The Pros and Cons of the Cabbage Soup Diet
The cabbage soup diet has been hailed as a miracle diet that promotes weight loss of as much as 10-17 pounds per week. It is known by many names such as the “TJ Miracle Soup Diet”, “Spokane Heart Diet”, “Miracle Cabbage Soup Diet”, “Cleveland Clinic Diet” and the “Sacred Heart Diet”. Interestingly, there is no one to credit with the creation of the cabbage soup diet. One such theory about its’ origins comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital. Many sources believe that the cabbage soup diet was give to cardiac patients waiting for cardiac surgery as a radical weight loss regimen to minimize the risks associated with obese clients in the operating room. The hospital has made it clear that they do not want to be credited with the creation of the diet.
A cupful of cabbage soup will only cost you 72 calories per serving. You can make your own cabbage soup diet recipe at home with a few choice ingredients. Fresh vegetables are the best option to obtain the lowest amount of calories possible with the cabbage soup diet. Foods that are preserved in jars or cans are high in preservatives and sodium and these will only add unnecessary electrolytes in the body.
The cabbage soup diet only lasts for 7 days. All advocates propose that it should not be used for longer than a week because of the risk for nutritional deprivation. Children and adolescents are also not advised to undergo the cabbage soup diet as they are still growing and require more nutrients.
The 7 day cabbage soup diet plan allows you to eat an unlimited amount of cabbage soup throughout the day and still manage to lose weight. The first day allows you to eat as much cabbage soup and fruits (except bananas) as possible. The second day introduces cooked or raw vegetables and a large potato for dinner. On the third day, you get to eat fruits and vegetables except the potato. You can have bananas and skimmed milk on the fourth day with your soup. The fifth day entitles you to a bit of beef to consume along with your cabbage soup. An alternative to beef is chicken without the skin. The sixth day finally allows you to eat all the beef, vegetables and cabbage soup you want. Finally, the seventh day let’s you return brown rice to your diet.
People who cannot live without stuffing their mouths with food are great candidates for this diet. According to the cabbage soup diet, you can consume as much cabbage soup as you need to feel full throughout the day. Since cabbage is a rich source of fiber, you can lose weight while managing to feel full.
This diet is also perfect for those who only need to lose a few pounds in order to achieve their ideal body weight. For those who are still starting out, it is highly recommended that you find a physician to discuss your dietary concerns. Your physician may even be able add a few modifications to the cabbage soup diet o it can suit your needs.
Soup is mostly composed of water, so the dieter never feels thirsty throughout the day. When the ingredients used in the diet are low in sodium, dehydration is avoided and the dieter manages to stay well hydrated.
The most obvious flaw in the cabbage soup diet is that not everyone loves to drink cabbage soup for a full 7 days! Many cabbage soup diet advocates suggest putting various herbs to add variety to an otherwise bland diet. Herbs that come highly recommended include basil, rosemary, thyme, cayenne and cinnamon. These herbs can add a wide range of flavors for the dieter to choose from.
Another key disadvantage to the diet is that it lacks essential nutrients and sources of protein. While many nutritionists agree that starving your body for seven days will not pose serious health concerns in the near future, continuous use of the cabbage soup diet will make your body malnourished. Individuals who are deprived of essential nutrients have lackluster hair, dry skin, and poor cognitive abilities. While on the diet, be sure to consume some multivitamins.
Once the cabbage soup diet is over, many realize that they will regain majority of the weight they lost. The cause can be attributed to lost water weight and the body’s natural adaptive ability. When you consume nothing but water for several days, your body goes into starvation mode. During this mode, the body tries to preserve life functions by eating the lean muscle mass. Once you return to your normal eating patterns, the body begins to adapt by trying to regain the lost muscle mass and storing fat in order to prepare itself for the next cycle of starvation. Since you consumed foods that are extremely low in calories for a full seven days with few sources of protein, your body also tries to become accustomed living on fewer calories in order to survive. You need to slowly let your body adjust to your previous caloric intake so the rebound weight gain will not be as dramatic.
The body needs healthy sources of dietary carbohydrates and protein in order to function. Without a healthy source of dietary carbohydrate and proteins, the user will tend to feel irritable and lightheaded. People whose jobs are entirely dependent on their public relations will want to either stay away from their clients for a full week or risk losing a respected client due to her irritability.
Many have reported that they experience headache and lightheadedness while on the diet. Jobs that require critical thinking will also experience the negative effects of restrictive diets by experiencing less cognitive capabilities. While on the diet, you are also advised to exercise. You are already restricting your body from essential nutrients,, exercise will burn whatever essential nutrients you consumed.
An embarrassing side effect of cabbages is that it is extremely high in sulfur content. People who consume foods that are high in sulfur content tend to fart a lot throughout the day. You may find yourself farting in the most unusual of places- like your boss’ office while on an interview for example.