What is the Cabbage Soup Diet?

The cabbage soup diet is often called the ultimate fad diet. It is specifically designed for rapid, short term weight loss and is the first diet plan of its kind to achieve popularity. Although there are fans of this diet, many people who begin the diet find it difficult to finish. Also, like most other short term weight loss solutions, the cabbage diet causes water weight loss rather than permanent fat loss.

According to the cabbage soup diet publications, this plan should only be attempted for one week. If you would like to lose more weight with this method, you must wait at least two weeks before beginning the cabbage soup diet again. Critics say this is due to the stress the cabbage soup diet places on the body. The cabbage soup diet relies on the consumption of unlimited amounts of cabbage soup paired with other specific foods, but does not create a balanced diet.

The cabbage soup diet is attractive to many dieters because it promises that you will never be hungry. Although all other types of food are restricted, you can eat as much cabbage soup as you would like. Some recipes for cabbage soup call for large amounts of salt, which should be of concern for people on low sodium diets. Almost all cabbage soup recipes are incredibly bland and people that follow the diet for more than a few days often avoid it.

On the cabbage soup diet, it is claimed you can lose up to ten pounds in seven days. The weight is often mostly water weight, and therefore temporary. Also, by following a low calorie diet, muscle loss can also take place during the cabbage soup diet. The cabbage soup diet allows for almost no protein during the entire week of weight loss.

The actual cabbage soup diet varies depending on the actual plan. Many diets begin with allowing you to eat as much cabbage soup as you would like and only fruit for the first day. The next day may have you eat cabbage soup and only vegetables. Some cabbage soup diet plans include meat for one of the days, while other cabbage soup diet plans are completely vegetarian.

There have also been altered versions of the cabbage soup diet, which add protein and lower salt in the original recipe. The cabbage soup is then paired with a more balanced diet and is used as a low calorie filler food to help the dieter feel more full. There have also been recipes that significantly alter the taste of the cabbage soup that is central to the cabbage soup diet, adding spices to make it more palatable.

Although many cabbage soup diets have names like the "Sacred Heart Diet" or the "TJ Miracle Soup Diet" no known medical facility claims responsibility for formulating the cabbage soup diet. Urban legends say that the cabbage soup diet was developed to help obese patients lose weight before open heart surgery. This claim has never been proven, and is vehemently denied by some medical professionals. Often older versions of the plans say that they are endorsed by a specific clinic. If you are unsure of the truth of this claim, contact the clinic directly.

Talk to your doctor before beginning the cabbage soup diet. He should be able to address any concerns you should have before beginning this weight loss program, as well as evaluate your health before starting. If you are looking for permanent weight loss, consult with your doctor on other proven weight loss plans. You may find the perfect solution to reach your ideal body weight.