You may have heard of the Cabbage Soup diet before, it’s been around since the 1980′s. The idea is to to use this strict meal plan with cabbage soup as the center of all of your meals for 7 days and you will lose 10 pounds in that week.
An example of the 7 days meal plans:
Day 1: Fruit; any fruit (no banana’s), cabbage soup, fat burner drink, healthy protein shake, and lemon water or herbal water. Day 2: Vegetable; vegetables,cabbage soup, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, baked potato, lemon water or vegetable juice Day 3: Vegetables and Fruits; cabbage soup, fruit, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juices. Day 4: Bananas; banana, cabbage soup, dairy (low fat), healthy protein shake, lemon or herbal water. Day 5: Tomatoes and Fish: fish or chicken with tomatoes, cabbage soup, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon or herbal water. Day 6: Poultry; poultry or fish, cabbage soup, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juices. Day 7: Rice; mushroom risotto, cabbage soup, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juice
Notes that there is no limit for the consumption of cabbage soup at any day, the dieter can eat as much as he wants. On day three, five, six, and seven, there are no limits for fruit, vegetables, fish, and poultry consumption. The recipes of the soup itself usually consist of cabbage, carrots, peppers, onions, and tomatoes with preferred seasonings. The program also forbid alcohol, bread, and carbonated beverages.
The cabbage soup diet is a little misleading in that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that cabbage burns any more fat than any other type of vegetable. The reality is that people lose weight because of the excessively low calorie intake which is between 800-1,000. The diet would probably produce the same results with many other varieties of vegetable soup.
Pros
1. Fast weight loss; the dieter can expect to lose 10 to 15 pounds at the end of the program.
2. Doesn’t cost much; all the ingredients for this diet are easily found and inexpensive to buy.
3. Simple; no exercise or any other behavior changes are suggested, it’s only the 7 days meal plan.
4. You will eat more fruits and vegetables.
Cons
1. The extremely low daily calorie of this diet is not a healthy way to lose weight. There is a very small percentage of protein in the diet plan which can actually hurt you due to the lack of proper nutrition. Most people should get at least 1200 calories a day, unless specifically told otherwise by their doctor.
2. The diet is quite bland and boring and many people may choose not to eat it after a few days which would make there caloric intake even lower.
3. The cabbage soup recipes usually contain high levels of sodium or MSG (Monosodium Glutamate).
4. Many believe that the majority of weight loss achieved with this diet plan isn’t fat loss but water weight loss which will be gained back as soon as the dieter returns to their normal eating habits.
5. The common cabbage soup recipes usually result in bland soup and some dieters have report to feeling nauseous whenever they smell the soup after finish the 1 week program.
6. Possibly cause frequently fart.
7. Not easy to stick with the diet at a restaurant.
From the facts, it is obvious that this diet has many drawbacks and not recommended; many experts will suggest a traditional long term healthy diet. But it is also true that fast weight loss is really tempting and many will still try it. If you do plan to try this diet program, here are a few things to consider:
1. No kids or teenagers! This diet is for adults only.
2. Only go on this diet a week at a time, do not try to prolong it.
3. If any health problem occurs, consult your doctor immediately.
4. Motivate yourself by remembering it’s only 7 days and at the end of that time you could be down 10 pounds or more.
5. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 5 glasses of water every day.
6. Use spices and seasonings to liven up your meals and help prevent boredom.
7. Even if you dont like it, force yourself to eat plenty of soup. This diet is already low in calories and you dont want to starve yourself due to your dislike to cabbage soup.
8. Plan on staying home during your diet. The low calorie amount might make you feel weak, and you don’t want to have gas while out in public. If you absolutely have to go out, try to take some soup with you.
9. Take some vitamin and mineral supplements to help you get all the nutrients you need.
10. Make a journal to keep track your weight loss from day 1.
11. Keep track of what you’re supposed to be eating everyday, write it down on a chart if you have to.
12. Before you start your diet, make sure you have all the ingredients you need for the diet plan.
13. Don’t skip your protein shakes. It’s important to maintain your protein levels throughout the diet.
The bottom line is keeping yourself healthy and stay focused during the entire process, you will gain significant weight loss at the end of the program.
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