Cabbage Soup Diet

This weight loss diet, mostly known as the cabbage soup¹ diet, has a number of other names: Sacred Heart diet, Russian peasant diet, military cabbage soup diet, General Motors diet, Dolly Parton diet, cabbage stew diet, models diet, the skinny diet, etc. No one exactly knows where and when it was first originated. In its present form, it gained popularity in the eighties when it was revitalized as Dolly Parton diet. Later it was named the models diet.

Though various forms of the cabbage diet have some differences they all emphasize that dieters are allowed to eat as much low-calorie cabbage soup as they want.

How Does It Work?

The weight loss program known as the cabbage soup diet is intended to be used for no more than seven days. As stated above, it is based on cabbage soup, which can be consumed in unlimited quantities. Moreover, they say the more soup the dieter eats, the more weight he loses.

Of course, the cabbage soup should be low-calorie and there are special recipes for cooking it. Dieters are also required to eat some additional foods on particular days.

It is said that the dieter will lose ten pounds during the seven day period if he strictly follows the cabbage soup diet.

What Are the Benefits?

The cabbage soup diet has many supporters due to its numerous advantages:

• First of all, it is a short-term diet, so you do not have to go on it for a long time.
• Second, it really helps to lose several pounds.
• The cabbage soup which is the basis of the diet is easy to cook and pretty cheap. On specific days, you are allowed to eat some other foods.
• This eating plan also cleanses your body.
• It can be used as a warm-up before going on a regular diet.

What Are the Risks?

But the cabbage soup diet has some drawbacks too:

• The weight which is lost during the seven days plan is mostly water because the body is not able to lose several pounds of fat in the course of a week. It means that the weight loss is temporary and later you will regain it. This “yo-yo” cycle can harm your health.
• Most cabbage soup dieters feel light-headed and weak, because they do not get enough vitamins, protein and minerals. There can also be other side effects, like dizziness, intestinal gas, headaches, moodiness, nausea, and frequent urination. If any of them become extreme, you should better discontinue being on the diet and go to your doctor.
• It is not that easy to eat cabbage soup every day during a week because its taste is pretty bland.
• The cabbage soup diet may not be followed by people having diabetes, digestive disorders and many other health problems.

What Foods Are Allowed?

The 7 day eating plan includes unlimited quantities of low-calorie cabbage soup and some vegetables, fruit, meat, and skim milk². The additional foods are allowed only on specific days. The cabbage soup diet fosters drinking much water or herbal teas.

What Foods Should Be Avoided?

The dieters are allowed to eat solely foods that are used for cooking cabbage soup (cabbage, fat-free broth, low-calorie vegetables) and a short list of additional products. Any other foods are prohibited. They may not drink alcohol.

In general, many professional dietitians and medical specialists are critical of the cabbage soup diet and advise dieters to give preference to another eating plan that is more varied, balanced, and implies physical activity.

Cabbage Soup Diet Plan

First of all, you should always remember that you can follow the cabbage soup diet for no longer than seven days at a time. Then you should take a break lasting for not less than two weeks.

Day One

During the first day of the cabbage diet you are allowed to eat nothing but cabbage soup and different fruits, except bananas. You may eat them as much as you would like. Drink water, cranberry juice, and unsweetened tea.

Day Two

Eat as much vegetables and cabbage soup as you want. The vegetables can be raw, cooked or fresh. Give preference to green veggies and avoid corn, peas, and dry beans. You are also allowed to eat one baked potato with salt and butter.

Day Three

You may eat cabbage soup, vegetables and fruits, except corn, starchy vegetables and bananas. The baked potato is not allowed.

Day Four

This is the day of skim milk/yogurt and bananas. You may drink as much skim milk and eat as much cabbage soup as you’d like. You may also eat up to eight bananas.

Day Five

Today you are allowed to eat no more than six tomatoes and up to twenty ounces of chicken, fish or beef. Of course, you should eat your cabbage soup at least one time this day. You also need to drink several glasses of water. It will help to get rid of the uric acid.

Day Six

Continue eating beef or chicken and add some green vegetables. At least once eat the cabbage soup.

Day Seven

Eat the soup, vegetables, unsweetened juices and brown rice. This is the last day of the cabbage soup diet.

Cabbage Soup Diet Success Stories

Paul

For Paul, it was pretty difficult to follow the cabbage soup diet. Many times he was about to give up because of the bland taste of the soup and the monotony of the eating plan. On the fourth day of the diet he felt a bit light-headed. When he noticed some other side effects, he began to take vitamins and they helped him to reduce the symptoms.

After the seven day plan had come to an end, Paul lost more than ten pounds, though most of this weight was so called water weight. So he knows from his experience that the cabbage soup diet really helps to lose several pounds quickly. But he also recommends to find a healthier diet if you are going to move forward.

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1. Cabbage soup is a liquid dish, made by boiling cabbage and vegetables in stock.
2. Skim milk is milk without the cream.