Cabbage Soup Diet is one of the fad diets which is designed for fast weight loss and requires no long term commitment. It is designed as seven days program where dieter will have a strict meal plans with cabbage soup as the main ingredients. The program itself is not new; it was first gained popularity at 1980s due to the claim of 10 pounds weight loss per week.

This is the cabbage soup meal plan that would be followed for 7 days:

Day 1: Fruit; any fruit (no banana’s), cabbage soup, fat burner drink, healthy protein shake, and lemon water or herbal water. Day 2: Vegetable; vegetables,cabbage soup, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, baked potato, lemon water or vegetable juice Day 3: Vegetables and Fruits; cabbage soup, fruit, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juices. Day 4: Bananas; banana, cabbage soup, dairy (low fat), healthy protein shake, lemon or herbal water. Day 5: Tomatoes and Fish: fish or chicken with tomatoes, cabbage soup, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon or herbal water. Day 6: Poultry; poultry or fish, cabbage soup, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juices. Day 7: Rice; mushroom risotto, cabbage soup, vegetables, healthy protein shake, fat burner drink, lemon water or vegetable juice

Notes that there is no limit for the consumption of cabbage soup at any day, the dieter can eat as much as he wants. On day three, five, six, and seven, there are no limits for fruit, vegetables, fish, and poultry consumption. The recipes of the soup itself usually consist of cabbage, carrots, peppers, onions, and tomatoes with preferred seasonings. The program also forbid alcohol, bread, and carbonated beverages.

While it is named The Cabbage Soup Diet, there are no scientific studies that show cabbage properties to burn fat. The seven days meal plans indicate that this is another low calorie diet with 800-100 calories per day, the cabbage soup is just there to satisfy the dieter whenever he is hungry.

Pros

1. Lose weight fast; most people will lose between 10 -15 pounds over the 7 days of the cabbage soup diet.

2. No expensive ingredients; in fact, it’s very cheap.

3. Simple; no exercise or any other behavior changes are suggested, it’s only the 7 days meal plan.

4. Eating more fruits and vegetables, which is always a good idea.

Cons

1. The diet is very low calorie and considered unhealthy. The cabbage soup itself contains very little protein and the dieter usually will suffer lack of proper nutrition. It is not recommended to consume less than 1200 calories per day unless it is advised by a doctor.

2. Continuously eat cabbage soup throughout the entire week can be really boring, which can encourage the dieter to eat less than the already low calories per day.

3. Most cabbage soup recipes are high in sodium or monosodium glutamate.

4. Many believe that the majority of weight loss achieved with this diet plan isn’t fat loss but water weight loss which will be gained back as soon as the dieter returns to their normal eating habits.

5. Most cabbage soup recipes are very bland and dieters have reported feeling ill just by the smell of this bland soup after their 7 day diet is over.

6. Causes gas.

7. If you eat out it’s tough to follow the meal plan in a restaurant.

From the facts, it is obvious that this diet has many drawbacks and not recommended; many experts will suggest a traditional long term healthy diet. But it is also true that fast weight loss is really tempting and many will still try it. If you do plan to try this diet program, here are a few things to consider:

1. No kids or teenagers! This diet is for adults only.

2. Only go on this diet a week at a time, do not try to prolong it.

3. Consult your doctor if you have any health issues.

4. Motivate yourself by remembering it’s only 7 days and at the end of that time you could be down 10 pounds or more.

5. Drink at least 5 glass of water per day.

6. Use spices and seasonings to liven up your meals and help prevent boredom.

7. Don’t skip your meals, no matter how bored you might be getting with the soup you can’t risk lowering your calories any more than they already are.

8. You should probably stay home during your diet. Not only will you feel weak due to your low calorie intake, but you don’t want to have a problem with gas while standing in the line at the grocery store!

9. Consume food supplement tablet to complement this diet.

10. Keep a journal so you can track your weight loss.

11. Make sure to keep careful track of what foods you are supposed to eat each day.

12. Keep steady supply of the ingredients, fruits, and vegetables in your refrigerator.

13. Consume protein shake to avoid lack of protein.

If you can stay motivated and focused for the 7 day plan you can lose between 10 -15 pounds. Not bad for a weeks worth of work!