How does the Cabbage Soup Diet work. What are the rules and guidelines of this short-term weight loss plan. Is the Cabbage Soup Diet effective for sustainable weight loss. What are the potential risks and benefits of following this diet.

The Cabbage Soup Diet: An Overview

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term, rapid weight loss plan that has been circulating since the 1980s. This diet promises significant weight loss of up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in just one week. The core principle of this diet revolves around consuming large quantities of homemade cabbage soup, supplemented with a few other low-calorie foods on specific days.

Despite its popularity, the origins of this diet remain unclear. Some claim it was developed by hospitals for quick weight loss before heart surgery, but these claims have been denied by the implicated medical institutions.

The Cabbage Soup Recipe: The Foundation of the Diet

The cornerstone of this diet is a low-calorie, vegetable-rich cabbage soup. Here’s a basic recipe:

• 2 large onions
• 2 green peppers
• 2 cans of tomatoes
• 1 bunch of celery
• 1 head of cabbage
• 3 carrots
• 1 package of mushrooms
• 1–2 bouillon cubes (optional)
• 6–8 cups of water or vegetable cocktail

To prepare the soup, chop all vegetables, sauté onions in a small amount of oil, add remaining vegetables, cover with liquid, and simmer until tender. The soup can be seasoned to taste and other non-starchy vegetables can be added for variety.

The 7-Day Meal Plan: A Day-by-Day Breakdown

The Cabbage Soup Diet follows a strict 7-day meal plan. Each day allows for unlimited cabbage soup consumption, along with specific foods:

1. Day 1: Fruit (except bananas)
2. Day 2: Vegetables (especially leafy greens) and one baked potato
3. Day 3: Fruits and vegetables (no potato or bananas)
4. Day 4: Bananas and skim milk
5. Day 5: 10–20 ounces of beef (or chicken/fish) and tomatoes
6. Day 6: Beef and vegetables
7. Day 7: Vegetables, brown rice, and unsweetened fruit juice

Is this meal plan nutritionally balanced? While it incorporates various food groups, the extreme calorie restriction and limited food choices raise concerns about nutritional adequacy.

The Science Behind the Cabbage Soup Diet

The Cabbage Soup Diet has not been subjected to scientific studies, making it challenging to confirm its effectiveness definitively. However, the dramatic weight loss often reported by followers can be attributed to several factors:

• Severe calorie restriction
• Increased fluid intake
• Reduced carbohydrate consumption
• Temporary loss of water weight

Can this diet lead to sustainable weight loss? While initial weight loss is likely, it’s primarily due to fluid loss and calorie deficit. Once normal eating resumes, most people regain the lost weight rapidly.

Potential Benefits of the Cabbage Soup Diet

Despite its controversial nature, the Cabbage Soup Diet may offer some benefits:

• Rapid initial weight loss, which can be motivating
• Increased vegetable consumption
• Short-term reduction in calorie intake
• Potential kickstart for a longer-term, balanced diet plan

Are these benefits enough to outweigh the potential risks? It’s important to consider the diet’s short-term nature and lack of scientific backing when evaluating its overall value.

Risks and Drawbacks of the Cabbage Soup Diet

While the Cabbage Soup Diet may lead to quick weight loss, it comes with several potential risks:

• Nutritional deficiencies due to restricted food choices
• Lack of protein, which may lead to muscle loss
• Excessive gas and bloating from high cabbage consumption
• Dizziness, weakness, and fatigue from low calorie intake
• Difficulty maintaining weight loss after the diet ends
• Potential for disordered eating patterns

Should these risks deter individuals from trying the Cabbage Soup Diet? For most people, especially those with underlying health conditions, the potential drawbacks outweigh the short-term benefits.

Alternatives to the Cabbage Soup Diet

For those seeking healthier, more sustainable weight loss options, consider these alternatives:

• Balanced, calorie-controlled diet with a variety of foods
• Mediterranean diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
• DASH diet, designed to lower blood pressure and promote overall health
• Intermittent fasting, which may offer similar rapid results with more flexibility
• Consulting with a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice

Why might these alternatives be more effective in the long run? Unlike the Cabbage Soup Diet, these approaches focus on sustainable lifestyle changes and balanced nutrition, promoting long-term health and weight management.

