Cabbage soup might not be the first choice for a lot of people, but if you're looking for fast weight loss to kickstart your journey, this could be for you. This article will go through what the diet is, the potential benefits and side effects, to help you weigh up whether or not it will suit you.
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What is the cabbage soup diet?How long does is last?Which foods are allowed on the diet?Can it help with weight loss?What are the benefits?Are there any side effects?Cabbage soup diet recipe.FAQs.
What is the cabbage soup diet?
The cabbage soup diet is designed for quick weight loss by limiting your food intake to primarily low fat, low calorie cabbage soup. Cabbage is high infibreand low in calories. The diet has been around for many years and is often “reinvented” with the same basic principle - a week of verylow-caloriemeals, mostly consisting of cabbage soup.
How long does it last?
Typically,the cabbage soup diet is designed to last one week and promises fast weight loss. However, most of the weight loss in such a short period of time is likely water weight.
Which foods are allowed on the cabbage soup diet?
According to a version published in 2004, the diet also allows certain fruits, vegetables, beverages, brown rice, skim milk, and lean beef or chicken over the course of the week.And of course, cabbage soup.
Can it help with weight loss?
The weight loss claims of this diet are that you can lose 10 or more pounds in one week. It is a verylow-caloriediet, which can likely lead to quick water weight loss.
So, if you do see changes on the scale, they may not be permanent - but a reflection of lost water and a combination of fat and lean mass.
What are the benefits?
Structure
If you find it difficult to make healthy eating choices because you’re not sure what foods to choose, some people benefit from the very detailed meal plan provided by this diet.
Quick Weight Changes
Even if the results are not sustainable, the dramatic meal plan of this diet will likely result in some form of weight loss in the short term.
Heart Healthy Foods
While the diet may be too low in calories to sustain long term, it is based on fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains - which is a good diet pattern to follow overall.
Are there any side effects?
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
The highfibrecontent of the diet may lead to gas problems if your system is not used to that level offibredaily.So, be aware of excess gas you’re not used to.
High Sodium Levels
If you have any health concerns that require you to limit your sodium intake, many soups and broths are very high in salt - so you may want to be conscious of the sodium in the recipe you follow or soups you buy.
Weakness
If you are consuming a veryfew calories, with minimal carbs, like with this dietasks, you may feel weak or tired throughout the day. It will likely be challenging to perform any strenuous physical activity or exercise.It may also cause fatigue and make daily tasks much more difficult.
Cabbage soup diet recipe:
Ingredients:
- 6 green onions
- 2 green peppers
- 1-2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 bunch celery
- 1-2 bouillon cubes
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1 8oz can V8 Juice (optional)
Directions:
- Chop all raw vegetables into small pieces and added canned tomatoes and bouillon cubes.
- Cover with water (and V8 if you choose) and bring to a boil in a large pot.
- Cook the soup for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are all tender.
- You may add parsley, Worcestershiresauce, or black pepper if desired.
Nutritional information:
| Calories (entire recipe, 1 serving) | 400 |
| Total Fat | 2.3g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 2100mg |
| Total Carbs | 92g |
| Dietary Fibre | 35g |
| Total Sugars | 51g |
| Protein | 19g |
Cabbage soup diet FAQs
Can I exercise on the cabbage soup diet?
With such a low calorie and low carb count, this diet would likely make it difficult to domuchexercise. The diet does suggest exercise to speed up weight loss and discusses building up activity over time.But be cautious with any strenuous exercisedueto the low calories.
Why do I feel so tired?
A verylow-caloriediet, low in carbohydrates specifically, makes your body feel tired. Without getting much fuel (calories) coming in from food, your body tries to conserve energy - making you feel tired.
What can you drink on the cabbage soup diet?
Beverages allowed on the diet range from skim milk, water, cranberry juice, tea, and coffee.
Can I drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet?
Most versions allow black coffee while following the cabbage soup diet, but not coffee with milk.
FAQs
The cabbage soup diet is one of the most popular soup diets. It lasts for 7 days and the meal plan consists of vegetable soup made up of cabbage and other vegetables that are low in carbohydrates. Alongside the soup you can also include other low-calorie foods such as skimmed milk and leafy greens.
