Basically it is a very low calorie diet. The cabbage soup diet works to decrease the calories to a minimum. It is used for fast weight loss before an event that requires a slim figure. It should not be followed more than a week.
The weight loss plan during the cabbage soup diet:
The menu is very strict. The basic idea is to eat as much cabbage soup so you will not be hungry. Additionally, every day, you may eat a certain food. Alcohol is prohibited and other drinks are limited to water and unsweetened fruit juice only in the days when fruit is allowed.
- Day 1: Cabbage soup and as many fruits as you want but no bananas
- Day 2: Cabbage soup and vegetables
- Day 3: Cabbage soup fruits and vegetables, but no potatoes and bananas
- Day 4: Cabbage soup, up to 8 bananas and as much skimmed milk as you want
- Day 5: Cabbage soup, 7 oz of beef and 6 tomatoes
- Day 6: Cabbage soup, vegetables and beef
- Day 7: Cabbage soup plus rice and vegetables, but no potatoes
Does the cabbage soup diet work?
It does work but only short term. Unfortunately, the weight you lose is water and muscle tissue. The foods that are allowed force your body to the limit of starvation, which can have undesirable effects after its conclusion: it slows the metabolism and encourages the body to protect itself by depositing fat.
Is the cabbage soup diet healthy?
In a word: No. It is deficient in proteins, carbohydrates and essential fats. But it is a diet that only lasts 7 days and the negative effects are minimal for healthy people. You will have to decide if you will follow this fast weight loss diet or not. It is up to you
Remember, the negative effects are minimal for healthy people. If you have diabetes of heart diseases do NOT attempt to use this diet.