The Cabbage Soup Diet is a seven-day crash diet plan claiming to contain fat burning ingredients that speed up weight loss. Advertised as an effective way to lose 10 to 15 pounds during one week, the diet is not backed by any medical or scientific research. The fad diet is extremely low in calories and lacks nutrients necessary for healthy functioning of the body.
The Soup
The diet requires participants to make a cabbage-based soup that is a mixture of bouillon, broth, cabbage, onions and tomatoes. Dieters are required to eat the soup every day that they are on the diet and are encouraged to eat as many servings as they want throughout the day. The ingredients in the soup are very low-calorie and contain no fat; the soup is not high in nutritional value.
Additional Foods
Throughout the week, dieters are allowed to eat other foods. On the first day, dieters are allowed to eat as much fruit (excluding bananas) as they want and can drink cranberry juice. Day two prohibits fruit, but allows all vegetables except for beans, sweet corn and peas. Essentially, the day allows any extremely low-calorie and low-carbohydrate vegetables. The restricted foods are high in fiber and carbohydrates, and contain more calories (as well as additional nutrients). Later in the week, participants are allowed to eat up to eight bananas one day, six tomatoes on another and three steaks on another. Unsweetened tea, coffee and water area allowed on the diet. Dieters are allowed a baked potato with butter on day two and brown rice on the last day.
Pros
The diet does not require many foods and is inexpensive. The food preparation is minimal and requires very little cooking. The soup can be made ahead of time. The diet does include fruits and vegetables, although it does not meet the daily requirements for each.
Cons
The diet is very low-calorie and does not provide the necessary nutrients for general health and well-being. The diet lacks significant amounts of protein; the first three days contain barely any protein, which is essential to muscle health. The diet does not provide a lot of variety; dieters are required to eat cabbage soup every day for a week. The last day of the diet is the only time participants are allowed to eat whole grains, which are essential sources of energy for the body. Fad diets, such as the Cabbage Soup Diet, contribute to the slowing down of metabolism and may contribute to future weight gain. The quick, high weight loss that occurs on the diet is mostly water weight and body weight will return to normal after resuming regular eating patterns.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor before going on a diet. She will be able to provide medical advice on reasonable weight loss goals and what program will best benefit you and your health.
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