A cabbage salad with cucumbers and tomatoes.
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The Cabbage Soup Diet is a weight-loss diet designed to promote rapid weight loss. Though numerous variations of the Cabbage Soup Diet exist, they all promote one primary guideline -- eating as much cabbage soup as you desire. The soup usually contains onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, cabbage and bouillon cubes, salt, pepper and other seasonings. According to the American Heart Association, the Cabbage Soup Diet is ineffective and poses numerous adverse side effects.
Gas, Abdominal Pain and Bloating
Cabbage, like other cruciferous vegetables, is known to cause gas, bloating and associated abdominal pain when consumed in excess. People particularly prone to gas may experience these symptoms from even small amounts of cabbage. For this reason, it is no surprise that gas, bloating and abdominal pain are common reported side effects of the Cabbage Soup Diet. Symptoms vary in severity and frequency, depending upon how much cabbage soup you consume and your sensitivity to gas-causing substances in cabbage. However, the more cabbage soup you consume during the diet, the greater your becomes of experiencing these symptoms.
Exhaustion, Hunger and Fatigue
The Cabbage Soup Diet encourages severe calorie reduction and provides no fat or protein. According to "The New Cabbage Soup Diet," by Margaret Danbrot, the diet bases itself on low-calorie and negative-calorie foods -- foods your body uses more calories to eat than are contained in the foods. Danbrot says that even a modest alteration to the Cabbage Soup Diet, such as exchanging a fruit for a vegetable, can contribute modest amounts of calories that may make a difference in weight loss. This emphasis on eating as few calories as possible while attempting to avoid hunger by consuming soup is not scientifically or nutritionally valid, but it is potentially dangerous. Without appropriate calories for fuel, you may experience intense hunger and tiredness and feel less able to tend to usual work, school and home activities. Fat and protein provide numerous benefits, including improved energy, satiation and food enjoyment. Fat is also necessary for the absorption of certain nutrients and protein contributes to muscle strength. Without fat and protein, your chance of experiencing exhaustion, hunger and fatigue are heightened.
Heart and Electrolyte Problems
One of the dangers of extremely low-calorie diets, such as the Cabbage Soup Diet, involves the heart. According to the Weight-control Information Network, consuming fewer than 800 calories per day is associated with irregular heart rhythms, which can become fatal. An irregular heartbeat is particularly dangerous if you have a history of heart disease. Low-calorie diets are often deficient in hydrating foods, such as proper amounts of fruits and vegetables. In addition, consuming soup throughout the day may reduce your interest in drinking water. For these reasons, the Cabbage Soup Diet may also lead to dehydration. Dehydration can cause numerous symptoms, including tiredness, weakness and dizziness. If left untreated, dehydration may lead to electrolyte imbalances -- improper levels of bodily salts that help regulate your heartbeat, muscle contraction and other important functions. In severe cases, electrolyte imbalances cause fainting, difficulty breathing and death.
Emotional Effects
The Cabbage Soup Diet may also adversely effect your emotional wellness. Restriction from normal meals and snacks can cause feelings of deprivation. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, dieting is associated with poor self-esteem and body image, anxiety, depression and increased risk for mental illnesses, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.
Weight Gain
The effectiveness of the Cabbage Soup Diet lacks evidence. In fact, most dieters are disappointed when, after the diet, their lost weight returns quickly as they begin eating normal foods. Restrictive dieting can also reduce your metabolism and lead to increased weight gain later on. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, most diets fail to provide long-term weight loss success. Dieting also increases your risk of developing binge-eating behaviors, which may also lead to weight gain.
FAQs
Gas, Abdominal Pain and Bloating
What are the disadvantages of cabbage diet? ›
Cons of the Cabbage Soup Diet
This diet is very low in calories, and following it can make people feel less energized as a result. It also does not provide enough healthy fats, an important part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Do doctors recommend the cabbage soup diet? ›
No health authorities recommend following the diet. Proponents of the cabbage soup diet also encourage people not to exercise while following it. However, getting enough exercise is very important to good health overall. Regular exercise is also far more likely to lead to meaningful, long-term weight loss.