The Role of Exercise in Weight Loss

While the Cabbage Soup Diet focuses solely on food intake, incorporating regular physical activity is crucial for sustainable weight loss and overall health. Exercise offers numerous benefits beyond weight management:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Increased muscle mass and metabolic rate
• Enhanced mood and mental well-being
• Better sleep quality
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases

How can exercise be incorporated into a weight loss plan? Start with moderate activities like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling for 30 minutes a day, gradually increasing intensity and duration as fitness improves.

Psychological Aspects of Rapid Weight Loss Diets

The appeal of diets like the Cabbage Soup Diet often lies in their promise of quick results. However, this approach can have psychological implications:

• Reinforcement of yo-yo dieting patterns
• Development of an unhealthy relationship with food
• Increased stress and anxiety around eating
• Lowered self-esteem when weight is regained

How can individuals develop a healthier mindset towards weight loss? Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes, set realistic goals, and celebrate non-scale victories like increased energy and improved health markers.

The Importance of Nutrient Density in Weight Loss Diets

While the Cabbage Soup Diet is low in calories, it lacks the nutrient density necessary for optimal health. Nutrient-dense foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds while keeping calorie count relatively low. Examples include:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard)
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Lean proteins (chicken breast, fish, tofu)
• Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oats)
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, black beans)

Why is nutrient density crucial for successful weight loss? Nutrient-dense foods help maintain muscle mass, support metabolic functions, and keep you feeling satiated, making it easier to stick to a reduced-calorie diet in the long term.

The Role of Hydration in Weight Management

While the Cabbage Soup Diet inadvertently promotes increased fluid intake through soup consumption, proper hydration is essential for any weight loss plan. Adequate water intake offers several benefits:

• Improved metabolism
• Enhanced feelings of fullness
• Better digestion and nutrient absorption
• Increased energy levels
• Improved skin health

How much water should one drink for optimal weight management? While individual needs vary, a general guideline is to aim for 8-10 cups (64-80 ounces) of water per day, adjusting for activity level and climate.

The Impact of Sleep on Weight Loss Efforts

Often overlooked in weight loss discussions, sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight. Poor sleep can sabotage even the most dedicated diet efforts by:

• Increasing hunger hormones
• Decreasing feelings of fullness
• Reducing energy for physical activity
• Impairing decision-making around food choices
• Slowing metabolism

How can one improve sleep quality to support weight loss? Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, limit screen time before bed, and ensure a comfortable sleep environment.

The Role of Gut Health in Weight Management

Emerging research suggests that gut health plays a significant role in weight management. While the Cabbage Soup Diet may temporarily alter gut bacteria due to its high fiber content, a more balanced approach to supporting gut health includes:

• Consuming a variety of fiber-rich foods
• Including fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut
• Limiting processed foods and artificial sweeteners
• Staying hydrated
• Managing stress levels

How does a healthy gut microbiome contribute to weight management? A balanced gut microbiome can improve digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, regulate appetite hormones, and even influence metabolism.

The Importance of Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

While the Cabbage Soup Diet promises rapid results, sustainable weight loss requires long-term lifestyle changes. These might include:

• Developing a balanced, varied diet that you enjoy
• Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine
• Managing stress through techniques like meditation or yoga
• Prioritizing adequate sleep
• Building a support system for your health goals

Why are sustainable changes more effective than quick-fix diets? Gradual, consistent changes allow your body and mind to adapt, making it easier to maintain new habits over time and achieve lasting results.

The Role of Mindful Eating in Weight Management

Unlike the rigid structure of the Cabbage Soup Diet, mindful eating encourages a more intuitive approach to food consumption. This practice involves:

• Paying attention to hunger and fullness cues
• Eating slowly and without distractions
• Noticing the flavors, textures, and sensations of food
• Recognizing emotional triggers for eating
• Choosing foods that nourish your body and satisfy your palate

How can mindful eating support weight loss efforts? By fostering a more aware and intentional relationship with food, mindful eating can help prevent overeating, reduce emotional eating, and promote a more balanced approach to nutrition.

