The cabbage soup diet review: Cabbage Soup Diet Review: Ingredients and Effectiveness
Cabbage Soup Diet Review: Ingredients and Effectiveness
Written by Stephanie Watson
Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on September 01, 2022
In this Article
- The Promise
- What You Can Eat
- Level of Effort: Medium
- Does It Allow for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences?
- What Else You Should Know
- What Dr. Melinda Ratini Says:
Fans claim you can drop 10 pounds or more in a week. Some people use it to kick-start their weight loss plan, or to trim a few pounds for a special event.
But before you stock up on cabbage, know that 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.
Just like the name says, the bulk of this diet is fat-free cabbage soup, eaten two to three times a day with other allowed foods assigned each day. Here’s what you can add:
- Day 1: Fruit, except bananas
- Day 2: Vegetables like leafy greens (not starchy), but no fruit
- Day 3: Fruits and vegetables
- Day 4: Bananas and skim milk
- Day 5: Beef (or baked chicken without the skin) and tomatoes
- Day 6: Beef and vegetables
- Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices, and vegetables
There are different recipes for the soup, which is recommended every day of the diet.
They all have similar ingredients, such as tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and bouillon.
Limitations: Your menu options are severely limited on this diet. It gets very boring, very quickly. If you want to try it again, it’s recommended that you wait 2 weeks first.
Cooking and shopping: Get out your soup pot. You will need to make the cabbage soup and cook some of the vegetables recommended in the plan. Your shopping list will be very short for the week.
Packaged foods or meals? No.
In-person meetings? No.
Exercise: The cabbage soup diet doesn’t include exercise, and working out at high levels isn’t a great idea on such a low-calorie diet. Your body just won’t have enough gas in the tank for exercise.
There’s not a lot of room to tweak the diet, since it’s so rigid.
It is low in fat, because you eat mostly vegetables. But it’s not vegetarian or vegan, since some meat is allowed.
Cost: The only cost is for the ingredients, which you buy yourself.
Some websites promoting the diet say you should take a supplement to make up for the nutrients you’ll be missing from food.
Support: None. You do this diet on your own.
Does It Work?
You’ll lose weight, but only in the short run. This is strictly a lose-weight quick scheme.
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.
Since you’re getting so few calories, the pounds come off quickly, but mostly you’ll lose water weight. And chances are, you’ll gain it all back as soon as you start eating a normal diet again.
Health experts don’t recommend following very low-calorie diets unless you’re under a doctor’s care. A better bet is to aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds each week on a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Is It Good for Certain Conditions?
Because it includes so few carbs, this diet could wreak havoc with any diabetes treatment plan.
Salt is not addressed on the plan, so if you’ve been told to cut back on the sodium, you’ll have to hold back on using the salt shaker and bouillon when making the soup or cooking your food.
Since you’ll likely regain any weight that you lose, the diet won’t have a lasting positive impact on heart disease, cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
The Final Word
Though this diet is fast, cheap, and simple, it’s not easy to stick with. 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.
The drastic weight loss you might experience with The Cabbage Soup Diet can cause health problems and can be dangerous even when it’s done under a doctor’s supervision.
Never start this diet without talking to your doctor first.
If they think you need a very low-calorie diet, they’ll likely show you a much healthier way to go about it.
© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info
Cabbage Soup Diet Review: Ingredients and Effectiveness
Written by Stephanie Watson
Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on September 01, 2022
In this Article
- The Promise
- What You Can Eat
- Level of Effort: Medium
- Does It Allow for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences?
- What Else You Should Know
- What Dr. Melinda Ratini Says:
Fans claim you can drop 10 pounds or more in a week. Some people use it to kick-start their weight loss plan, or to trim a few pounds for a special event.
But before you stock up on cabbage, know that 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.
Just like the name says, the bulk of this diet is fat-free cabbage soup, eaten two to three times a day with other allowed foods assigned each day.
Here’s what you can add:
- Day 1: Fruit, except bananas
- Day 2: Vegetables like leafy greens (not starchy), but no fruit
- Day 3: Fruits and vegetables
- Day 4: Bananas and skim milk
- Day 5: Beef (or baked chicken without the skin) and tomatoes
- Day 6: Beef and vegetables
- Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices, and vegetables
There are different recipes for the soup, which is recommended every day of the diet. They all have similar ingredients, such as tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and bouillon.
Limitations: Your menu options are severely limited on this diet. It gets very boring, very quickly. If you want to try it again, it’s recommended that you wait 2 weeks first.
Cooking and shopping: Get out your soup pot. You will need to make the cabbage soup and cook some of the vegetables recommended in the plan. Your shopping list will be very short for the week.
Packaged foods or meals? No.
