1 Thing to do immediately about Fast Weight Loss
With
many diet crazes out there in the market, you may not have heard of the popular
cabbage soup diet. This diet has been given credibility by a number of
prominent health experts. However, as is true before starting any new diet, it
is important to learn about the details of the diet, as well as any
limitations, risks, side effects, potential benefits and tips on how to follow
the diet for best results.
What Is A Cabbage Soup Diet?
Cabbage soup diet is a nutritional plan for weight loss that consists
primarily of eating cabbage soup anywhere from 1-3 times per day, in addition
to various other nutritional components, such as vegetables, lean meat, dairy
products, fruit, and certain starches. This is a short-term diet that promises
fast results, as it will let you cut your total caloric intake in half, at
least, if you follow the specific directions every day. While many people
labeled the cabbage soup diet for weight loss as a fad, but there are a number of proven
benefits to this strategy. It is considered an effective and safe way to lose
weight loss quickly.
Cabbage Soup Diet Meal Plan
Day 1 – Cabbage soup and fruits, but no bananas.
Day 2 – Cabbage soup and vegetables, such as carrots,
onions, celery, and asparagus.
Avoid beans and corn. One starchy vegetable is
allowed for dinner.
Day 3 – Cabbage soup, fruit and green vegetables. Avoid all
starchy vegetables.
Day 4 – Cabbage soup, skim milk and bananas.
Day 5 – Cabbage soup, mixed with beef, as well as tomatoes
and plenty of water.
Day 6 – Cabbage soup, along with beef and vegetables.
Day 7 – Cabbage soup with brown rice and vegetables.
How Does Cabbage Soup Diet Work?
A cabbage soup diet is based on the idea of caloric
restriction, as we know that cabbage is a calorie-negative food. Essentially,
it takes more calories to burn cabbage in the digestive process than the food
actually contains. By making cabbage soup the central part of this diet, it is
believed that it helps speed up the metabolism and reduce calorie intake,
without depriving the body of too many essential nutrients for too long.
As
mentioned, this is only intended to be a short-term diet, as the limited
caloric intake can eventually have negative effects on the body. While most
people don’t go on this diet for more than 7 days, there are reports of people
using this diet for a month, losing up to 30 pounds in the process. A caloric
deficit of 50%, combined with semi-regular exercise, can result in rapid weight loss, provided you can deal with the potential side effects of this diet.
Limitations
The inherent limitations of a cabbage soup diet for weight loss are the
duration it can be used for, the potential nutrient deficiencies, and the
single-focus nature of the diet.
Duration: Unlike some diets that can become a permanent
lifestyle change, the cabbage soup diet for weight loss is typically only used for 3-10 days,
although exceptions do apply. Since the duration is inherently limited, many
people relapse or see the results they achieve disappear once they stop dieting
and return to old patterns.
Nutrient Deficiency: Unless you know what you are doing or
know a lot about specific nutrients in your diet, there is a good chance that
this weight loss will result in certain nutrient deficiencies. While the basic
minerals and vitamins are largely covered, some entire food groups are
eliminated on given days, making it difficult to acquire protein or
carbohydrates.
Single Focus: Most weight loss include a comprehensive approach to
lifestyle, weight loss, and exercise, but this weight loss is solely focused on your eating
habits, which can be less effective than broader dietary approaches.
Recommendations
If you are considering going on the cabbage soup diet for weight loss, the
best advice includes speaking with your doctor, drinking your fruit, increasing
water intake, eating a few fats every day, “fake” eating and keeping physically
active, in moderation.
Water: Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day will help you
feel full and speed up the detoxifying process, making you feel even better.
Drink Your Fruit: On the fruit days, try making smoothies,
rather than eating the fruit whole. This will increase satiety, making you less
aware of the low-calorie intake.
Sweet Treats: Allow yourself a few M&Ms or Tic-Tacs
every day, as this can distract the body from the fact that it isn’t getting
carbohydrates or fats.