The Importance of Individualized Approach to Weight Loss

While the Cabbage Soup Diet offers a one-size-fits-all approach, effective weight management often requires a personalized strategy. Factors to consider include:

• Individual nutritional needs based on age, gender, and activity level
• Personal food preferences and cultural considerations
• Existing health conditions or medications
• Lifestyle factors such as work schedule and family responsibilities
• Weight loss history and metabolic factors

Why is an individualized approach more effective? By tailoring a weight loss plan to your specific needs and circumstances, you’re more likely to find a sustainable approach that fits into your life and produces lasting results.

The Role of Social Support in Weight Loss Success

While the Cabbage Soup Diet is often undertaken as a solitary endeavor, research shows that social support can significantly enhance weight loss efforts. Benefits of a strong support system include:

• Increased motivation and accountability
• Shared knowledge and resources
• Emotional support during challenges
• Celebration of successes and milestones
• Reduced feelings of isolation

How can one build a supportive environment for weight loss? Consider joining a weight loss support group, partnering with a friend for workout sessions, or working with a health coach or registered dietitian for professional guidance and encouragement.

The Impact of Stress on Weight Management

While the Cabbage Soup Diet focuses solely on food intake, stress levels can significantly impact weight loss efforts. Chronic stress can lead to:

• Increased cortisol production, which can promote fat storage
• Emotional eating or cravings for high-calorie comfort foods
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Reduced motivation for physical activity
• Impaired digestion and nutrient absorption

How can stress management support weight loss goals? Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep can help create a more favorable environment for weight loss and overall health.

The Role of Portion Control in Sustainable Weight Loss

While the Cabbage Soup Diet allows unlimited consumption of the titular soup, learning proper portion control is crucial for long-term weight management. Effective portion control strategies include:

• Using smaller plates and bowls
• Measuring servings until you can eyeball portions accurately
• Filling half your plate with vegetables
• Eating slowly to allow your body to register fullness
• Being mindful of calorie-dense foods

Why is portion control more effective than restrictive dieting? By learning to eat appropriate portions of a variety of foods, you can enjoy a balanced diet while maintaining a calorie deficit for weight loss, leading to more sustainable results.

Does It Work for Weight Loss?

Healthline Diet Score: 0.71 out of 5

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term weight loss diet.

As the name implies, it involves eating large quantities of cabbage soup.

Proponents of the diet say that it can help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a single week, but many health experts warn that the diet is unhealthy and its results unsustainable.

This article examines the Cabbage Soup Diet and its effectiveness.

diet review scorecard

• Overall score: 0.71
• Weight loss: 1.0
• Healthy eating: 0.0
• Sustainability: 1.2
• Whole body health: 0.0
• Nutrition quality: 1.2
• Evidence based: .07

BOTTOM LINE: The Cabbage Soup Diet is likely to cause weight loss — but only because it severely reduces your calorie intake. As soon as you stop this one-week diet, you’re likely to regain the weight you lost. .

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a rapid weight loss diet. Its proponents claim that seven days on the diet can lead to weight loss of up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg).

The diet works exactly as its name implies — for one week, you eat almost nothing but homemade cabbage soup. Each day, you can also have 1–2 other foods, such as skim milk, fruit or vegetables.

The diet is intended to last no longer than seven days for the purpose of slimming down or jump-starting a longer-term diet plan.

The Cabbage Soup Diet is also known by other names, such as the Sacred Heart Hospital Diet or the Mayo Clinic Diet, supposedly because it was developed in a hospital for quick weight loss before surgery for heart patients.

But the implicated hospitals have denied these claims.

No one knows exactly where this unique diet originated from, though it first gained popularity during the 1980s and has stuck around ever since.

Summary

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a one-week weight loss diet that promises to help you lose up to 10 pounds (4. 5 kg).

Homemade cabbage soup forms the basis of this diet.

In order to start, you need to prepare large batches of soup to eat for the entire week.

Keep in mind that specific ingredients for the soup may vary.

The Cabbage Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions
• 2 green peppers
• 2 cans of tomatoes
• 1 bunch of celery
• 1 head of cabbage
• 3 carrots
• 1 package of mushrooms
• 1–2 bouillon cubes (optional)
• 6–8 cups of water or vegetable cocktail, such as V8

Directions:

1. Chop all vegetables into cubes.
2. In a large stock pot, sauté onions in a small amount of oil.
3. Then add the remaining vegetables and cover with water or vegetable cocktail and add bouillon cubes or other seasonings, if desired.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Let simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30–45 minutes.

