While many of the foods allowed in the cabbage soup diet are considered “healthy,” the principles of this eating plan aren’t. The diet may also pose short-term side effects, and possibly more serious consequences if you have any underlying health conditions.
Due to the high sodium content of the cabbage soup diet, dehydration is one short-term side effect. The diet may also be harmful to people with diabetes because it can destabilize blood sugar levels. (1)
Because the soup itself is also extremely low in calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fat, the Australian government’s Better Health Channel notes that you may experience: (8)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Additionally, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns that fad diets can cause: (9)
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation and flatulence
- Loss of concentration
- Muscle loss, which can occur when your body goes into “starvation” mode from not consuming enough calories
- Gallstones
An important consideration is the lack ofhealthy fatsin this diet. While you may be looking to get rid of body fat, dietary forms of fat are important for feeling full. Healthy fats, such as those found in fish and nuts, also contain important nutrients.Healthy fat is an essential macronutrient needed daily to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. (10)
“Essentially there is very little fat included in this diet because the only fat source comes from the beef, or milk if choosing whole milk,” says Rothenberg.
Perhaps one of the most concerning risks associated with fads like the cabbage soup diet is the havoc they can wreak on your metabolism. Indeed, they can lead you to gain weight when you go off of the plan. “I have had a client come to me and say they did the cabbage soup diet prior and it did ‘work’ in the short term, but she ended up gaining the weight back with an additional 5 lbs. the following week,” Rothenberg says.
Another consideration with fad diets such as the cabbage soup diet is that short-term weight loss of more than the recommended 1 to 2 lbs. per week is likely attributed to water weight, and not the coveted fat loss so many dieters are vying for. To put this in perspective, 10 to 15 lbs. of body fat is equal to between 40 and 60 sticks of butter, something that’s impossible to lose in a week’s time. (1)
It’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks carefully before trying out any new diet, but especially one as extreme as the cabbage soup diet, and ideally work with a registered dietitian-nutritionist when following it.
FAQs
The Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term weight loss diet. Proponents of the diet say that it can help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a single week, but many health experts warn that the diet does not promote health and wellness, and results are unsustainable.
Do doctors recommend the cabbage soup diet? ›
No health authorities recommend following the diet. Proponents of the cabbage soup diet also encourage people not to exercise while following it. However, getting enough exercise is very important to good health overall. Regular exercise is also far more likely to lead to meaningful, long-term weight loss.
What are the disadvantages of the cabbage soup diet? ›
Negative health effects of the cabbage soup diet
- Excess sodium intake -- if you make the soup using canned vegetable juice.
- Inadequate caloric intake -- it's likely that you'll suffer from weakness, fatigue, and dizziness, meaning you won't be able to exercise properly for the week.
It will likely leave you feeling hungry, weak, and bored. You might even feel sick. And if you follow the Cabbage Soup Diet for more than a week, you could run short on key nutrients. Nor does the diet encourage the necessary lifestyle changes you need to make in order to be healthier and have lasting weight loss.
How many times a day are you supposed to eat cabbage soup diet? ›
Most variations of this diet suggest that people eat this soup two to three times a day—although some variations enable the participants to consume even more of the soup. The cabbage soup used in this diet combines ingredients like broth, nonstarchy vegetables, pepper, herbs and, of course, cabbage.
How long does it take to see results on the cabbage soup diet? ›
The Cabbage Soup Diet is referred to as a rapid weight loss diet. Proponents' anecdotal claims include following the diet for 7 days can lead to weight loss of up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg), which they believe can jump-start a longer-term diet plan. The diet involves eating homemade cabbage soup for every meal for 1 week.
Can I eat eggs on the cabbage soup diet? ›
They are high in calories and sugar, so they are not recommended on the cabbage soup diet. High-Fat Foods: Foods rich in saturated fats, such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, vegetables like avocado, and high-fat sauces or dressings, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid eggs.
What is the Dolly Parton diet? ›
You may have heard of something called the Dolly Parton Diet — which consists of eating cabbage soup (yes, cabbage soup!) as your main meals along with fruit and vegetables. It's also known as the TWA Stewardess Diet and, well, the Cabbage Soup Diet.
How many bananas can I eat on a cabbage soup diet? ›
Banana Day! Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day. Remember to eat your soup.
Can I drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›
Most versions allow black coffee while following the cabbage soup diet, but not coffee with milk.
Get active.
Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more. There is some evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help reduce belly fat, as can strength training.
How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›
To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.
Can you eat baked potato on cabbage soup diet? ›
The cabbage soup diet allows you to eat all of the cabbage soup you like in addition to adding certain foods on specific days throughout the week. No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages, including diet sodas. Day 1: Any fruit except bananas. Day 2: Any and all vegetables, baked potato with butter for dinner.
What is an alternative to the cabbage soup diet? ›
No magic, no tricks - just healthy food that tastes great.
- Hungarian Mushroom Vegetable Soup as a Base. ...
- Substitute Our Country Chicken and Vegetable Soup as a Healthy Soup Base. ...
- Beef Vegetable Soup as a Base (or Meal Replacement) ...
- Thai Tomato Soup and Cauliflower Grilled Cheese.
Cabbage has diuretic properties that helps get rid your body of excess liquid and toxins. It helps cleanse your liver and colon. Which is why cabbage forms the base for this detox cabbage soup. You can add veggies or proteins of your choice such as egg, ground chicken, lamb!
What is the theory behind the cabbage soup diet? ›
Simply put, the cabbage soup diet is a calorie-restricted plan that's low in fat and high in fibre. The aim of the diet is to restrict calories by limiting the foods you eat while filling up on fibre-rich soups. Daily calorie intake is estimated to be about 1000-1200kcal per day over the seven days of the programme.
Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›
Cabbage is not a magic food that can burn fat on its own. However, as a low-calorie and high-fiber food, it can be a good addition to a healthy and balanced diet to support weight loss.
Can you eat eggs on the cabbage soup diet? ›
They are high in calories and sugar, so they are not recommended on the cabbage soup diet. High-Fat Foods: Foods rich in saturated fats, such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, vegetables like avocado, and high-fat sauces or dressings, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid eggs.
