The Cabbage Soup Diet – Recipe and Instructions

The running myth suggests that the cabbage soup diet originated at a hospital as a pre-surgery diet for grossly overweight patients, but no medical organization has claimed it as their own to date. The consensus is that the diet is effective for temporary weight loss and as a way to ‘reset’ your perspective with regard to daily caloric intake. However, it is not a nutritionally sound plan and definitely not one to live on.

Ingredients

• 1 large head cabbage – shredded or chopped
• 1 bunch green onions – chopped
• 16-28 ounces canned tomatoes – chopped
• 2 green peppers – chopped
• 1 bunch celery – chopped
• 1-2 packages Lipton onion soup mix (dry)
• fresh herbs – chopped
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Making The Soup

Put all vegetables in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, stir in the soup mix, and boil gently for 10 minutes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until all the vegetables are soft. Stir in the soup mix, salt, black pepper and chopped herbs (saving some for garnish) to taste.

Eat as much of the soup as you like, as often as you like. The more you eat the more you lose. You must, however, eat at least one bowl of soup each and every day. Here’s what else you can eat, and when:

Day 1 – Fruits

All fruits (except bananas). And the Cabbage Soup.

Day 2 – Veggies

All vegetables – except corn and beans (no starchy vegetables—green beans are fine), raw or cooked. You may also have 1 medium baked potato with a LITTLE butter for dinner. And the Cabbage Soup.

Day 3 – Fruits and Veggies

Combine days 1 and 2 (all the fruits and vegetables you want), but no potato. And the Cabbage Soup.

Day 4 – Milk and Bananas (w/ Bran)

Bananas and skim milk – eat as many as 6 bananas and drink as many as 6 glasses of skim milk. You may also have up to 1 cup of bran if needed. Don’t forget at least one bowl of cabbage soup.

Day 5 – Beef and Tomatos

Beef (ground or steak) – as much as 20 ounces, total. You can also eat up to 6 tomatoes. And you must drink 8 glasses of water. Don’t forget at least one bowl of cabbage soup.

Day 6 – Beef and Greens

All the Beef and GREEN vegetables you want (no starchy vegetables). Must drink 8 glasses of water and eat at least one bowl of cabbage soup.

Day 7 – Rice and Veggies (w/ juice)

1 cup of cooked brown rice, non-starchy vegetables, and up to 8 ounces unsweetened fruit juice. And cabbage soup of course.

Diet Weight Loss Details

Results will vary, but (assuming strict adherence) women should expect to lose anywhere from 9-13 pounds during the 7 day diet period. Men should expect to lose anywhere from 13-20 pounds during the 7 day diet period.

**As with any diet, care is required and you should consult your physician before trying the diet, especially if you have any health concerns.