This diet requires you to eat cabbage soup in large quantities for a whole week. During those seven days you can also count on some varieties of fruit and vegetables, chicken, beef and brown rice. Its supporters claim that it allows you to lose unwanted pounds very quickly. What is undoubted is that the caloric intake is significantly reduced, but it is uncertain whether the weight lost is due to fluids and lean mass or unnecessary fat. The perplexity arises from the fact that it is very difficult to burn so much fat in such a short period of time. If you decide to try the diet, remember that it shouldn't be extended beyond a week. Due to the low intake of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and proteins you may feel weak and tired. Keep in mind that in order to lose weight in a healthy way and maintain the weight achieved in the long term it is essential to learn and apply the basics of proper nutrition and exercise regularly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Start the Diet
Step 1. Buy the ingredients
If you have decided to try the cabbage soup diet, the first thing to do is to buy all the ingredients you need to cook it. Stock up on everything you need as you will need to prepare a lot, especially if you plan on following the diet for the whole week. The recipe is very simple and allows you to prepare a large amount of soup and store it in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh for a long time. The ingredients you need are:
- 6 spring onions, sliced;
- 2 green peppers, diced;
- 2 cans of peeled tomatoes, cut into pieces or whole;
- 250 g of mushrooms, sliced;
- 1 stalk of celery, chopped;
- 1/2 head of cabbage, sliced;
- 3 carrots, cut into rings;
- 1 or 2 cubes for vegetable or meat broth (optional), plus salt and pepper to taste;
- Optional Flavors: Cayenne pepper, curry powder, mixed herbs or other seasonings to taste.
Step 2. Stock up on fruit and vegetables as well
During the diet week you will have to eat soup as a main dish, but you can also add some varieties of fruit and vegetables on certain set days. Before starting the cabbage soup diet, make sure you have a good supply of leafy greens and mixed fruits at home.
- Broccoli and spinach are a good choice as they bring iron to the body.
- Avoid starchy vegetables, such as corn and beans.
Step 3. Buy the meat you need
On some specific days you can add it to other foods included in the diet, alternating chicken with beef. Purchase 1-2 300g packs of ground beef and one pack of chicken breasts. You will be able to eat the meat on the fifth and sixth days, so check the expiration date and make sure it is still edible by then.
- If necessary, you can buy the meat after starting the diet so as not to risk it expiring before you can eat it.
- The meat should be as lean as possible.
Step 4. Write down your diet plan
Before starting the diet, it may be helpful to draw up a meal plan and hang it on the refrigerator door or somewhere else in the kitchen. Cabbage soup is the constant and goes with a few extras on different days. Include the information below.
Step 5. Make the soup
It is really simple to prepare. First you have to cut all the vegetables and fry them briefly with a little extra virgin olive oil in a large pot. Start with the spring onions, when they become translucent you can add the green peppers and cabbage. Stir frequently and wait for them to begin to wilt; at that point add the carrots, mushrooms and celery. Finally, season to taste and mix well.
- If you want to use peeled tomatoes, pour them into the pot.
- Add enough water to submerge all the ingredients, then wait for it to boil.
- If you want, you can add a bouillon cube or two to add flavor to the soup.
- Let the ingredients simmer over low heat for a couple of hours.
- When the soup has reached your preferred consistency, taste it to see if any corrections need to be made.
Part 2 of 3: Try the Cabbage Soup Diet
Step 1. Follow the instructions for the first day
It is important to start on the right foot. For this day you will have to count on cabbage soup as a main dish. You will have to eat a lot of it, so after a while it may get bored; to avoid this, you can add some other spice or seasoning to make it more appetizing. On the first day of the diet, you can also eat some fruit.
- Fruit is allowed at any time of the day;
- The only fruit forbidden on the first day of the diet is banana;
- Depending on the season, you can choose apples, oranges, peaches, etc.
Step 2. On the second day, add some leafy greens
Hopefully, on day two you still won't be completely sick of eating cabbage soup. Even today it will be your main dish at every meal. Instead of pairing it with fruit, on the second day you will need to prepare some leafy vegetables to eat cooked or raw.
- For example, you could boil or steam broccoli or spinach.
- You can cook a potato in the oven and eat it along with the soup.
- On the second day, you shouldn't eat any fruit.
Step 3. On the third day you can indulge in both fruit and vegetables
At this point in the diet, the urge to eat cabbage soup is likely to be running out. You can't avoid it, but you can accompany it with any variety of fruit or vegetables you like. Both contain only a few calories, so you can eat them worry-free to bring some joy to your palate.
- As for the vegetables, on the third day you can eat whatever you want except potatoes.
- When it comes to fruit, you should avoid bananas.
- All other types of fruit or vegetables are allowed.
Step 4. On the fourth day, you can eat bananas and drink skim milk
You have already done almost half the battle and the end of the diet is finally nearer. On the fourth day, you can indulge in both bananas and skim milk. You will continue to eat the cabbage soup with your main meals, but you can delight your taste buds with bananas and milk for the rest of the day.