Does the cabbage soup diet really make you lose weight? ›
Like other very low calorie diets, the Cabbage Soup Diet will likely cause temporary weight loss. But people who follow it tend to regain most of the weight lost unless they make other permanent changes. Additionally, eating only cabbage soup is nutritionally unbalanced and not safe.
Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›
Does cabbage burn belly fat? Although cabbage is a nutritious low-calorie vegetable, many people associate it with weight loss because of the popular "cabbage soup diet". Some creative marketing has led people to believe that cabbage actually burns body fat. In fact, no food, including cabbage, burns body fat.
What can I eat for breakfast on the cabbage soup diet? ›
No fruit, corn, beans, or peas. One russet or sweet potato baked with butter or oil is allowed. Breakfast: You can begin the day with the baked potato. Dice the potato into cubes, sprinkle it with some cinnamon and olive oil, then roast in the oven with onions and bell pepper.
Does cabbage detox the body? ›
Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.
What happens if you do the cabbage soup diet for 2 weeks? ›
It will likely leave you feeling hungry, weak, and bored. You might even feel sick. And if you follow the Cabbage Soup Diet for more than a week, you could run short on key nutrients. Nor does the diet encourage the necessary lifestyle changes you need to make in order to be healthier and have lasting weight loss.
What to eat on day 2 of a cabbage soup diet? ›
What foods are allowed on the cabbage soup diet?
- Day 1: cabbage soup and raw fruit, but no bananas.
- Day 2: cabbage soup and leafy green vegetables, raw or cooked, but no potatoes.
- Day 3: cabbage soup and as many fruits and vegetables as you can eat, but no potatoes or bananas.
Gas, Abdominal Pain and Bloating
For this reason, it is no surprise that gas, bloating and abdominal pain are common reported side effects of the Cabbage Soup Diet. Symptoms vary in severity and frequency, depending upon how much cabbage soup you consume and your sensitivity to gas-causing substances in cabbage.
How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›
To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.
Can you eat eggs on the cabbage soup diet? ›
They are high in calories and sugar, so they are not recommended on the cabbage soup diet. High-Fat Foods: Foods rich in saturated fats, such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, vegetables like avocado, and high-fat sauces or dressings, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid eggs.
You cannot eat (or drink) any food or beverage that is not on the 7-day cabbage soup meal plan. This includes alcohol, most grains and bread products, sugary drinks and fruit juices, and high-fat foods.
How long does it take to see results on the cabbage soup diet? ›
People who follow the diet strictly will likely lose some weight, potentially 10 pounds per week or more. This is because it involves eating so few calories each day. However, in most cases, people quickly regain this lost weight once they return to their regular diet.
Can I drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›
OTHER CABBAGE SOUP DIET NOTES:
DRINKS: Stick with water, unsweet tea, black coffee, unsweetened juices, cranberry juice, or skim milk. Black coffee is permitted, but you may find that you no longer need the caffeine after the third day.
Does cabbage clear your bowels? ›
Packed with phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fiber, cabbage can help keep your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular.
What is the best drink to flush your system fast? ›
- Lemon detox drink: Lemon is one of the most common and staple ingredients of detox drinks. ...
- Mint and cucumber detox drink: This detox drink is claimed to be great for managing weight and maintaining fluid and mineral balance in the body. ...
- Coconut water detox drink: This is an easy and quick drink to prepare.
Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant-based foods like cabbage decreases the risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and overall mortality. It can also help promote a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight.
Can you cheat on cabbage soup diet? ›
The cabbage soup diet has low calories. Eat as much cabbage soup as you would like to keep your stamina up and drink plenty of water. If I start to feel sluggish, I cheat and have a baked sweet potato, a protein shake, or some juice.
Does cabbage give you gas? ›
Certain vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, and cauliflower are known to cause excess gas. Like beans, these vegetables also contain the complex sugar, raffinose. However, these are very healthy foods, so you may want to talk with your doctor before eliminating them from your diet.
