Promising dieters a weight loss result of up to ten pounds in just seven days, The Ultimate Cabbage Soup Diet has been dubbed"the most amazing weight-loss programme ever devised". But does it really mean a week of eatingcabbage soup day-in, day-out? Andare there any healthbenefits of doing so?
What can I eat on the Cabbage Soup Diet?
Unsurprisingly, thediet plan is predominantlycabbage soup (as much as you like), alongsidea variety offruit and vegetables Arestrictive diet that is low in fat but high in fibre, it's aseven day plan. The breakdown of each day looks like this:
- Day 1:Cabbage Soup, unlimited free fruits,240 mlserving skimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt. Tea or coffee (plain or with artificial sweetener),1 tbsp low-or no-fat salad dressing.
- Day 2:Cabbage Soup, unlimited free vegetables,1 large baked potato, 240 mlserving skimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt. Tea or coffee, plain or with artificial sweetener,1 tbsp low-or no-fat salad dressing.
- Day 3:Cabbage Soup, unlimited free fruits, unlimited free vegetables,240 mlserving skimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt. Tea or coffee, (plain or with artificial sweetener.)1 tbsp low-or no-fat salad dressing.
- Day 4: Cabbage Soup,3-6 bananas,8 x 240 mlglasses skimmed milk, or 7 x 240 mlserving plain, low-fat natural yoghurt and 7 x 240 ml glasses skimmed milk.
- Day 5:Cabbage Soup, unlimited fish, unlimited chicken, up to six tomatoes,1 x 240 mlserving skimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt.Tea or coffee (plain or with artificial sweetener.)1 tbsp low- or no-fat salad dressing.
- Day 6:Cabbage Soup, unlimited fish, unlimited chicken, unlimited free vegetables, including tomotoes.1 x 240mlskimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt. Tea or coffee (plain or with artificial sweetener.)1 tbsp low- or no fat salad dressing.
- Day 7:Cabbage Soup, unlimited free vegetables, unlimited free fruits,1 x 240mlserving skimmed milk or low-fat natural yoghurt.Tea or coffee, (plain, or with artificial sweetener.)1 tbsp low - or no-fat salad dressing.
What are the health benefits of the Cabbage Soup Diet?
Weight loss
As a low calorie diet plan that restricts the intake of dairy and carbohydrate, it is hardly surprising that followers of the Cabbage Soup Diet report weight loss after just seven days. However, this weight loss is often a loss of water weight because followers havecut out carbohydrates. Weightcan thereforebe regained quickly if carbohydratesare not carefullyre-introduced.
High in fibre
Fibre is essential for healthy digestion. The 2016 National Diet and Nutrition Survey showed that, as a nation, we are eating half as much fibre as we should be. The Cabbage Diet Plan encourages the intake of a whole range of fruit and vegetables, thus upping the intake of fibre.Fibre in your diet can also help you manageblood cholesterol,which lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Are there any drawbacks ?
It's restrictive
Dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic AssociationAisling Pigott expressesher concern for people'sphysical and mental health when following the Cabbage Soup Diet."Restrictive 'fad'diets like this one aren't actually tackling health or encouraging ahealthy relationship with food," she says.
It can cause flatulence
Cabbage itself, and many of the other fruit and vegetablesincorporated in the diet plan,containcarbohydrates that our intestines can't absorb. These are carbohydrates that, when broken down by bacteria in your colon, produce gas thatcausesflatulence.
