The cabbage soup diet does work for some people as
a short-term way to lose weight rapidly. Some people
like the fact that the diet offers a break fromjunk food or
fast food, and does not require any unusual or expensive
ingredients, complex recipes, or appetite suppressants.
Also, the soup can be stored in the refrigerator for convenience
or frozen for later use.
The cabbage soup diet is intended only for shortterm
weight loss. It is usually recommended as a quick
way to lose weight after holiday-related overeating or
to fit into an outfit for a special occasion. A few
Internet versions claim the cabbage soup diet can be
used for weight maintenance or for long-term nutrition.
A book published on the diet in 1997 and revised
in 2004 does contain an appropriate maintenance diet
intended for use after the seven-day soup diet.
The cabbage soup diet is safe for most adults in
good health who follow it no longer than seven days.
The diet should not be used by individuals with type 2
diabetes, eating disorders, or other disorders requiring
special diets without consulting a doctor or registered
dietitian. Dieters who do use this diet should be aware
that most of the weight they lose during the week is
water weight, and is easily regained when return to
their previous eating habits.
Due to the restrictive and repetitive nature of this
diet, it is difficult to sustain for any length of time. Such
diets are not useful for long-termweight loss and weight
maintenance. Frequent use could lead to yo-yo dieting,
which has been shown to be detrimental to health.
The cabbage soup diet does not include an
adequate balance of nutrients and may be too low in
calories to make it suitable for long-term use. Claims
that the diet can be used indefinitely or repeated within
three days of completing the first cycle should be
ignored as they are not safe.
The diet does not require spending large amounts
of time cooking or assembling ingredients, but it may
be difficult to follow when cooking for a family.
Side effects from the diet may include dizziness,
light-headedness, and flatulences (intestinal gas). The
latter may be a social risk due to embarrassment
related to passing gas in public. Common versions of
the soup recipe are high in salt. Dieters who must
restrict their sodium intake should discuss variations
with their physician.
