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Cabbage Soup Diet

Cabbage Soup Diet

The very definition of an ill-advised fad diet.

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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.

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.

How Does Cabbage Soup Diet Compare?
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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.

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(Page 33 of 37, 727 total comments)

Lorri

does it really give you bad gas??


Anonymous

Next time, try using packaged saurkraut instead of the whole cabbage, and you'll lose even MORE wieght!


Anonymous:

Its five days since I have started Cabbage soup diet, my weight remained same as day one. However, I look very lean and feel light. Could you please any one can tell me whats the problem is


Rachael

I'm on day 2 and don't feel dizzy or hungry at all...I relly hope I lose weight though! I'm on a weight loss challenge at work with 2 men and boy oh boy success will be sweet! if it works, I plan on doing it again in the last week of the challenge!


jb

i tried this diet a couple of years ago and i lost 18lbs in the first 5 days... then didnt notice any more for the next two. Biggest drw back i think is i felt is by then end of the diet i couldnt stand the soup and didnt eat it ... probably would have lost more, if i could have. Also i felt weak most of the time and got light headed a couple of times, but after the diet I felt fine.. i think it wasworth it and i am going to try it agian next week.


Skinny

I tried this diet last week for 5 days. I cheated just a little... stuck some peanut butter in my banana shake the 4th day. I also didn't eat enough cabbage soup so I only lost 2 pounds. I took two days off, and am back on it today for the week. Don't cheat on this diet!! However, the soup is pretty good blended. I put mine in the magic bullet, and heated it up pretty tasty! I'm just pleased coffee is not banned. I couldn't handle the no coffee restraints of the lemon juice cleanse. I've never been thin in my life. Im 149 right now, and want to see what I look like at 125 it will be a first for me. If I have a flat stomach it will be so awesome... never had that either. I plan to go to Weight Watchers to maintain the weight loss but want to lose it all first! I'm also drinking smooth move tea to get my system going I tend to retain water alot.


Lordy Bee

Well am from liverpool, and was on the atkins diet, so me scrammy was like fried bacon , sausages, eggs, and i would drink cranberry juice, it was all good until i inherited a pair of man boobs, and now i am on soup diet, strictly coffee and cup a soups, i used to weigh 9 stones, and now i am down to an 8, and will get to me 7, so get down to yer local asda, and stay on cup a soups it works, cuz its boss, and it has worked for me


Jennifer

I have seen that many of you did lose weight on this diet and there are a lot of comments saying it was water weight. I am curious though if you could see a difference in your figure. Did you clothes get looser?


Jacqui

Adding garlic/pepper seasoning and cilantro really helped the taste. I lost 7 pounds in 3 days- I know it's mostly H20 at this point but it's great to see the scale going down. You pee a lot!


Jesse

I started the diet yesterday and i've alrd lost 4 LBS. I think for u guys that dont like the taste of the soup can try to add an EGG in. I did, and I used water instead of v8 juice, and it tastes beautiful.


Anonymous

Can I drink diet coke? Can I switch the days around like having meat on the second day instead? eat fruit and veggies on the meat day ?


nadia

This is my 3rd day on the diet the silly thing is i didnt weigh my self b4 hand so am hoping i can notice a difference cos i am soooooo starving


Kay

I quit smoking 4 months ago and have gained 15 lbs. My husband did this diet a couple of times several years ago and both times lost at least 10 lbs. I have never had very good will power when it comes to excercise or diets, and I want to see results fast. I will post again in 7 days and give my results. Good luck to everyone out there, and remember, Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!


Hanni

I am on my day two today :)


retta

i hate skim milk can i have another idea also do we use grape tomatoes or regular tomatos


Ron

Jen, I understand your feelings about the soup. The first time I did the diet I stuck to the soup as it was cooked. The trick is to change it based on the days ingredients. Day 1 have it as is. Day 2 blend it then add some chopped spinach, basil mushrooms zucchini. simmer. Day 3 add salsa.(yes Salsa is nothing more than chopped vegetables.) Day 5. Puree the soup (maybe pulling more of the tomatoes into the soup) add some of the steak and tomatoes to it and simmer. Bottom line experiment don't eat the soup as it comes out of the pot day one. Even eating something you like everyday would get old. So use your imagination and change it up as much as you can. It will really help you stick to it.


Hanni

I am on my day two today :)


Anonymous

This should only be used as a detox diet...to cleanse then go to sensible eating and exercise after the 7 days. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. Use to jump start your diet..thats it.


Jen

I am on my last day of the cabbage soup diet, and yes it works, but you definately get sick of the soup very fast, for me just thinking of having to eat it turns my stomach, but I lost 5 lbs in just 4 days, haven't checked since, but headaches and light headiness is definately a side effect, I was also a bit irritable, so I don't highly reccomend this diet, just try to lessen your portions add lots of vegs and fruit and do a bit of exercise. Good Luck!!


Anonymous

I'm on day 1 and notice that cranberry juice is allowed. Does this mean that grape juice and apple juice is also ok? If so, can I have all I want? Also, should I only have the grape juice on fruit day?



 

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BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Start the Diet Now Advertisement

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.

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PROPRO
  • You will lose weight
CONCON
  • 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 NUTRITIONDIET 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.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

No recommendations are made. Given the severely low calories you'll be consuming, you likely won't have the strength for physical activity.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

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 MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

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