Leena Watts
The 7-day cabbage soup diet is a short-term, weight-loss eating plan that involves eating large amounts of cabbage soup. The diet has been around for many years, with some guessing it dates back to the 1950s. It is an ultra-restrictive diet, with dieters consuming only around 1,000 calories per day, which is significantly below the recommended daily intake. In addition to the soup, dieters are allowed to eat 1-2 other low-calorie foods each day, such as fruit, vegetables, or skim milk. The diet is said to promote rapid weight loss, with some claiming that it can lead to a weight loss of up to 10 pounds in just 7 days. However, it is not recommended as a long-term solution, as the weight loss is mostly water weight and is unlikely to be sustained.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 days |
| Calories | Very low-calorie diet |
| Effectiveness | Likely to lead to short-term weight loss, but not sustainable weight loss |
| Food | Cabbage soup, fruit, vegetables, beef, chicken, fish, brown rice, skim milk, potatoes, beans, tomatoes |
| Beverages | Water, unsweetened tea, detox tea |
| Vitamins | May need to take a daily multivitamin |
| Exercise | Not recommended |
| Side effects | Weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headaches, bloating, gas |
| Drawbacks | Unlikely to lead to sustainable weight loss, highly restrictive, unpleasant side effects |
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What You'll Learn
Day 1: Unlimited cabbage soup and fruit (no bananas)
Day 1 of the 7-day cabbage soup diet involves eating unlimited cabbage soup and fruit, except bananas. It is recommended to stick with fruits with lower sugar content, like apples and blueberries. A sample menu for Day 1 could include baked cinnamon apples for breakfast, a large fruit salad and cabbage soup for lunch, followed by cabbage soup and a melon salad for dinner. Frozen pineapples and grapes, as well as blended watermelon, can be used to make refreshing, natural slushies.
The cabbage soup diet is a rapid weight loss diet, often used to jump-start a long-term diet plan. It involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for a week, along with 1-2 additional low-calorie foods, such as fruit, vegetables, or skim milk. The diet is very low in calories and may result in short-term weight loss, but it is unlikely to lead to sustainable weight loss.
The cabbage soup itself can be made in a stovetop or slow cooker. A basic recipe includes sliced scallions, chopped green bell peppers, canned diced tomatoes, sliced celery, chopped cabbage, dry onion soup mix, bouillon cubes, and tomato-based vegetable juice. The soup is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, curry powder, parsley, garlic powder, or paprika.
It is important to note that the cabbage soup diet is very restrictive and may result in side effects such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and headaches. It should not be continued for more than 7 days at a time and is not recommended for those with high energy requirements or those who regularly exercise.
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Day 2: Soup, vegetables, and a baked potato
On Day 2 of the 7-day cabbage soup diet, you can eat soup and vegetables, with a focus on raw or cooked leafy greens. You should avoid peas, corn, and beans. You can also have one baked potato with butter or oil.
The day starts with a baked potato (russet or sweet). You can dice your sweet potato into cubes, sprinkle with a little olive oil and cinnamon, and roast it in the oven with some bell peppers and onions. For lunch, you can have cabbage soup, and a salad sprinkled with salt, pepper, and olive oil. For dinner, try rice cauliflower topped with a stir fry of zucchini, roasted carrots, and bell peppers with light soy sauce. You can also snack on baked spinach chips.
The cabbage soup is made with chicken or vegetable broth, seasoned canned tomatoes, salt, pepper, herbs, seasonings, olive oil, and a tad of butter. You can also add beans, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, carrots, and beef broth or condensed French onion soup.
The cabbage soup diet is a rapid weight loss diet. It is a short-term plan that involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for a week, along with 1–2 additional foods such as fruit, vegetables, or skim milk. It is not recommended as a long-term diet but as a means to jump-start a longer-term plan.
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Day 3: Fruit, vegetables, and soup
Day 3 of the 7-day cabbage soup diet is all about combining fruits and vegetables with your unlimited cabbage soup. You can eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want throughout the day, but it's important to avoid baked potatoes and bananas.
The cabbage soup itself can be made in large batches and eaten throughout the day. It is typically prepared with cabbage, celery, scallions, green bell peppers, canned tomatoes, and vegetable juice or broth. You can also add spices and seasonings like kosher salt, curry powder, freshly ground black pepper, parsley, garlic powder, or paprika to enhance the flavour.