In-person meetings? No.
Exercise: The cabbage soup diet doesn’t include exercise, and working out at high levels isn’t a great idea on such a low-calorie diet. Your body just won’t have enough gas in the tank for exercise.
There’s not a lot of room to tweak the diet, since it’s so rigid.
It is low in fat, because you eat mostly vegetables. But it’s not vegetarian or vegan, since some meat is allowed.
Cost: The only cost is for the ingredients, which you buy yourself. Some websites promoting the diet say you should take a supplement to make up for the nutrients you’ll be missing from food.
Support: None. You do this diet on your own.
Does It Work?
You’ll lose weight, but only in the short run. This is strictly a lose-weight quick scheme.
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.
Since you’re getting so few calories, the pounds come off quickly, but mostly you’ll lose water weight.
And chances are, you’ll gain it all back as soon as you start eating a normal diet again.
Health experts don’t recommend following very low-calorie diets unless you’re under a doctor’s care. A better bet is to aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds each week on a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Is It Good for Certain Conditions?
Because it includes so few carbs, this diet could wreak havoc with any diabetes treatment plan.
Salt is not addressed on the plan, so if you’ve been told to cut back on the sodium, you’ll have to hold back on using the salt shaker and bouillon when making the soup or cooking your food.
Since you’ll likely regain any weight that you lose, the diet won’t have a lasting positive impact on heart disease, cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
The Final Word
Though this diet is fast, cheap, and simple, it’s not easy to stick with. 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.
The drastic weight loss you might experience with The Cabbage Soup Diet can cause health problems and can be dangerous even when it’s done under a doctor’s supervision.
Never start this diet without talking to your doctor first. If they think you need a very low-calorie diet, they’ll likely show you a much healthier way to go about it.
© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info
menu for the week, table of products, results and reviews of nutritionists
The essence of the alkaline diet is to increase the consumption of foods that increase the pH balance in the blood and reduce the level of acidity in the body.
— Hyperacidity in the blood is thought to be linked to various diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, heart and vascular disease, so advocates of the alkaline diet claim it can help with treatment and prevention, says nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker.
Benefits of an alkaline diet
Some potential benefits of an alkaline diet:
- Lots of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that boost the immune system and reduce the risk of various diseases.
- Rejection of processed foods. The Alkaline Diet recommends reducing your intake of processed foods, such as junk food and processed foods, which means reducing the amount of harmful additives, sugar, and salt in your diet.
- Reduced inflammation. Some studies have shown that an alkaline diet can help reduce long-term inflammation in the body, which is associated with the risk of developing serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Reducing the risk of developing stones. A large amount of acid-forming foods (meat, fish and dairy products) can lead to the formation of kidney stones. The alkaline diet, in contrast, favors alkaline-forming foods (fruits and vegetables), which reduces the risk of kidney stones.
— However, it is worth noting that many of these potential benefits of an alkaline diet are still not well understood. Therefore, one should not rely on it as the only way to improve health, warns Olga Dekker .
Cons of the Alkaline Diet
Although the alkaline diet has its potential health benefits, it does have its cons and cons.
Cons:
- The need to consume a large amount of vegetables and fruits. This can be expensive and inconvenient for those who live in regions with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Some vegetables and fruits recommended in an alkaline diet may cause allergic reactions.
- Following an alkaline diet can lead to deficiencies in some important nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc and calcium if sufficient attention is not paid to food variety and dosage.
Alkaline diet is contraindicated in people with kidney disease, bladder problems, those taking certain medications that interfere with acid-base balance (diuretics or drugs for diabetes), pregnant women. Also, before starting a diet, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease should discuss the diet with their doctor.
What you can eat
When on an alkaline diet, it is recommended to eat more alkaline foods.
| Fruits | lemons, limes, grapefruits, grapes, figs, watermelons, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, feijoas, papayas, etc. | ||||||||||||
| Vegetables | spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, green peas, celery, green peppers, corn, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, onions, garlic, asparagus, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas, leeks, okra , mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, green onions, etc. | ||||||||||||
| Nuts and seeds | almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, macadamia, coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax, etc. | ||||||||||||
| Legumes | lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas, tofu, etc. | ||||||||||||
| Beverages | water, green tea, natural juices from fruits and vegetables, and some types of dairy products (yogurt and kefir) it is recommended to avoid acidic foods.
