The cabbage soup diet has long been one of the best solutions to achieving rapid weight loss. Although it has been changed and adapted across cultures worldwide, the basic premise remains the same. The cabbage soup diet is a low-calorie meal plan where dieters are required to eat or drink cabbage soup 2 to 3 times a day. This diet usually yields outstanding weight loss results. However, with its benefits also comes a set of disadvantages.
How Does The Cabbage Soup Diet Work?
The driving mechanism behind weight loss in this diet is low calories. Cabbage, in particular, has extremely low caloric content. In fact, a cup of cabbage can contain as little as 33 calories when cooked. By substituting your meals with cabbage soup, you can drastically reduce your intake and consequently lose weight. This diet is a 7-day meal plan and is not intended for extended use.
What Can You Eat On A Cabbage Soup Diet?
The meal plan is not restricted to cabbage soup only. Dieters can use other vegetables and bouillon as ingredients for soup. You are also allowed to eat plenty of fruit except bananas. Meats are permitted as long as the quantity does not exceed 20 ounces, and you can enjoy a range of unsweetened beverages like tea, cranberry juice, black coffee and water.
What Can You Not Eat On A Cabbage Soup Diet?
Potatoes and bananas are strictly prohibited. The same is true for alcohol and carbonated drinks. Even diet versions of sodas are not allowed. Bread is also off the menu, as well as peas, dry beans and sweet corn.
Pros of Cabbage Soup Diet
The most obvious benefit of this diet is fast weight loss. Many dieters reported losing 10 pounds in a week on average. This can serve as a great motivator before starting a fitness program, or if you need to lose a few pounds for an occasion. Another advantage of the cabbage soup diet is affordability. The only thing you have to buy is plenty of cabbage, vegetables and a little meat if you prefer. Soup is easy to make and can be seasoned with spices and herbs for flavor.
Cons of Cabbage Soup Diet
This diet does not contain enough nutrients. It is very common for dieters to experience constant hunger, fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches. These symptoms can be too difficult to tolerate for 7 days. It can also affect your performance and effectiveness at work and with daily tasks. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to gain back the weight loss after the diet is over. It is possible, however, to maintain the loss if you begin a vigorous fitness program immediately after. Another serious drawback of the meal plan is that it can cause complications for those with certain illnesses and conditions. Those suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems and more can experience deterioration in health. The cabbage soup diet is effective for weight loss, but it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you are planning to start this meal plan, you have to consider all the possible symptoms first. Effective and affordable, it is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to shed pounds. However, it can also be physically challenging and dangerous to your health.
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