- Make sure the milk is skimmed or at least partially skimmed.
- If you wish, you can combine the two ingredients to make a tasty milkshake.
Step 5. On the fifth day, chicken and tomatoes are provided, in addition to the soup
Once you hit day five, you can add something more substantial to your diet. Today you can indulge in some meat and tomatoes. As for the former, you can decide whether to eat chicken or a lean cut of beef. If you prefer chicken, remove the skin and boil it to cook it as healthily as possible. Pairing it with a tomato salad you will get a good and healthy dish.
- You can indulge in up to six tomatoes;
- If you don't want to eat them raw, you can grill them on a griddle. Avoid frying them with oil.
- Even at this point in the diet, you will need to keep eating cabbage soup at least once a day.
- On the fifth day, make sure you drink 6-8 glasses of water by evening.
Step 6. On the sixth day, eat beef and vegetables
Even today, you can indulge in protein again. If you chose chicken the day before, prepare a beef steak on the sixth day accompanied by a hearty side of cooked or raw vegetables. The ideal is to choose leafy vegetables, such as kale or spinach.
- Remember that beef and vegetables should complement and not replace cabbage soup.
- On the sixth day, potatoes are not allowed.
- Try not to use too much oil when cooking beef.
Step 7. Finish the diet with vegetables and brown rice
You have finally reached the last day of the diet. You can reward your constancy and tenacity by combining the cabbage soup with a plate of brown rice and vegetables, preferably leafy. The amount allowed for the whole day is that which can be contained in a small boule.
- The concessions for the seventh day are not over, you can also drink some fruit juices without sugar.
- By preparing the fruit juices yourself you will be sure that they do not contain added sugars; they will also be incredibly tastier.
- Do not extend the diet beyond the set seven days.
Part 3 of 3: Getting the Most Out of the Diet
Step 1. Respect the indications given
To take full advantage of the cabbage soup diet, you will need to be able to follow the instructions to the letter for a week. Succeeding is primarily a matter of commitment and willpower, but there are things you can do to increase your chances of success. Having a clear plan, where meals are well organized, will help you stick to your diet. Planning and organization are fundamental elements in any diet program.
- Any gaps or uncertainties about what you should eat can easily lead to a deviation from the schedule.
- Having a complete and detailed meal plan will help you manage your diet and track your progress.
Step 2. Don't neglect liquid calories
By being on a diet, you will naturally pay close attention to what you eat, but don't forget that most drinks are also high in calories. Alcohol, in particular, is highly caloric, and you will waste all your efforts if you do not commit to avoiding it while dieting.
- The same goes for fizzy drinks that contain sugar. We often overlook the close link that exists between what we drink and our body weight, while it is a fundamental element that should not be overlooked.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout your diet will help keep your body hydrated and also keep your appetite in check.
Step 3. Pay special attention to your health during the diet week
This diet plan may expose you to nutritional deficiencies, so after a while you may start to feel weak and tired. It is important to take precautions to keep your body healthy, for example by taking a multivitamin daily to ensure the vitamins and minerals you need while staying true to your diet. It is a simple and effective solution that allows the body to receive a reasonable amount of nutrients in order to continue to function well.
- As this is a very restrictive diet program, you are unlikely to have the strength to exercise at a strenuous level, but try to do some light exercise anyway.
- For example, go for a walk before or after dinner.
- If you feel excessively tired or listless, consider stopping the cabbage soup diet and looking for a more balanced eating plan, complementing it with regular physical activity and a healthier lifestyle.
Step 4. Think Positive While Dieting
One of the reasons many people manage to successfully complete this diet is that it only lasts a few days. You may find it less difficult to strictly follow a very restrictive diet for a week than a more balanced one that lasts longer, although the latter is certainly more beneficial and effective in the long term. However, if despite the short duration you still struggle to stay constant and the idea of eating another portion of cabbage soup discourages you, the best thing to do is try to think positive.
- Focus on the fact that the last day is getting closer and proudly check each meal where you have obeyed the rules.
- Being able to stick to the diet for a full week is an important milestone, so you can feel proud for showing so much willpower and determination.
- The best way to maintain the benefits of the cabbage soup diet is to eat a long-term balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Advice
- Remember to maintain a positive mental image of your body.
- Don't eat bread with soup.
- Unless otherwise specified, the only drink allowed during the diet is water.
- Drink plenty of water at regular intervals throughout the seven days.
- Avoid alcoholic and fizzy drinks, even if they are sugar-free.
Warnings
- This diet plan is very restrictive, so you should discuss this with your doctor before starting.
- A common side effect is an increase in flatulence.
- This is a short-term diet plan that doesn't bring long-term benefits.
- Your body weight will drop mainly because you will lose a lot of fluids, not unnecessary fat, so the benefits will only be temporary.
