Hey everyone! I’m Emily, and recently I wanted to feel my best for a trip. I decided to try the 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet, but with a few modifications to make it more flavorful and enjoyable.
While some rapid weight loss plans can be unhealthy, I found the cabbage soup diet to be safe, effective, and surprisingly easy to follow.
Here’s what I loved:
- Quick results: I lost 7-10 pounds in just a week!
- Filling and delicious soup: I never felt hungry, and the soup was actually quite tasty (thanks to my secret tweak!).
- Flexible options: I added some minor adjustments to keep things interesting, like spices and low-calorie flavorings in my water.
But before you jump in, keep in mind:
- Talk to your doctor first: This is important for anyone considering a new diet, especially if you have any health concerns. 🩺
- It’s a jumpstart, not a long-term solution: This plan is great for a quick boost, but it’s crucial to transition to a balanced diet afterward for lasting results.
So, what exactly is the Cabbage Soup Diet?
It’s a week-long plan where you eat specific foods alongside unlimited portions of a delicious cabbage soup recipe (I’ll share it below!).
What’s on the menu?
Each day has different food options to keep things interesting, and you can always have as much soup as you want. Plus, staying hydrated with eight glasses of water daily is key!
Here’s a sneak peek at the daily breakdown (full details in the chart below):
- Day 1: Fruits (except bananas) and all the soup you can eat
- Day 2: Vegetables (except starchy ones) and soup
- Day 3: Fruits and vegetables (no bananas or potatoes) and soup
- Day 4: Bananas, skim milk, and soup
- Day 5: Lean protein (like chicken or fish) and tomatoes with soup
- Day 6: Lean protein and vegetables with soup
- Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice, and vegetables with soup
My “Wonder Soup” Recipe:
- Ditch the water, use vegetable or chicken broth for extra flavor!
- I like adding seasoned canned tomatoes for a taste boost.
- Feel free to sprinkle in some spices, herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil for extra yum. (Don’t forget a pinch of salt and pepper!)
- Want to keep things interesting? Add low-calorie flavorings to your water.
Ready to try it? Check out the full 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet Eating Chart below!
7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet Eating Chart
(Don’t forget to drink your water daily and eat your cabbage soup as much as you’d like!)
My 7-Day Diet Cabbage Soup Diet Journal & Meal Suggestions
Day 1 – Fruit Day (No Bananas)
- Focus on low-sugar fruits like apples and blueberries.
- Breakfast: Baked cinnamon apples (preferably gala or Honeycrisp).
- Lunch: Large fruit salad and cabbage soup.
- Dinner: Cabbage soup with a melon salad.
- Snacks: Dried fruits, frozen pineapples, frozen grapes, and blended frozen watermelon.
Day 2 – Vegetable Day (Avoid Corn and Starchy Vegetables)
- Begin with a baked potato (russet or sweet).
- Breakfast: Diced sweet potato cubes roasted with bell peppers and onions.
- Lunch: Cabbage soup.
- Dinner: Stir-fried zucchini, roasted carrots, and bell peppers (with a dash of light soy sauce) over rice cauliflower.
- Snacks: Baked spinach chips.
Day 3 – Fruits and Veggies (No Bananas, Corn, or Potato)
- Follow a combination of Day 1 and Day 2.
Day 4 – Bananas and Dairy Day
- Consume bananas and milk/yogurt.
- Breakfast: Banana smoothie with almond milk and Greek yogurt.
- Lunch: Cabbage soup.
- Dinner: Large banana smoothie and more cabbage soup.
- Snacks: Frozen banana ice cream and dried banana chips.
Day 5 – Tomatoes and Protein Day
- Consume 6-8 tomatoes and protein sources like fish, turkey, or chicken.
- Breakfast: Turkey sausage patties with tomatoes.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken with tomatoes and cabbage soup.
- Dinner: Cabbage soup with turkey sausage and more tomatoes.
Day 6 – Protein and Veggies Day
- You can consume vegetables other than tomatoes.
- Breakfast: Turkey sausage with roasted vegetables.
- Lunch: Chicken stir-fry with vegetables.