You may season the soup with salt, pepper, hot sauce, herbs or spices. You may also add other non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach or green beans.

Every day, you should eat as much cabbage soup as you want — at least for several meals.

Rules of the Diet

You are allowed to eat 1–2 other low-calorie foods daily in addition to the soup. However, it is important not to make any other substitutions and to drink only water or other calorie-free beverages, such as unsweetened tea.

A daily multivitamin is often recommended because the diet may be low in certain nutrients.

These are the rules for each day of the Cabbage Soup Diet.

• Day 1: Unlimited cabbage soup and fruit, but no bananas.
• Day 2: Only soup and vegetables. Focus on raw or cooked leafy greens. Avoid peas, corn and beans. You may also have one baked potato with butter or oil.
• Day 3: As many fruits and vegetables as you can eat, in addition to the soup. However, no baked potato and no bananas.
• Day 4: Unlimited bananas, skim milk and cabbage soup.
• Day 5: You are allowed 10–20 ounces (280–567 grams) of beef, which you may substitute for chicken or fish. You may also have up to six fresh tomatoes. Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water.
• Day 6: Soup, beef and vegetables. You may substitute the beef for broiled fish if you did not do so the day prior. Focus on leafy greens. No baked potato.
• Day 7: You may have vegetables, brown rice and unlimited fruit juice — but no added sugar.

You should not continue the diet for more than seven days at a time. However, you may repeat the diet as long as you wait at least two weeks before starting it again.

Summary

To follow the Cabbage Soup Diet, you need to prepare large batches of cabbage soup to eat multiple times per day. You are also allowed to eat 1–2 other foods each day.

The Cabbage Soup Diet has never been studied, so it’s impossible to truly confirm its effectiveness.

Yet, because the Cabbage Soup Diet is very low in calories, it will probably cause weight loss.

While you’re allowed to eat unlimited amounts of soup and certain other foods during this diet, the choices are so limited and low in calories that it would be very difficult to eat enough to maintain your body weight.

Although the Cabbage Soup Diet will probably help you lose weight, most of that weight is likely to come back as soon as you stop the diet.

Notably, when you severely restrict your calorie intake or lose a lot of weight, your body responds by lowering your metabolic rate, reducing the number of calories you burn per day (1, 2, 3).

This lowering of metabolism is a common cause of weight loss plateaus in long-term diets.

However, your metabolism may start to diminish as early as three days into a very-low-calorie diet. This slowdown may explain why it is so hard to prevent weight gain after going off your diet (1, 2).

Nevertheless, very-low-calorie diets also have some benefits.

Studies indicate that when obese people follow very-low-calorie diets for 4–12 weeks under the supervision of a doctor, they can experience significant short-term improvements in weight loss and metabolic health (3, 4, 5).

A few studies show that even short-term, very-low-calorie diets can temporarily decrease insulin resistance, even though they are too short to produce large changes in body fat (6, 7).

Another potential positive of the Cabbage Soup Diet is that you are not forced to go hungry, as you may eat as many of the allowed foods as you want each day.

The diet also includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories and high in fiber.

What’s more, the diet is very cheap to follow.

Unlike other diets that force you to purchase expensive supplements or books, this diet only requires you to buy the low-cost ingredients for the soup and a few other basic foods.

Summary

The Cabbage Soup Diet is very low in calories, so it should cause you to lose weight if you can stick with it. However, it is likely that any weight loss will be temporary.

Although the Cabbage Soup Diet may help you lose some weight, its drawbacks may outweigh its benefits.

One of the main problems with the Cabbage Soup Diet is that it can only be followed for one week, which is not long enough for meaningful weight loss.

Your body can only burn so much fat per week. In the first week of a low-calorie diet, only about 34% of the weight lost is actually from fat (1).

The other two-thirds comes from lost water weight and muscle mass (1).

Water weight comes from your glycogen stores, which are your body’s quick energy reserves. Normally, glycogen binds to water molecules in your body.

When you don’t eat enough calories, your body uses up the stored glycogen as energy and also sheds that extra water (1, 8).

However, as soon as you return to a less restrictive diet, your body will rebuild those emergency stores and take on water weight again — even if you continue with a healthy diet (9).

Another big problem with the Cabbage Soup Diet is its lack of nutrients.