On Day 3, you can enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables of your choice. It's recommended to stick with fruits that have lower sugar content, such as apples or blueberries. For vegetables, leafy greens are a great option, but it's important to avoid peas, corn, and beans. Zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, and carrots are also tasty and nutritious choices.
Remember, the cabbage soup diet is a very low-calorie diet, and you may experience side effects such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and headaches. It is not recommended to continue the diet for more than 7 days, and it should not be combined with any exercise routines. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider taking a daily multivitamin to compensate for the lack of specific nutrients in this diet.
The cabbage soup diet is designed for rapid weight loss, but keep in mind that it may not lead to sustainable long-term results. It is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive diet plan.
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Day 4: Soup, skim milk, and bananas
On day four of the seven-day cabbage soup diet, you can eat unlimited bananas, skim milk, and cabbage soup. The cabbage soup diet is a very low-calorie diet that involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for a week. You can also eat one to two additional foods, such as fruit, vegetables, or skim milk, depending on the variation you choose to follow.
The diet is designed to be an ultra-restrictive seven-day diet that has been around for many years. It is meant to jump-start a longer-term diet plan. It is often referred to as a "short-term, weight-loss eating plan" that involves eating lots of cabbage soup. The soup is typically made with vegetables, such as cabbage, celery, and tomatoes, and seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.
On day four, you can eat as many bananas as you like. Bananas are a good source of potassium, fibre, and carbohydrates. They can help to improve digestion and provide sustained energy throughout the day. Skim milk is also allowed on day four. Skim milk is lower in fat than whole milk and can be a good source of protein and calcium.
In addition to the bananas and skim milk, you can continue to eat as much cabbage soup as you like on day four. The cabbage soup is meant to help fill you up and provide some essential nutrients while keeping your calorie intake very low. It is important to note that the cabbage soup diet is very restrictive and may cause side effects such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and headaches. It is not recommended to continue the diet for more than seven days at a time and it should not be used as a long-term weight loss solution.
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Day 5: Soup, beef/chicken, and tomatoes
Day 5 of the 7-day cabbage soup diet involves eating soup, beef/chicken, and tomatoes. This is in addition to the unlimited cabbage soup that is a staple of the diet. You can eat 10-20 ounces (280-567 grams) of beef, which you may substitute for chicken or fish. You can also have up to six fresh tomatoes. It is recommended that you drink at least 6-8 glasses of water.
The cabbage soup diet is a very low-calorie diet, which is likely to result in short-term weight loss. It is often used to jump-start a long-term diet plan. The diet involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for 1 week, along with 1-2 additional low-calorie foods, such as fruit, vegetables, or skim milk. It is important to note that the cabbage soup diet is very restrictive, and a dieter may suffer from weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and headaches. It should not be continued for more than 7 days at a time and is not recommended as a long-term diet.
The cabbage soup itself is made with a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, celery, and tomatoes, and is typically cooked on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It can be seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices to enhance the flavor.
While the cabbage soup diet may lead to short-term weight loss, it is not a sustainable solution. Most of the weight lost during the diet is likely to return once the diet is stopped. Additionally, due to the limited food choices, it can be challenging to consume enough calories to maintain your body weight.
It is always recommended to consult with a doctor or dietitian before starting any restrictive diet, such as the cabbage soup diet, to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The 7-day cabbage soup diet is an ultra-restrictive diet that involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for 1 week. The diet is designed to be very low in calories and fat and high in fiber.
You're allowed 1–2 additional low-calorie foods each day, such as fruit, vegetables, skim milk, beef, chicken, or fish. Bread, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, including diet sodas, are not allowed.
You can eat as much cabbage soup as you like throughout the week. The average person consumes between two and three bowls per day.
The diet is designed for rapid weight loss and can be used to jump-start a longer-term diet plan. It includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories and high in fiber.
Yes, due to the highly restrictive nature of the diet, you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headaches, bloating, and gas. The diet may also lead to malnutrition if continued beyond the recommended 7 days. It is not recommended to exercise while on this diet due to the low-calorie intake.
