The cabbage soup diet is a popular weight-loss method that claims to help you shed 2-4 kg in just one week. If you're curious about whether this diet works and how it impacts your health, keep reading to find out more about this trendy diet.
What is the Cabbage Soup Diet?
Many people dream of achieving their ideal body weight. To do this, a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced, low-calorie diet is necessary. One diet plan that you may have heard of is the cabbage soup diet, which promises to help you lose up to 4 kilograms in just 7 days.
According to Everyday Health, the cabbage soup diet involves consuming large quantities of cabbage soup for several days. People are often drawn to this diet because it promises quick and noticeable results. It is especially popular among those who need to lose weight quickly for an upcoming event or occasion.
While the results might seem appealing, experts caution that the cabbage soup diet is considered a fad diet. This type of diet involves severely restricting food intake or eating only specific combinations of food, which can lead to unbalanced nutrition.
On the cabbage soup diet, you consume large amounts of cabbage soup for 7 days. In addition to the soup, other low-calorie foods like meat, chicken, and fruit are allowed. The recommended drinks are water or other calorie-free beverages.
The main goal of the cabbage soup diet is to dramatically reduce calorie intake by consuming small amounts of food. Since cabbage is a low-calorie vegetable, and fibrous foods like fruits are included, this diet is expected to lead to significant weight loss.
At the end of the week, the weight loss you experience may mostly be due to water loss, which can make the diet appear successful.
Is the Cabbage Soup Diet Effective?
While the cabbage soup diet may lead to quick weight loss, experts do not recommend it for long-term weight management. Though it is low in calories, the diet lacks variety, which increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
For healthier, more sustainable weight loss options, consider diets that include a broader range of foods, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet. These diets are also often recommended for people with hypertension.
If the cabbage soup diet is followed for more than 10 days, it can result in nutritional deficiencies. Other potential side effects include:
-
Disruptions to blood sugar levels
-
Digestive issues, including constipation and bloating
-
Reduced concentration
-
Loss of muscle mass
-
Headaches and dizziness
-
Nausea
-
Fatigue
The cabbage soup diet is relatively easy to follow, but if you already have an ideal body weight or no health issues, it's still a good idea to consult a nutritionist before starting any weight-loss program. Keep in mind that the effects of this diet are usually short-term, and if followed for too long, it can interfere with your metabolism.
When choosing a diet plan to lose weight, make sure to select one that suits your health needs and goals while considering the long-term effects.
If you have any questions about dieting, you can also take advantage of the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, which is available for download on the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for information about nutrition, food and other diet tips? Click here!
- dr Hanifa Rahma
Watson, S. (2024). The Cabbage Soup Diet. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/cabbage-soup-diet
Hobbs, H. (2024). What Is the Cabbage Soup Diet and Does It Work for Weight Loss?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-cabbage-soup-diet
Casner, C. (2023). Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup. Available from: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269488/cabbage-diet-soup/
Cherney. K. (2022). The Cabbage Soup Diet: What Experts Say. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/cabbage-soup-diet.aspx