Fake Eating: In desperate times, put a delicious food in
your mouth, like a piece of cake, and let it sit on your tongue. You can even
chew it a bit, but then spit it out. The taste will keep you from going crazy
but the calories won’t go into your body!
Speak with Your Doctor: Perhaps most importantly, before
embarking on this diet, it is essential that you speak to your doctor about any
particular risks or complications this weight loss might have for your health.
Recipes
There
are a few wonderful cabbage soup recipes that will make this rather challenging weight loss a bit easier for those who love variation and flavor in their food. The
most important thing is that the cabbage soup for weight loss is fat-free.
Recipe #1 – Basic Cabbage Soup
Ingredients:
Garlic
Onion
Cabbage
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
4 teaspoons of chicken bouillon
Step 1 – Cook the garlic and onions in the olive oil in a
heated saucepan for 5-7 minutes.
Step 2 – Add the salt, water, pepper, and bouillon. Stir
continuously. Bring to a boil.
Step 3 – Add the chopped cabbage and allow it to simmer for
about 10 minutes, or until the cabbage is wilted.
Step
4 – Allow simmering for another 15 minutes. Serve hot.
Recipe #2 – Flavorful Cabbage Soup
Ingredients:
Carrots
Onions
Vegetable Broth
Bell Peppers
Garlic
Green Beans
Celery
Parsley
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Tomatoes
Thyme
Olive Oil
Water
Cabbage
Step 1 – Cook all vegetables except for cabbage and
tomatoes, in a large frying pan in olive oil, until the onions are transparent.
Step 2 – Add 6 cups of vegetable broth, as well as cabbage,
spices, and tomatoes to the mixture.
Step 3 – Bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes, then reduce to a
simmer.
Step
4 – Allow the mixture to simmer for 20-30 minutes before removing from heat and
serving.
Rapid Weight Loss
Although individual results may vary with the cabbage soup
diet for weight loss, people can lose up to 10 pounds in a week when they stick closely to this
diet plan. Cabbage soup for weight loss is high in fiber, as well as low in cholesterol,
saturated fat, and calories. This dietary fiber can help cleanse the digestive
tracts, thoroughly eliminating any excess waste, while also helping the body
eliminate water weight loss. For some people who retain water, the majority of the
weight loss is from water, which is notorious for returning quickly after
individuals go off their weight loss.
This isn’t the case with everyone; however, there are plenty
of people who use the cabbage soup diet for weight loss as a starting platform for a healthier
approach to their eating habits. While some of the weight may come back, the
awareness of the effect that healthy, low-fat food can have on the body is
extremely valuable for all of us to know to ensure long-term wellness.
Side Effects of Cabbage Soup Diet
Eliminating nearly half your calories doesn’t come without a
cost, most notably a drop in energy levels, poor gastrointestinal health,
headaches, nausea, and excessive flatulence.
Stomach Issues: Many people experience cramping, stomach
pain, constipation or diarrhea when they first begin this diet. This is a
combination of changing your diet rapidly and reducing the normal nutrient
content that your digestive system expects.
Flatulence: The most common and embarrassing side effect of
a cabbage soup diet is the nearly constant flatulence. The gases released
during cabbage digestion are unpleasant and difficult to avoid.
Nausea: Some people have experienced nausea,
lightheartedness, muscle weakness and dizziness after a few days on a cabbage
soup diet. This is largely due to the sudden drop in calories, particularly if
you have a relatively fast metabolism, or are an active person. While many
people choose this diet for weight loss, others use it to detoxify, but
depriving your body of calories can be dangerous.
Headaches: Similar to nausea, headaches or even migraines
can occur when on this diet, due to the lower energy levels in the body. It is
important to drink a lot of water, as it can prevent headaches and help you feel
full.
Mood Swings: If you have ever been extremely hungry, you
know that it can affect your mood. Therefore, expect some emotional or
unpredictable moments when your body is literally begging you to give it more
calories.
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