The Cabbage Soup Diet has so few food choices that it is deficient in many vitamins and minerals and offers no real source of protein on most days.

Without much protein, you will struggle to prevent muscle loss during the diet.

Moreover, the diet is incredibly bland, making it hard to endure for an entire week.

It also requires frequent large-batch cooking in order to prepare enough cabbage soup, which may be a drawback for some people.

Summary

The Cabbage Soup Diet is bland, hard to stick to and deficient in many nutrients. Since it lasts only a week, most of the weight you lose is only water weight that will return once you stop the diet.

The Cabbage Soup Diet is not recommended for more than one week at a time because of how restrictive and nutritionally imbalanced it is.

Very Low in Calories

Although the Cabbage Soup Diet is not a starvation diet, the foods are so low in calories that it would be difficult to reach 1,000 calories per day.

This is below the estimated minimum calories needed to maintain a stable weight. That minimum is typically 1,200 calories for women and 1,500 calories for men, on average (10).

Very-low-calorie diets under 800 calories per day are only recommended for obese people under the close supervision of a physician.

May Not Provide Enough Nutrients

Low-calorie diets that are used under the supervision of a physician are typically designed to be nutritionally adequate (11, 12).

However, the food choices of the Cabbage Soup Diet are very limited and unbalanced. The diet includes almost no protein and is also very low in carbs, fat and calories. Additionally, it’s deficient in many vitamins and minerals.

There is not a serious risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you only follow the diet for one week, especially if you decide to take a multivitamin. But this doesn’t make up for the diet’s lack of calories and protein.

Consequently, many people on the Cabbage Soup Diet complain of dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness while on the diet.

May Cause Flatulence and Cramping

Because this diet is very high in fiber, many people complain about flatulence and cramping as major side effects. These effects may be bothersome enough to stop the diet (14).

May Cause Gallbladder Issues

There have been a few anecdotal reports of gallstones and gallbladder blockages in people who used the Cabbage Soup Diet over the long term.

Gallstones can be the unintended consequence of any rapid weight loss.

Normally, when you eat high-fat foods, your gallbladder releases digestive juices to help break them down.

However, if you hardly eat any fat, your gallbladder may not empty for longer periods of time, making it more likely that stones will form.

Gallstones may be more common among people following a very-low-calorie diet or a low-fat diet, such as the Cabbage Soup Diet (13).

May Change Your Blood Sugar Levels

If you have diabetes and you’re interested in going on the Cabbage Soup Diet, proceed with caution. The low carb and calorie content may cause big changes in your blood sugar levels.

That said, the diet is not likely to have dangerous side effects for most healthy people as long as it is only used for one week, as intended.

Summary

The Cabbage Soup Diet is not suitable for long-term use because it lacks key nutrients. Despite some uncomfortable side effects, going on it for one week is probably not dangerous for most healthy people.

Like other very-low-calorie diets, the Cabbage Soup Diet is likely to cause weight loss if you can stick to it for one week.

However, because it is only a short-term diet, you will likely gain most of the weight back unless you make permanent changes to your lifestyle.

Additionally, it’s unwise and nutritionally unbalanced to eat only cabbage soup. Many people find the diet unappealing and hard to stick to.

While this diet may help you drop excess weight quickly, you’re better off with other options if you want to achieve long-lasting weight loss and better health.

Does it work, and how do I follow it?

Some people may lose weight using the cabbage soup diet. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the diet’s suitability for healthy weight loss.

The cabbage soup diet is a diet fad that became popular in the 1980s. It involves eating primarily cabbage soup for 1 week.

Supporters of the diet claim that people who follow it strictly can lose around 10 pounds in a week.

Crash diets such as the cabbage soup diet may cause initial weight loss. However, most people gain the weight back once they stop following the diet.

This article discusses how the diet works and how to follow it, whether or not it is effective for weight loss, and some potential drawbacks and health risks associated with it.

There are several variations of the cabbage soup diet.

Most variations of the cabbage soup diet involve eating soup made out of white cabbage for a week while gradually introducing other low calorie foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, into the diet throughout the week.

As well as cabbage, some people may make soup from other low calorie vegetables, such as:

• bell peppers
• spinach and other leafy greens
• mushrooms
• leeks
• broccoli or cauliflower
• zucchini

How much soup someone makes depends on how much of it they intend to eat.

