Crash diets for weight loss are fad diets. But they are popular amongst people.
This is especially so after celebrities endorse them. Cabbage soup diet is one such fad diet to slim down.
What is Cabbage soup diet?
Cabbage soup diet is designed for losing weight fast and in bulk. It is a crash diet. But like all other crash diets, it has its own risks. The diet is associated with some unpleasant side effects.
It is a temporary process to lose weight. And only people who like cabbages and soups can follow it. In this diet, the dieter only consumes cabbage soup throughout the day.
Cabbage soup (Source: All recipes)It is a low fat and high fiber diet. The slimmer consumes this for 7 days in total. But certain other foodstuffs are also allowed.
These include tomatoes, potatoes, some meat of the lean type and also tea, coffee and such hot beverages but without refined sugar or sweeteners. One can snack on fruits but not bananas. Alcohol is also prohibited.
The exact plan
On Day 1, the dieter can consume fruits as much as he or she wants. But no bananas. Water, cabbage soup and unsweetened tea or coffee ad lib.
On Day 2: no fruits allowed. Only raw veggies with cabbage soup. One baked potato in the evening.
On Day 3, have as much cabbage soup with fruits and vegetables. But no potatoes and bananas.
On Day 4, Unlimited cabbage soup with some skimmed milk is allowed. One can have 8 bananas on this day.
On Day 5, cabbage soup unlimited with 6 tomatoes and 565 grams beef. Ensure drinking 6-8 glasses of water.
On Day 6, unlimited cabbage soup, with beef and vegetables. But no potatoes.
Cabbage soup (Source: Easy and delish)And on Day 7, Unlimited cabbage soup, with a little brown rice and sugar-free fruit juice.
Cabbage soup has no calories. Consuming it fills the stomach and produces weight loss.
Risks of this diet
This is a low calories crash diet. It carries its own risks. It is unbalanced. Weight loss might occur but the person will regain weight after this diet. If one attempts it, it must be done under the supervision of a medical expert. But nutritionists and diet experts do not recommend this diet for weight loss. Dietitian Mina Khan opines:
“Cabbage is a great source of fibre and it’s essential for gut flora and bowel health,”
She continues:
“However, it should be eaten as part of a balanced diet. This is not a diet I would recommend anyone to follow.”
Ingredients for Cabbage soup (Source: The Spruce eats)Further Mina explains:
“The soup doesn’t only contain cabbage. Many recipes include green peppers, onions, mushrooms and other vegetables.”
“As well as cabbage soup, the diet allows you to start incorporating different fruits and vegetables in the first few days, and slowly reintroduces lean meats, dairy and rice towards the end of the 7 day program.”
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Weight loss with this diet can be as much as 4.5 kg in a week. But this single food diet can cause nausea, headaches, concentration problems, flatulence, bloating etc. Mina warns:
“However it’s crucial to bear in mind that this diet is not a sustainable way to lose weight in the long run. It will likely result in you regaining the weight you lose once you stop restricting your intake of normal foods.”
She adds:
“Try to make healthy diet and lifestyle changes you can keep, even after you have reached your desired weight, so you do not regain the weight you have lost.”