What is the Cabbage Soup Diet?

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a weight loss program designed around heavy consumption of a low-calorie soup over the course of seven days. However, it is important to note that this is not intended as a long-term regimen.

Seen by many as a “fad diet,” this plan promises to slim you down by 10 pounds in just one week. How is that done? With the combination of low-fat, low-calorie cabbage soup, as much as you want each day, interesting food combinations, plenty of water, no sugar beverages and absolutely no alcohol.

Though the origins of this ‘fad’ are unknown, many have claimed that the diet was designed for obese heart-surgery patients who needed to lose weight quickly before surgery to reduce complication risk during their procedure.

Dieters may see this plan as a great way to “kick-start” a healthy lifestyle or to lose weight quickly before a big event or vacation, but there are some possible set-backs to keep in mind. Some may find that the soup is bland. Others have reported feeling light-headed, weak, and have suffered from decreased concentration. And remember, cabbage and some of the vegetables in the soup may give you excessive gas and abdominal pain.
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Making the mix – The Cabbage Soup Recipe

• 6 large green onions
• 2 green peppers
• 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
• 3 Carrots
• 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
• 1 bunch of celery
• Half a head of cabbage
• 1 package Lipton soup mix
• 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
• 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)

Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.

Directions:

Slice green onions, put in a pot and start to sauté with cooking spray.

Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot.

Take the outer leaf layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, cut into bite size pieces, and add to pot.

Slice mushrooms into thick slices, add to pot.

If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubes for seasoning. These have all the salt and flavors you will need.

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup cook for a long time – two hours works well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Creative Creations: Do not add the seasonings until you are ready to eat the soup, that way you can create a different taste each time you eat your soup. Try crushed red pepper, garlic, chili powder, curry, or cumin for a different flavor.

Day 1 – Menu:

Fruit Day!

Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas) and your soup. Drink only unsweetened teas, cranberry juice, or black coffee. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Make a fruit salad with some tropical fruit like pineapple, mango, melon, etc. One large bowl could be a meal!

Cut up your fruit before hand to help you organize your day and to snack on when you are hungry.

Try fruits you normally don’t have everyday to keep your diet interesting.

Click here to see all 5 days of the Cabbage Soup Diet