Because cabbage soup is very low in calories, there is no limit to how much a person may consume while following this diet. Most people will need at least two bowls per day for the week to avoid feeling excessively hungry.

While following the cabbage soup diet, people can eat as much cabbage soup as they want, as well as unsweetened, low calorie drinks, such as herbal tea and black coffee.

At certain points throughout the week, the person may add other low calorie foods back into the diet, as follows:

• Day 1: Eat cabbage soup and raw fruits, but no bananas.
• Day 2: Eat cabbage soup and cooked or raw vegetables, but no potatoes.
• Day 3: Eat cabbage soup and raw, low fat fruits and vegetables, but no potatoes or bananas.
• Day 4: Eat cabbage soup, skim milk, and no more than eight bananas.
• Day 5: Eat cabbage soup, six tomatoes, and 565 grams of beef (or a substitute for beef, such as pork, fish, or chicken).
• Day 6: Eat cabbage soup, unlimited vegetables but no potatoes, and unlimited beef (or another protein option).
• Day 7: Eat cabbage soup, sugar-free fruit juice, and brown rice.

Following this diet typically provides a lot fewer than 1,000 calories per day during days 1–3 and around 1,000–1,200 calories per day during days 4–7.

Because it provides so few calories, people following the cabbage soup diet should not exercise during the week. Their bodies simply will not have enough caloric energy to healthily expend during extra activity.

Some anecdotal sources say that people following the cabbage soup diet may lose 10 pounds per week or more.

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.

It is important to note that only around 34% of weight loss that occurs during the first week of following a very low calorie diet is from body fat. The rest of the lost weight will likely come from muscle tissue and water from reserves inside and outside cells.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that the cabbage soup diet is safe or effective for weight loss. No health authorities recommend following the diet.

Proponents of the cabbage soup diet also encourage people not to exercise while following it. However, getting enough exercise is very important to good health overall. Regular exercise is also far more likely to lead to meaningful, long-term weight loss.

Crash dieting can also reduce someone’s rate of metabolism, which can cause weight gain or prevent weight loss.

When the body does not receive sufficient calories, it has to break down muscles for energy. The lower the muscle mass, the slower metabolism is, as muscle burns more calories during rest than fat.

At best, the cabbage soup diet may lead to the temporary loss of a few pounds, though this weight loss is likely to be both temporary and unhealthy.

The cabbage soup diet has many drawbacks.

Like many other fad diets, the cabbage soup diet is not a realistic long-term weight loss plan.

Eating so few calories will likely not provide enough nutrition for the body to function properly, which may lead to loss of muscle mass, reduced cognitive function, and feelings of illness or exhaustion.

Most people also find eating the same bland food every day unappetizing and boring. They are, therefore, less likely to stick to the diet.

Following the cabbage soup diet can also be difficult socially, as the restrictive nature of the diet makes eating out or with other people very difficult.

Also, because the cabbage soup diet excludes most sources of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, people may need to take supplements and vitamins during the diet.

Aside from feeling generally worn down while following the cabbage soup diet, some people may also experience:

• gas, bloating, or stomach cramps
• difficulty concentrating or thinking
• dehydration
• brain fog
• headaches
• malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies, especially in protein, carbohydrates, and fat
• reduced metabolism
• muscle loss
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• passing out or losing consciousness

Losing weight rapidly and following low calorie, low fat diets can also increase the risk of developing gallstones. These are hard, pebble-like lumps that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

Gallstones are typically made of cholesterol and bilirubin. This is a pigment released when red blood cells die that the liver processes. That is likely because the liver produces digestive juices called bile to help digest fats.

When someone does not consume enough fat, the gallbladder releases bile less often, and bile can accumulate in it. This can increase the risk of gallstones forming.

Losing weight quickly or not eating for long periods of time can also cause the liver to release excess cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing gallstones.

Because the cabbage soup diet includes almost no carbohydrates, it can also lower someone’s blood sugar, or glucose, levels.

Without carbohydrates to digest, the body’s insulin levels also drop. Insulin is the hormone that helps control blood glucose levels.

Sudden drops in blood glucose and insulin levels can be extremely dangerous, especially for people with metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

Without treatment, very low blood glucose levels can lead to organ failure, coma, and death.

