Cabbage Soup Diet

Whether referred to as the Cabbage Soup Diet, Sacred Heart Diet, Military Cabbage Soup, or the T J Miracle Soup Diet, the Cabbage Soup Diet has been gaining much recognition for the past thirty years. Known for its radical weight loss (followers can expect to lose at least 10 pounds or 4-5 kilos in one week), the diet is used by those who are seeking a way to lose weight quickly.

Interestingly, no person or organization seems to want to claim responsibility for inventing the cabbage soup diet! So there isn't an "official" version, but various cabbage diet plans based around eating copious quantities of cabbage soup, and very little else.

It should be stated that it is recommended to follow the plan for one week at a time, due to the fact that it is hard on the digestive system which is a part of the diet's success in quick weight loss. It is also recommended that you wait at least two weeks before going on the diet again.

What is the Cabbage Soup Diet?

This low-fat, high-fiber diet promises loss of up to 10 pounds or 4-5 kilos in one week. It is not suitable for long-term weight loss and should be followed for only seven days. The recipe for the namesake cabbage soup includes a variety of vegetables as well as cabbage. The idea is to eat as much cabbage soup as you like every day, enough to keep you full up (so you don't cheat) plus specific additional foods on each day of the seven day diet. No alcohol is allowed and other drinks are limited to water, and unsweetened fruit juice on days when fruit is allowed. Here is how it goes:

• Day 1: Cabbage soup plus as much fruit as you like, excluding bananas. You can drink unsweetened tea, black coffee, cranberry juice, or water.
• Day 2: Cabbage soup plus vegetables including one baked potato with a little butter. Eat low-calorie vegetables (except beans, peas or corn).
• Day 3: Cabbage soup plus fruit and vegetables excluding potatoes and bananas.
• Day 4: Cabbage soup plus up to eight bananas and as much skimmed milk as you like. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.
• Day 5: Cabbage soup plus up to 20 ounces of chicken, beef or fish and up to six tomatoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Vegetarians can replace meat with any protein source like tofu.
• Day 6: Cabbage soup plus as much chicken or beef and vegetables (excluding potatoes) as you like. Vegetarians can replace meat with any protein source like tofu.
• Day 7: Cabbage soup plus brown rice, vegetables (excluding potatoes) and unsweetened fruit juice.

How do I make Cabbage soup?

The cabbage soup is a fairly simple recipe. The main ingredient consists of cabbage, carrots, onions, peppers, tomatoes, celery (ajmud) and sometimes canned vegetable juice. Herbs and spices are optional, in order to make the soup suite to your personal taste, dieters are encourage to experiment with different spices and herbs.

What are the Advantages?

The Advantages of Cabbage Soup diet are:

• Plenty of fruits and vegetables are consumed with the Cabbage Soup Diet.
• Users are encouraged to drink ample amounts of water, which is good for the body.
• There are no prescription drugs involved with this diet.
• Fast weight loss.
• The change from some of our normally junky eating habits can be beneficial.
• Vegetables from the Brassica family (such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) have been found to aid in preventing cancer.
• Many say they enjoy eating the soup.

What are the Disadvantages?

The Disadvantages of Cabbage Soup diet are:

• Real clinical data is not provided to support the Cabbage Soup Diet.
• This is not a long-term weight loss plan, but rather only intended for one week.
• There are no exercise regimens recommended with the Cabbage Soup Diet.
• Some complain that the Cabbage Soup is a little too bland.
• Be prepared for gas.
• Requires will power.
• Lacks good nutrition.
• High in salt.

The cabbage soup diet is designed for quick weight loss. While a dieter may find they lose weight on the diet over the short term, they are not changing any of the behaviors that lead them to become overweight in the first place. As a result, any weight lost will likely be gained back when a person returns to their previous eating habits.

Overall, the Cabbage Soup Diet is rather unique in its approach to weight reduction. It's nice that anyone can give this method a shot and no special pills are involved. Then again, you should keep in mind that the foods consumed during this brief diet routine are very specific. Therefore, if you cannot stick to the exact cuisine, the weight loss plan may fail.