How much weight can you lose in a week on the cabbage diet? ›
The Cabbage Soup diet promises dieters can lose up to 10 pounds in 7 days. The main reason for this is that it severely restricts calories. The low end of the range is for people who are sedentary while the high end of the range is for people who are active.
Why does cabbage soup make me feel bloated? ›
Cabbage commonly causes bloating and flatulence because of its high fiber content. It also contains raffinose, a complex sugar that is hard to digest. Both of these can make you feel very uncomfortable.
Does cabbage have any side effects? ›
Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. It's best to slowly introduce these vegetables into your diet and gradually increase your intake. Individuals with sensitive digestive tracts might want to limit cabbage or talk to your doctor.
Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›
Does cabbage burn belly fat? Although cabbage is a nutritious low-calorie vegetable, many people associate it with weight loss because of the popular "cabbage soup diet". Some creative marketing has led people to believe that cabbage actually burns body fat. In fact, no food, including cabbage, burns body fat.
Why am I not losing weight on cabbage soup diet? ›
One of the main problems with the Cabbage Soup Diet is that it can only be followed for 1 week, which is not long enough for meaningful weight loss. Your body can only burn so much fat per week. In the first week of a low calorie diet, only about 34% of the weight lost is from fat.
How many times a day are you supposed to eat cabbage soup diet? ›
Just like the name says, the bulk of this diet is fat-free cabbage soup, eaten two to three times a day with other allowed foods assigned each day. Here's what you can add: Day 1: Fruit, except bananas. Day 2: Vegetables like leafy greens (not starchy), but no fruit.
Can I drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›
Most versions allow black coffee while following the cabbage soup diet, but not coffee with milk.
They are high in calories and sugar, so they are not recommended on the cabbage soup diet. High-Fat Foods: Foods rich in saturated fats, such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, vegetables like avocado, and high-fat sauces or dressings, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid eggs.
Does cabbage detox the body? ›
Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.
Does cabbage speed up your metabolism? ›
Cabbage is rich in water and fibre, which helps in keeping the intestines healthy. By consuming cabbage, the stomach feels full for a long time. This reduces appetite so that you can avoid overeating. The fibre in cabbage removes constipation and accelerates metabolism, which helps in weight loss.
Do you gain weight back after cabbage soup diet? ›
A Word From Verywell
Following a strict 7-day meal plan like the cabbage soup diet does not teach you how to make healthy choices or maintain your weight loss. As soon as you stop following the diet you'll most likely gain the weight back, and then some.
Does cabbage soup make you pee a lot? ›
Besides being extremely nutritious, cabbage is also a natural diuretic. Diuretics help your body get rid of salt and water mainly by stimulating your kidneys to release sodium into your urine.
Why does my stomach hurt after eating cabbage soup? ›
As it's fermented by bacteria in the gut, gas is produced, which is why you may experience flatulence and discomfort after eating these foods. They also are sources of sulfur-containing glucosinolates, plant compounds noted for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Which patient should not eat cabbage? ›
Under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism): Cabbage might make this condition worse. Check with your healthcare provider before consuming cabbage if you have an under-active thyroid gland. Surgery: Cabbage might affect blood sugar levels and could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.
Why is it not advisable for ladies to eat cabbage? ›
An increase in goitrin and thiocyanates inhibits thyroid function and benzyl cyanide can result in potential adverse effects (dermal and respiratory manifestations). Eating cabbage in excess can result in abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and flatulence.
What happens if I only eat cabbage everyday? ›
It is important to note that, while it is true that eating cabbage may support weight-management goals, this veggie should not be overconsumed, as too much cabbage can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, like bloating. It is also important to enjoy cabbage as a part of a balanced and healthy diet.
Does cabbage detox the liver? ›
Cabbage is rich in vitamin C and sulphur; both help remove toxins such as free radicals and uric acid from your body. Cabbage juice contains 'Indole-3 carbonile' antioxidant, which plays a pivotal role in detoxifying the liver.
