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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 7 of 37, 727 total comments)karan
well i am very excited .was going through the reviews and wishing that it works for me too.just started today ate two bowls of soup and fruits including oranges,apple ,pomegranate ,water 130lbs wana go down to 1241bs wish me good look.tomarrow is going to b a hard day but looking farward to potatoe with butter lets c
posted Jan 14th, 2012 2:18 pmKat
I am now on day 5! And I am very happy to almost be done! I feel great and can see a big difference in my appearance, especially in my tummy and hips. I didn't weight myself today because I had a big bowl of soup first thing and didn't want to weight myself after that cause it may have discouraged me, so i will weight in tomorrow morning.
posted Jan 13th, 2012 2:31 pmI am also very use to the soup now, and rather like it. I eat about 4 bowls a day, and I have no problem with it. I also add only pepper - nothing else, not even the seasoning cubes or spice only soup mix.
And last night when I was craving something sweet I blended together some bananas and skim milk - it was like a milkshake! Very good!
Anyways I have only a few more days left! Keep it up everyone!
kalpana
i am on 3rd day of CSD today and done it earlier also.. i have lost 2 kg in just 5 days as i couldn't complete the diet for 7 days but 2 kgs loss is very satisfing in just 5 days.. i had tried almost everything to loss wait but all the way out are almost disappointing. it is the wayout which gives result instantly and you feel encoured to loss more weight.
posted Jan 13th, 2012 9:33 amI really like it a lot and recommand to everyone who wants to shen pound fast..
on the end of 1st day of CSD, i was 79 kg and wish that i could turn to 75 kg by the end of 7th day..
Oh god please bless me...
Kat
I have started day 3 and now it just feels like easy sailing from now on. Yesterday was a little harder than day 1 because I don't like veggies as much but I had 4 bowls of soup and some carrots, cellery, and cuccumber and I felt very full.
posted Jan 11th, 2012 2:37 pmThe best part of yesterday was the baked potato with butter (I used margarine on mine). I normally don't even like baked potatoes but I ate the whole thing in about a minute and I was stuffed!
Morning of day 1 : 168 lbs
Morning of day 2 : 163 lbs
Morning of day 3 : 160 lbs
Total loss so far is 8 lbs! AND my pants are baggy! Looks like my goal of 150lbs might not be so far out of reach after all!
Keep it up everyone! You can do it!
Robert
+Just wanted everyone to know this diet works just finished day 7. I started at 202 now at 188 what a difference a week makes. I am starting the gym today and look forward to a lifestyle change.
posted Jan 11th, 2012 1:04 pmKathryn Williams
+So I'm on day 2 of the CSD and I actually didn't mind having the soup for breakfast today - much easier to eat.
posted Jan 10th, 2012 6:14 pmYesterday morning before the diet I stepped on the scale and was 168 lbs, this morning I am 163 lbs - no lie.
Seeing the weight drop off like that is a big boost to get me to stay on the diet. I would LOVE to get down to 150 lbs but we will see.
Today will be tough cause I don't like veggies as much as fruit, but I'm looking forward to the baked potato.
Keep it up everyone! Good luck!
Mimilv
Day 5 has ened and my jeans are big! Wohoooo!!! Today was easy because I did enjoy my chicken and tomatoes (which I did put very little salt and olive oil on). I would say the first two days of the diet are hard but after that you get used to it:) I can't wait to weigh myself on day 7, 2 more days to go
posted Jan 10th, 2012 9:43 amJessica
Starting the csd tomorrow! I'm really excited, i just finished making the soup... it's in the crockpot right now. My goal is to lose about 10 lbs this week and then continue eating VERY healthy afterwards and working out. Hopefully this turns out to be a good jumpstart to my weightloss :) wish me luckk
posted Jan 10th, 2012 4:07 amAmber
+today, its my first day :) i made my soup last night and it dosnt taste too good iv just been wating the cabbage out of it :) but its my first day and its very hard for me to stick to diets but its only for 7 days so im motivated :) ill keep it posted :)
posted Jan 10th, 2012 1:02 amNicole
+I'm on day two...it's probaly the worst day since I don't like vegetables too much and I'm surprised I'm not too hungry..I am eating the soup at work, came out really delicious I also did weigh myself in the morning and I lost 2 pounds already:) I'm looking forward to my baked potato later. Can't wait to weigh myself on day 7!
posted Jan 9th, 2012 9:12 pmstellzbellz
+Okay...::drumroll:: My final weight loss was 7 pounds! And it feels like real weight loss...not just water weight. I did cheat on day 7. I ended my night with a cheesburger and sweetpotato fries and a night of drinking mostly beer. I guess it was just a lack of patience and I had some unplanned celebrating come up that night but still, all in all...it worked out for me because in reality i lost 7 pounds in about 6 days and i now drink alot more water than i used to before the csd and eat less to keep me full. If you have the willpower and dont have a physically demanding job (you do feel lightheaded and sluggish alot of the time) this could work out for you. it's a great kickstart to a low calorie diet or if you just want to detox/cleanse. I think I'll do it again in a few months but won't cheat as i really barely ate the cabbage soup. i would definitely reccoment this for quick, safe weightloss once a year or once a season.
posted Jan 9th, 2012 4:38 pmKat
Today is day 1 and it's almost lunch time. So far the hardest part is eating soup for breakfast, other than that I feel a bit tired compared to usual and lacking some energy, but I just had an apple so that helped.
posted Jan 9th, 2012 4:36 pmI made the soup last night and I actually found that it smelt good. It's a hardy soup that is full of veggies and it was also fun to make. My boyfriend who is not trying the diet even said he will probably add some chicken to it or pasta and have some as well.
