Though the origins of the cabbage soup diet aren't clear, its claims of fast weight loss centered around a meal plan of cabbage soup piques curiosity in some weight-loss seekers. The cabbage soup diet is not recommended by any medical establishment and you should consult your doctor before starting any weight loss plan.
Background
Many institutions have been linked to the cabbage soup diet, including the American Heart Association, The Mayo Clinic and The Sacred Heart Hospital, but none of these associations is true. No one knows who developed the original cabbage soup diet or its rules and the soup recipe, but it did not originate and is not supported by any medical institution. There are no scientific studies about the effectiveness of this diet.
Basics
The cabbage soup recipe usually includes cabbage, water, onions, red and green pepper, green onions, tomatoes, celery and seasoning. There are a many variations of the recipe circulating in books and on the internet. "The New Cabbage Soup Diet," outlines the seven days of the program, with cabbage soup being the mainstay of the diet each day, in unlimited quantities. In addition, drink unlimited amounts of water, unsweetened tea, cranberry juice or coffee on any day of the diet.
On day one, eat unlimited cabbage soup and unlimited fruit. Day two means unlimited cabbage soup, unlimited vegetables and a baked potato with butter. Eat unlimited cabbage soup and unlimited fruit and vegetables on day three; day four requires three to six bananas and up to eight glasses of skim milk and unlimited cabbage soup. Day four brings unlimited cabbage soup, 10 to 20 oz of lean protein and a 28-oz can of tomatoes for day five. Unlimited cabbage soup, unlimited lean beef and vegetables should be served on day six; and, finally, unlimited cabbage soup, brown rice and vegetables on day seven.
Purported Benefits
The diet is centered around vegetables, mainly cabbage, so its health benefits supposedly lie in the many nutrients found in vegetables. Cabbage contains a good dose of vitamin c, potassium and fiber. The other vegetables in the soup contain additional nutrients, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin A, and are rich in antioxidant properties. "The New Cabbage Diet" claims it's a healthy diet because it contains healthy ingredients, even if its not a balanced meal plan. It also cites quick weight loss as a benefit for first-time and chronic dieters alike who often need to see results quickly. Since the cabbage soup diet is "healthy" by its claims, its a good way to quickly lose weight initially. "The New Cabbage Soup Diet," does not advocate continuing on the diet past seven days, but to move to a recommended maintenance plan with a more balanced diet after the initial seven days.
Considerations
The American Heart Association advocates lifestyle changes with balanced and healthy eating plans, not diets. It states that diets that endorse quick weight loss ultimately leave dieters disappointed when the weight returns quickly. A diet centered around one food is also monotonous and unbalanced. The AHA doesn't advocate the cabbage soup diet because it doesn't offer food from different food groups, a cause of nutritional imbalance and deficiencies. The cabbage soup diet can cause gas and abdominal pain, says the AHA. Children, adolescents, diabetics and those with other medical conditions should not consider the cabbage soup diet, cautions "The New Cabbage Soup Diet"; it's recommended for adults who are generally healthy.
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