Tips on How to Make the Cabbage Soup Diet Healthier

Ok, let's be honest. Any diet that promotes liquid intake and not much else is bound to have its drawbacks. Regardless, the cabbage soup diet is still a favorite for those trying to squeeze into a tight dress in a week's time or show off a flatter belly for a date the coming weekend. The only problem is, the traditionally followed method of this flawed diet plan leaves the body yearning desperately for protein, meaning that if you do manage not to fall into a pit of binging before it's all over you will still be likely to lose muscle mass (which in turn decreases the body's natural ability to burn fat). If you must drop the weight quickly and are determined to do so with this favorite quick fix, however, consider the following tips on how to make the cabbage soup diet a little healthier.

Tip #1: Understand that those instant results aren't that sustainable. In other words, if you lost it fast, you'll gain it back fast. That's because what you lost wasn't fat at all, but water weight. Going in expecting permanent weight loss may lead to unnecessary restrictions and disappointments. The only way to make the cabbage soup diet a part of permanent weight loss is to implement it for a few days at the beginning of a new low calorie diet plan for an initial boost to your long-term efforts.

Tip #2: Add extra vegetables. There's nothing wrong with cabbage, but it won't offer you all the nutrients that your body requires. Equally low in calories, a variety of other vegetables will add bulk, vitamins and minerals, and a bit of variety to an otherwise dull menu.

Tip #3: Consume your cabbage soup or its variation before regular meals. When cutting back calories, meals can look discouragingly small. Use your soup to make each dining experience last longer and feel more satisfying.

Tip #4: Add a touch of protein. Again, one of the most devastating shocks of the cabbage soup diet is the total lack of protein that the body is subjected to. Many faithful cabbage soup dieters find themselves preparing large pots of the concoction and eating it up to eight times a day just to stay full. The simple fact of the matter is that the soup doesn't offer much in the department of satisfaction. If you prefer a more regular eating schedule that isn't marked by soup withdrawal, add a small portion of protein in the form of low fat milk, a piece of string cheese, or a sandwich with freshly sliced low calorie deli meats.

Tip #5: Use the broth as a base for more substantial stews. Cabbage soup broth can be spiced and treated to fit a number of different lunch and dinner recipes. Instead of using fattening cream bases, try it as a healthy substitute for otherwise fattening favorites.

Tip #6: Limit salt. Depending on the recipe used, some cabbage soups are loaded with sodium. If you use it as a filling pre-meal course, be sure to measure out any salt used with a teaspoon to keep your use of it in check. A diet high in liquid intake and sodium can lead to bloating.

Tip #7: Don't eat cabbage soup before lunchtime. Again, the most faithful cabbage soup diet followers are even consuming this weight loss "staple" during the time when the body is expecting its most important meal of the day. What you eat for breakfast can dictate what you crave the rest of the day, so avoid the eventual binging associated with a mostly liquid diet by eating a healthy breakfast that offers fruit, whole wheat, and protein.

Tip #8: Consider replacing a bowl of cabbage soup with water and a protein plate. An excessive amount of any food can be unhealthy, not to mention boring and disappointing. If you eat more than two bowls of cabbage soup per day, consider swapping one bowl for a bottle of water and a plate of healthy protein snacks (such as whole wheat crackers with cheese). The swap will help you maintain a flat belly while filling up on necessary nutrients.

Remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any diet program, and try to think of cabbage soup as more of a diet aid than a staple. If consuming it eases cravings for unhealthy foods, go right ahead and enjoy, but remember to get most of your vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods each day.