I'm just trying to keep in mind that it is only 7 days, and I do enjoy fruit so I think today will be fine, however I don't like veggies so tomorrow might be rough.
I will keep you all posted - stay strong everyone you can make it through 7 days!
Kat
Today is day 1 and it's almost lunch time. So far the hardest part is eating soup for breakfast, other than that I feel a bit tired compared to usual and lacking some energy, but I just had an apple so that helped.
posted Jan 9th, 2012 4:28 pmI made the soup last night and I actually found that it smelt good. It's a hardy soup that is full of veggies and it was also fun to make. My boyfriend who is not trying the diet even said he will probably add some chicken to it or pasta and have some as well.
I'm just trying to keep in mind that it is only 7 days, and I do enjoy fruit so I think today will be fine, however I don't like veggies so tomorrow might be rough.
I will keep you all posted - stay strong everyone you can make it through 7 days!
Sheryl
Okay it's day 3 and it's almost 9am. I'm excited for today because I can eat fruits again!
posted Jan 7th, 2012 4:57 pmYesterday I was out running errands so I ordered a small of carrot juice from jamba juice but they gave me a medium size. I was satisfied until 3pm had my soup and sautéed veges.
For dinner I had baked potato with little butter at 6pm. Had a terrible migraine at 8pm so went to sleep.
Staring weight: 129.4
Day 3: 126.4
Goal weight: 120
3 pounds down but I won't believe it until I pass the 125 mark
Gillian
-Oh Lord where to start with the feedback. I am currently on Day 5 and it has been the most Hellish 5 days of my adult life. However, I see getting to Day 7 as a challenge so will complete it!
posted Jan 7th, 2012 1:41 amI have followed the recommendations of the plan to the letter in order to 'detox' after the festive period, and to reset my body following too many refined carbohydrates and alcohol in the last 2 weeks. Generally, my diet consists of clean unprocessed foods, lean protein, little fat (particularly of the saturated variety) and good complex carbs alongside plenty of water. I therefore believed this plan to be a breeze and an ideal way of getting back into my normal daily diet.
On a positive note, the soup is pleasant enough and reasonably filling and is easily washed down 3 x a day with a few glasses of water. My kidneys are working well as I spend most of my day urinating - that could also have something to do with the fact I am drinking approx 4 litres of water a day.
On a somewhat more negative note, I am sufferng from a constant and quite severe headache, dizziness, mental 'fog', constant coldness and numbness in my hands and feet, bouts of heart palpitations, bad breath, nausea and abdominal pain (no bloating/gas/constipation though!). I have zero energy and have not been capable of following my usual gym and running routine. In all honesty I can barely walk the length of myself just now. I have a terrible thirst constantly, am not sleeping because I get up to (a) drink more water or (b) urinate. Worse still, I have not lost a single pound in mass OR feel in any way cleansed and de-toxed.
My body is clearly in ketosis; and in the absence of a decent quantity of complex carbs has utilised available glucose and glycogen stores and is now using fat as a respiratory substrate. Effectively it means I am metabolising my own body fat. Great! It would explain why I am so lethagic, sluggish and irritable.
These symptoms should pass in a couple of days when my diet returns to something closer to nomal. In researching ketogenic 'diets' it seems they do actually work for a lot of people but having experienced the above symptoms for the last 5 days, it's not something that I would put my body through for the sake of a detox/cleanse.
So in short, the cabbage soup 7 day detox/cleanse is really only for those who can stomach it and perhaps those who have diets largely based on processed/ convenience foods.
Not recommeded, at all.
stellzbellz
okay...so im on day 6 and can't believe i've made it this far. to be fair, i haven't followed the diet to a T and have snuck a few crackers and spoonfuls of peanut butter in here and there. The lack of carbs and protein takes a toll right around day 3. I've lost 6 pounds so far and hope by Sunday to lose a total of 8 but really can't complain so far. My weight has not budged in 3 days but I feel alot thinner and more energetic than before I started the CSD. I feel so good (especially after steak and tomatoes yesterday) that I might attempt to do a one day master cleanse on Sunday to try and lose at least 1 more pound. Good luck to all :) I will keep updating!!
posted Jan 6th, 2012 6:57 pmMimilv
Day one of diet and so far so good! I made the soup last night and it turned out pretty tasty.
posted Jan 6th, 2012 12:43 amWhat I used was
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 leek
4 green onions
2 red bell peppers
4 carrots
1/2 head of cabbage
1 vegetable bouillon
low sodium V8 juice
2 cans of diced tomatoes
And Vegetta for seasoning
Had one bowl of soup
4 tangerines and one small apple so far.
Sheryl
Day 1.... Wish me luck! It already made me use the bathroom less than an hour.
posted Jan 5th, 2012 6:37 pmstellzbellz
+day 2...down 1 pound (not too impressed) but not giving up yet...feel pretty hungry but the baked potato today really helped...cabbage soup tastes gross...i think i might have made it way too spicy...going to try a new batch tomorrow without the crushed tomatoes or tomato paste...i'm actually looking forward to bananas and milk day and i'm not a big fan of either...hopefully i'll lose 10 but for the relatively short period of time, i'll take 5-7 gladly :) good luck to all! will keep posting...
posted Jan 2nd, 2012 11:32 pmMelissa
On day 4... doing good, actually feeling pretty great. Today is Milk and Bananas day, glad I like both... Already starting to see and feel results! But I won't weigh myself until day 7... fill you guys in then! Anyone starting...stick to it, it's worth it.
posted Dec 9th, 2011 3:16 pm