In addition to these foods, you should also avoid alcohol and sweets, as they can reduce the level of alkalinity in the body. Alkaline Diet Weekly MenuThe main foods recommended for the alkaline diet include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and some protein groups (such as soy products). At the same time, acidic foods such as meats, dairy products, grains, and candy should be limited. Day 1Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: water-based oatmeal with berries, green tea. Day 2Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: apple, muesli with almond milk. Day 3Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: buckwheat porridge with fruit, tea. Day 4Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: avocado and tomato toast, tea. Day 5Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: fruit yogurt, green tea. Day 6Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: fruit salad, yogurt, green tea. Day 7Photo: Shutterstock Breakfast: omelet with vegetables, green tea. ResultsResults after an alkaline diet may vary depending on the goals and the initial state of the body. However, overall results may include:
– However, it is worth noting that the results may be temporary. For a long-term effect, it is necessary to combine an alkaline diet with a healthy lifestyle, playing sports and giving up bad habits, says nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker. Nutritionists Reviews — As with any other diet, the alkaline diet has its pros and cons. It can be helpful for people who eat few vegetables and fruits, and for those who eat a lot of acid-forming foods. However, do not forget that scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of this diet is not enough, says Olga Dekker. – Also, the alkaline diet may not be suitable for some people, such as those who have kidney problems or are taking certain types of medications. In addition, an excess of alkaline foods in the body can lead to hypercalcemia (an excess of calcium in the blood), which can lead to undesirable health effects. Therefore, before starting an alkaline diet, I would recommend discussing the possibility of following it with a qualified dietitian or doctor. Popular Questions and AnswersPopular questions about the alkaline diet are answered by nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker. What are the complications of an alkaline diet?– Despite some potential benefits, an alkaline diet can lead to a number of complications, especially if it is not balanced and does not meet the needs of the body. Some of the possible complications may include: • A strict alkaline diet may result in deficiencies in essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. In general, if an alkaline diet is not balanced and does not meet the needs of the body, it can lead to serious complications and health problems. Before starting any diet, you should consult your doctor. How often can you go on an alkaline diet?— As with any other diet, it is not recommended to sit on an alkaline diet for too long, otherwise you may run into a lack of important nutrients. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor or dietitian to determine how often and for how long you can go on an alkaline diet based on your individual needs and goals. menu for 7 days, results and feedback from nutritionists The essence of the Favorite Diet is that every day is a fasting day – it is dedicated to a certain type of food. The Favorite diet is quite rigid and low in calories, which can lead to rapid weight loss. However, such weight loss can be associated not only with fat loss, but also with the loss of muscle mass and fluid. Pluses of the diet FavoritePluses of the diet include:
– However, it is important to remember that these benefits are not supported by scientific studies, and this diet may not be effective for people with certain medical conditions and individual needs. Disadvantages of the Favorite dietLike any diet, the Favorite diet has its disadvantages and contraindications. Here are some of them:
Menu for 7 days for the diet Favorite Recall that each day of the diet is dedicated to a certain type of food. Day 1. Drinking Breakfast: fresh vegetable juice; Day 2. Vegetable Breakfast: fresh vegetable salad with herbs, dressed with lemon juice; Day 3 . Drinking Breakfast: a glass of fermented baked milk, tea without sugar; Day 4. Fruit Breakfast: 2 apples, tea; Day 5. Protein Breakfast: 2 egg omelet with vegetables; Day 6. Drinking Breakfast: a glass of fermented baked milk; Day 7. Mixed Breakfast: oatmeal on the water with berries, green tea; ResultsOn the Favorite diet, you can lose up to 7 kg per week. According to the proponents of the diet, the most difficult is the first day, when there is a sharp change in the diet and solid food to liquid. Despite the variety of products, the Lyubimaya diet is rigid and low in calories. You can follow it only after consulting a doctor. To maintain the results, after the Favorite Diet, you need to follow a balanced diet for at least a couple of weeks, and preferably a month. You can not eat fatty, starchy foods, sometimes you should arrange fasting dinners or lunches from liquid vegetable soups or salads. In order not to have to go on a diet, slightly reduce the total caloric content of the diet and add feasible physical activity. Nutritionist Reviews— Dieting can lead to rapid weight loss, but not primarily from fat, but from muscle mass and fluid. Such a diet does not provide enough of all essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, reduced immunity, fatigue, and other health problems. Before starting any diet, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that it is safe and suitable for your health and condition, says nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker. Popular Questions and AnswersPopular questions about Favorite Diet are answered by nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker. What complications can occur with the Favorite Diet?– Like any other diet that restricts calories and certain food groups, the Favorite diet can cause some unpleasant consequences, especially if followed for a long time: • Loss of muscle mass. |
Therefore, before following such a diet, you need to discuss it with your doctor or nutritionist.
Before starting any diet, you should consult with a doctor or nutritionist, says nutritionist, member of the National Society of Dietitians Olga Dekker. 
It is required to exclude from the diet flour, fried, spicy, sweet, and also to refrain from alcohol.