The cabbage soup diet is a fad diet without scientific research to support its safety or effectiveness. It involves eating cabbage soup almost exclusively for a week.

Crash diets usually cause sudden weight loss, which can be significant. However, this lost weight will usually return once someone stops following the diet.

Although the diet is relatively cheap and easy to follow, it is not a sustainable plan for weight loss or good health. It also carries many health risks and drawbacks, some of which can be severe.

A person should talk with a doctor before trying the cabbage soup diet. Even with a doctor’s supervision, people should never follow the diet for longer than 1 week.

Cabbage diet

articleContent In the cabbage diet, you can use any type of cabbage – cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Beijing, cauliflower and broccoli, as well as combinations of them. Cabbage can be eaten in the form of salads, as well as boiled, stewed or baked.

Before trying this diet, be sure to consult your doctor.

General recommendations for the cabbage diet

1. Avoid products made from flour, alcohol, sugary and carbonated drinks, fats, salt and sugar.

2. Drink about 1.5-2 liters of liquid daily: herbal decoctions, green tea, water and black coffee with breakfast.

3. Have at least 5 meals, preferably at regular intervals.

4. During the diet, intense physical and mental stress is not allowed.

5. After a few days of food restrictions, the body will try to gain lost pounds, so watch your diet, do not abuse fatty, fried, sweet and flour products.

6. After finishing the diet, you can start exercising to tighten your skin and keep your weight off. Read on.

articleContent Cabbage diet for 3 days

This diet will be satisfying, so you won’t have to go hungry. In addition to cabbage, which you can eat as much as you like, you need to drink 1.5 liters of liquid per day in the form of green tea. You can also eat all fruits, with the exception of bananas.

Quick Cabbage Diet

The duration of the diet is up to you, it can last from 3 to 5 days. It is very important, while following a diet, to eat at the same time 5-6 times a day. Also, nutritionists recommend giving up salt or limiting it to 5 grams per day. When following a diet, you should drink up to two liters of water per day, including food prepared with water.

READ ALSO: Star recipe: Rooster in wine from Alexey Dushka

Weight loss in a week

This diet is hard because you need to eliminate as many foods as possible, leaving only cabbage and a lot of water. You can not use sugar, salt, flour products, soda, alcohol.

Cabbage should be eaten in unlimited quantities and in any form, adding carrots, onions to meals, and also drinking a glass of kefir with a low percentage of fat content at night. You can add low-fat varieties of meat or fish to cabbage. Of fruits, it is not recommended to eat bananas and grapes, despite their high calorie content. Such a diet can save up to 7-10 kg per week.

READ ALSO: How to Love Broccoli: 5 Recipes for Skeptics

Disadvantages of the Cabbage Diet not sharp enough.

2. The diet is not balanced, so taking vitamins is mandatory.

articleContent3. Cabbage is a specific product: not everyone likes it, and not every body is able to tolerate it in large quantities (in case of side effects, bloating is possible).

Nutritionists warn that if you return to the previous way of eating after completing the diet, then the lost kilograms will return in a couple of days.

flat stomach in 14 days – Diets – Homemade

• home

• diets

• org/ListItem”>

  Cabbage diet: flat stomach in 14 days

If the hardest thing for you is to get rid of
from the stomach, you need to urgently change the diet, using
This is the most effective product – white cabbage. Spring
in full swing, no time to waste!

29Mar 2017

Author:

Natalie Lissy

A tucked up belly visually makes the figure attractive even if you are overweight. A carefully selected diet and the right diet will allow you to get rid of your overhanging belly as soon as possible, tighten your figure and even reduce the so-called “ears” on your hips.

Why does cabbage work?

1. 10 ways to cheat hunger while dieting

   Due to the increased content of coarse dietary fiber (fiber), cabbage improves digestion, which helps to cleanse the body of toxins and remove excess fluid.

2. Cabbage practically does not contain starch and sugars.

3. Fills the stomach, eliminating hunger, while having low calorie content .

4. This is one of the few vegetables that retains maximum vitamins by spring .

5. The product that everyone is available at the price of .

White cabbage works best at night while you sleep: it does not overload the body, while at the same time adjusting the work of the digestive organs, which is important if you want to have a toned stomach.

