The cabbage soup diet - still, after all these years

2006-08-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

The cabbage soup diet is a quick weight loss plan that has been around for at least 14 years - long before the popularity of the Internet. This shows that the cabbage soup diet works, at least temporarily.

(I actually used this diet, or one of it's many variations, to lose a few pounds about 14 years ago, so I know it's been around at least that long. And yes, the weight came right back on.)

For a quick jump-start, or to just lose a little bit of water weight so you can fit into that dress for the class reunion, the cabbage soup diet might not be so bad - but it's important to remember that no one takes responsibility for having created the cabbage soup diet, and no one who passes it on will recommend staying on it for more than a week or two

The Cabbage Soup Diet - Revisited
A nutritionist has updated the old stand-by diet and made it better.

There's actually a very popular e-book built around the cabbage soup diet, but which follows up the first restrictive week with a practical, healthy weight loss program. You can see it by clicking here.

The controversy surrounding the popular high-protein, low carbohydrate diets similar to the Atkins diet plan may be contributing to the renewed interest in the cabbage soup diet - but this diet has it's own risks.

The problem is not in nutrition, because the soup itself probably has more nutrition than most American meals. And it doesn't cause the toxicity that makes the Atkins diet plan dangerous for so many people. But this is an extremely low calorie diet - actually a starvation plan. That's why no one can stay on it for long.

On the cabbage soup diet you are supposed to be able to eat as much cabbage soup as you want, and are required to eat it at every lunch and dinner for a week. There are a few other things, like baked potatoes and bananas, that are eaten at a specific schedule.

I tried the soup recently, just to see what it would be like. The first day I loved it, because this really is good soup. The cabbage soup has all the flavor you could want, and I actually recommend it as a recipe that will be enjoyed by your family (in moderation). As an occasional meal, it's really good for you.

I made a huge pot, following the directions below. There was lots left over to eat throughout the week.

The second day I was less enthusiastic, and on the third day I was unable to eat the soup at all. The high amount of sulfur in the cabbage created some intestinal disturbances that we don't need to discuss. (The cabbage soup diet book I mentioned has tips on reducing the intestinal discomfort you get from eating the cabbage. This vegetable is known to be a great intestinal cleanser, but it can also cause uncomfortable gas.)

The rest of the diet consists of potatoes, other vegetables, and bananas, eaten on alternate days.

Lose Weight Ebook

The cabbage soup diet - still, after all these years