The Cabbage Soup Diet was first introduced as the Sacred Heart Diet. Many people believe the Sacred Heart Diet was developed to assist overweight hospitalized cardiac patients to lose weight rapidly before undergoing cardiac surgery. However, according to "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies," this is nothing more than an urban legend created to give credence to a fad diet.
Diet Guidelines
The Cabbage Soup Diet lasts seven days. In addition to as much cabbage soup you desire, you are supposed to eat a different set of foods on each day of the diet. Any fruit, except bananas, is permitted on the first day of the diet. On the second day, vegetables are allowed throughout the day and a baked potato with butter is required to accompany dinner. All fruits and vegetables can be eaten on the third day. On the fourth day up to six bananas and skim milk are permitted. The fifth day consists of unlimited tomatoes and up to 1 lb. of meat or fish. Beef and vegetables are the meal plan on the sixth day. The seventh day includes brown rice, vegetables and fruit juice.
The Cabbage Soup
The cabbage soup contains only low-calorie ingredients, including cabbage, onions, celery, tomatoes, peppers, tomato juice, bouillon and spices. Cabbage soup is the staple of the diet because of its low calories. The diet allows as much cabbage soup throughout the diet as desired, because the soup is so low in calories.
Considerations
Adhering to the Cabbage Soup Diet will result in rapid weight loss. However, those who partake in diets that drastically limit calories and food choices are prone to regaining more weight than they lost on the diet. The Cabbage Soup Diet only lasts one week, after which time dieters often revert back to their old eating habits which got them overweight in the first place.
Alternatives
Focus on living a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and balanced meals. A gradual weight loss of 1 lb. to 2 lbs. per week allows you to adapt to a new way of eating and thinking about food. By building a healthy relationship with food and regularly exercising, you increase your likelihood of keeping the weight off. Consult a dietitian if you find yourself struggling to build healthy, balanced meals.
References
- EveryDiet: Cabbage Soup Diet
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw, et al.; 2007
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