How to build a power plan:

1. For breakfast, be sure to consume complex carbohydrates (cereals, bread), dairy products, honey, fruits, berries, nuts are also allowed.

2. For lunch – protein (lean meat, fish, mushrooms) with vegetables, eggs.

3. For dinner – white cabbage dishes.
   Photo: thinkstockphotos.com

Meals cannot be interchanged with each other, but the days of the diet can be varied as you like. Dairy products can be consumed at any time of the day.

Completely excluded for the duration of the diet:

• white bread
• fatty sauces
• sweets
• polished white rice
• potatoes
• bananas
• carbonated drinks
• instant coffee
• butter

Important:

1. White cabbage is consumed raw.

2. To reduce the volume of the abdomen, we observe portion sizes of about 300–350 ml.

3. Reduce salt intake to a minimum or replace with a small amount of lightly salted soy sauce.

4. After each meal, you should feel a slight hunger. If during the diet the feeling of hunger haunts you constantly, add another meal from the dishes intended for dinner, but in no case increase the portion sizes.

The duration of the diet is 14 days.

Day 1

Breakfast – oatmeal with milk without sugar, green tea with honey

Lunch – hearty chicken chops
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com

Nado (serves 4) : 1 chicken breast, 2 tbsp. soy sauce, 1 tbsp. low-fat sour cream, 1 tsp vigorous mustard

For marinade, mix sour cream, soy sauce and mustard. Cut the chicken breast fillet lengthwise into four pieces and lightly beat off. Marinate the chicken and leave in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Put in a mold, cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 180°C. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.

Dinner – coleslaw with olive oil and lemon juice

Day 2

Breakfast – buckwheat porridge on the water with prunes and honey

Lunch – cutlets on a vegetable pillow

Nado (serves 6) : 400 g beef, 1 egg, 4 tbsp. bran, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 package of any vegetable mixture without potatoes and rice, 200 ml of water, fresh herbs, garlic, salt and pepper – to taste
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com

Grind beef, onion and carrot alternately in a blender and mix. Add egg, chopped herbs, bran, salt, pepper. Mix and form cutlets. Put vegetables on the bottom of the baking dish (do not salt), put cutlets on top, pour a little water, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 180 ° C.

Supper – shredded cabbage with no salt added olive oil and canned green peas

Day 3

Breakfast – fruit salad (apple, pear, orange) with 1 tsp. honey and 100 g fat-free cottage cheese

Lunch – steamed fish and broccoli without salt

Dinner – coleslaw with cheese
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com

Nado (serves 2) : 300 g white cabbage, 100 g carrots, 40 g hard cheese, 2 tsp. olive oil

Finely chop the cabbage, add carrots grated on a medium grater and hard cheese grated on a fine grater. Dress the salad with oil.

Day 4

Breakfast – buckwheat porridge without oil, 1 boiled egg, green tea with honey

Lunch – baked chicken fillet in spices and herbs

Dinner – cabbage salad with radish

Needed (for 2 servings) : 200 g cabbage, 200 g daikon (you can take an ordinary radish), 50 g carrots, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, ground coriander – on the tip of a knife, green onions – to taste, salt is not used

Finely chop the cabbage, grate the daikon and carrots, mix the vegetables. Drizzle with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coriander. Sprinkle salad with chopped green onions.

Day 5

Breakfast – oatmeal in milk with 1 tbsp. walnuts and 1 tsp. honey

Lunch – any vegetable soup with meat or chicken (no oil added)

Dinner – white and Chinese cabbage salad dressed with natural yoghurt and lemon juice without added salt
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com

Day 6

Breakfast – reduced fat hard cheese, whole grain bread, 1 apple, green tea with honey

Lunch – steamed fish without salt, steamed vegetables with lemon juice

Dinner – cabbage salad with protein

Need (for 2 servings) : 300 g cabbage, 4 eggs, 4 tbsp. natural yogurt, a bunch of fresh herbs, soy sauce – to taste

Hard boil the eggs, separate the white from the yolk, grate the white (the yolk will remain for breakfast). Shred the cabbage finely. Chop greens, mix with yogurt and soy sauce. Combine cabbage with egg white, season with sauce.

Day 7

Breakfast – buckwheat porridge with milk, boiled egg yolk, half an avocado, green tea with honey
Photo: thinkstockphotos.