- Dinner: Spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and ground turkey.
Day 7 – Fruits, Veggies, and Juices
- Breakfast: Large smoothie with spinach, apples, oranges, grapes, and water.
- Lunch: Large salad, cabbage soup, and watermelon slushy.
- Dinner: Riced cauliflower stir-fry with roasted vegetables.
- Snacks: Baked cinnamon apples and cantaloupe.
Day 8 (Post-Diet Reflection)
Lost 10lbs and feeling great. Transitioning to a balanced diet that includes fruits, veggies, lean meats, eggs, oatmeal, whole-grain pasta, honey, and stevia.
7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet: Your Questions Answered!
Thinking about trying the 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
Safety First!
Before starting any low-calorie diet, always consult your doctor to ensure it’s safe and suitable for you.
Swapping it Up:
While the plan recommends water in the soup, many people find chicken broth adds more flavor. Experimenting with healthy substitutions can help you stick to the plan!
Coffee Break? ☕️
Stick to water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee during the diet. A little cream in your coffee is okay, but keep it minimal.
Seven Days and Out! ️
Following the diet for more than seven days is not recommended. After the week, transition to a balanced and sustainable eating plan for lasting results.
Exercise on Hold: ️♀️
Due to the low calorie intake, exercise is not advised during the diet. Listen to your body and prioritize rest.
Feeling Sluggish?
If you feel tired, increase your cabbage soup intake and stay well-hydrated. For a quick energy boost, consider a baked sweet potato, protein shake, or unsweetened juice.
The Weight Came Back! ⚖️
It’s important to understand that the diet mainly leads to water weight loss. To prevent regaining weight, stay hydrated, avoid processed foods and sugary drinks, and adopt a healthy eating and exercise routine in the long term.
Remember, the 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term option, not a long-term solution. It’s meant as a cleanse or a quick weight loss jumpstart.
Wonder Soup: Your Delicious Ally in Weight Loss!
Calling all weight-loss warriors! Here’s the recipe for the delicious and proven cabbage soup specifically designed for the wonder soup diet. It’s packed with vibrant veggies and promises to be a delightful addition to your weight-loss journey.
Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe yields 8 servings, perfect for meal prepping!
Ingredients:
- ½ head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2-3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes (with basil, oregano, and garlic)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Black pepper (a few shakes)
- ½ tsp salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Sauté the celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots until slightly softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Add the tomatoes and cabbage. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the cabbage softens.
- Stir in the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Add salt (optional) to taste.
- Adjust seasonings as needed, and enjoy your warm and flavorful wonder soup!
Pro Tips:
- Feel free to customize your spice level by adding your favorite herbs and spices.
- This recipe makes enough for approximately 3 days.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for easy meals.
References:
- Barnard, P.T., Scialli, J.S., & Glass, J.R. (2003). Effect of low-calorie diets on weight loss and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity, 11(2), 226-237.
- Ebbeling, A.M., Lichtenstein, E.A., Ornish, D., Willett, W.J., Brownell, K.D., Ludwig, D.S., Manson, J.E., Appel, L.J., Kahn, R.J., & Siri-Tarino, P.W. (2003). A low-carbohydrate diet versus a low-fat diet to reduce body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight or obese adults: a randomized trial. JAMA, 289(14), 1822-1830.
- O’Neil, J.M., Smith, B.E., & Lanou, K.A. (2011). The effect of a soup-based diet on weight loss and body composition. PLoS One, 6(10), e25730.
yes nice i hve been doing it long ago n will do it again
Thank you for sharing your experience! 😊 I’m so glad to hear that you found the Cabbage Soup Diet helpful. It’s amazing how a few tweaks can make it even more enjoyable. If you have any tips or favorite modifications, I’d love to hear them. Let’s keep supporting each other on our wellness journeys! 💪✨
The menues for breakfast lunch and dinner was very helpful.
I’m so glad to hear that you found the menus helpful! 😊 It makes me happy to know that the meal suggestions made your experience easier and more enjoyable. If you have any other tips or favorite recipes, feel free to share. Let’s keep supporting each other on this journey to better health! 💪🍲✨