when i look it up websites have different recipies...thanks.. Jessica
posted Feb 26th, 2008 4:01 pmrocky
i started the plan yesterday it does make you pretty hungry the more i eat the soup, so today is my second day and im doing fine, i had a headache yesterday but im fine today i got alot of energy so im ready for day three, i will weigh myself then and see what happens, good luck all
Marcella
Can a person add green beans to the soup without disrupting the 'workings' of the soup???
lelaina
im fat!
Anonymous
IM FAT! i weigh 237 ponds shoudl i take tthis diet?! but im allergic to cabbage?!
LC
I'm starting the diet tomorrow and can't wait to see the result. I am 5'2'' and 160lbs, I would like to be about 140. Hopefully this jump starts me towards more weight loss. I'll post in a few days and let you know how it goes.
KDuB<3
I am on day 3 of the diet...it is sooo tempting to eat something else..my father tried to get me to eat something other than that last night because i am soo devoted and he thinks it is stupid.but i dont care.i wanna loose this weight.and alot of people thing it is stupid but i am 5'6" and i weight 150.that is not fun.and you see all of these other people sooo skinny and this diet has already started to work for me.and i am glad.i am not hungry all the time anymore.and i go to bathroom alot though.it just flushes your system but i also get nauseated and light headed but it is okay.It is just a week of it.and i am in soccer so it does kinda take your energy out.and it is hard to concintrate will at school and at practice.but it works.and i like it.
Fatima
This diet really works.I m a big fan of this diet as this made me lose 8kgs in a week n amzing part was without workout!.But now i m starting it again from tommorow.This time i m going to mix it with 3 hour meal plus 3 hrs workout as mary has really motivated me to lose more
chantal
i am on day two of the diet and do not feel or notice any difference. what can be the cause?
Anonymous
Be very careful with this negative calorie diet. Headaches and lightheadedness is a sign of low blood pressure as well as malnutrition and really, to talk to a doctor about potassium and other factors is a great idea. I liked the soup. I tried this, have the book, would definitely say that it was not worth the health risk. Thank you Jim, the concerned neighbor for checking in on me when I was too weak to come by (he said quit the diet).
Eryka
My husband and I are currently on day 3 of this diet. He read that you only loose water weight. Is that true? 10 lbs. a weeks seems like a bit much for loosing only water weight.