The cabbage soup diet has a loyal following among those who want to lose weight quickly on a low fat diet. This plan, which has unknown origins, allows the dieter to eat as much of the specially prepared soup as desired. In addition, on certain days the diet can be supplemented with specified food items. The cabbage diet lasts for 7 days, after which time the dieter may return to a normal diet or repeat the 7-day process for further weight loss. Research conducted by Pennsylvania State University's Nutrition Department in 2007 indicates that the human body may process the water content in soups as it would a solid food, making the dieter feel fuller after eating.
Prepare Plenty
Making enough of the cabbage soup recipe to last 2 or 3 days may encourage you to fill up on the soup instead of reaching for foods not on the diet. The basic recipe includes 6 large onions, 2 green peppers, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 1 bunch of celery, 1 package of dry onion soup, 1 small head of shredded cabbage, 48-oz. can of vegetable juice and seasonings to taste. One recipe makes approximately 12 cups of soup but you can double or triple the batch and freeze individual 2-cup servings for ease of preparation during the week-long diet.
Add the Extras
The cabbage soup may seem a little skimpy to those used to dining on double cheeseburgers. After a couple of days, it may be difficult to look at another bowl of soup, but eat the soup every day and make sure you have enough additional diet items on hand.
On Day 1, you may add any fruits, except bananas. Day 2, add one baked potato with butter and eat other vegetables of choice. Day 3, add fruits and vegetables, but not potatoes or bananas. Day 4, drink fat-free milk to your heart's content and eat up to six bananas. Day 5, add up to six tomatoes and one serving of lean meat. Day 6, add one serving of meat and vegetables. Day 7, drink natural fruit juice, eat vegetables and a serving of brown rice.
By eating soup before you eat the extras, you may eat fewer additional calories if the Pennsylvania studies are correct. Their tests concluded that the additional water content in soup filled up their test subjects, making them less hungry for more food.
Beat the Diet Busters
Cabbage soup dieters may suffer from menu boredom that could lead to snacking. Go for a brisk walk or schedule an aerobics class. Stay busy to keep your mind off food cravings.
Keep plenty of fresh water on hand and sip it throughout the day. In addition, this diet may produce abdominal gas in some dieters so you may be more successful if you plan to do the diet when you have 7 days away from the office.
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