Cabbage Soup Diet " How to Pass the Seven Days Period

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.

An example of the 7 days meal plans:

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.

Despite the fact that the diet is centered around cabbage soup there isn't any evidence to suggest that cabbage burns more fat than any other vegetable. The real reason people lose weight on this diet is due to the extremely low daily calorie intake, between 800-1,000. The soup is just the 'main course' and the diet would probably work the same way with many other types of vegetable soups as the center piece.

Pros

1. Fast weight loss; the dieter can expect to lose 10 to 15 pounds at the end of the program.

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. You will eat more fruits and vegetables.

Cons

1. The extremely low daily calorie of this diet is not a healthy way to lose weight. There is a very small percentage of protein in the diet plan which can actually hurt you due to the lack of proper nutrition. Most people should get at least 1200 calories a day, unless specifically told otherwise by their doctor.

2. Eating this fairly bland soup almost exclusively for a week will get really boring which might make you want to skip meals and lowering your already dangerously low calorie intake.

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

4. There is theory that the weight loss mainly comes from fluid or muscle mass, not fat loss, which will return once the dieter back to the normal eating behaviors.

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. Hard to eat out since the meals in the program are not commonly served at 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. Only adults should use this diet plan, no children or teenagers.

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

3. Talk to your doctor about any health concerns.

4. While on the diet keep yourself motivated by reminding yourself it's only 7 days and you can lose up to 10 pounds.

5. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 5 glasses of water every day.

6. Try different variety of spices and seasoning to minimize boredom from eating cabbage soup continuously.

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. Take your vitamins (and minerals) you have to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

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. Stock up. Make sure you have everything on hand for your diet before you start.

13. Drink your protein shakes. This is very important to provide your body with the protein it needs to stay strong.

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!