Regarding the origins of the cabbage soup diet, we know almost nothing, some people say that the cabbage soup diet has been developed in the US hospitals while some others say that Belgian university hospitals created this kind of diet - a friend of mine made this "diet soup" in a Belgian hospital fifteen years ago. Some other people call this diet "The Dolly Parton diet".

Anyway, the supposed creators of this popular diet refute being part of this weight loss diet even while many hospitals used it to help obese patients to quickly lose weight before undergoing a surgery.

The results of this diet are a spectacular miracle: -10 pounds in one week!

The principle of the Cabbage Soup combines the cabbage soup, known for their slimming qualities and fruits, vegetables, meat, sometimes in unlimited quantities but not at the same time neither the same day.

Cabbage is known for having weight loss stimulating properties, by regulating the metabolism of sugar and fat and is rich in vitamin C, potassium and fibre. The fibres are indispensable to a good intestinal transit.

Peppers and tomatoes provide vitamins A & C and potassium. Carrots provide vitamin A and beta carotene while celery provides us with fibre and potassium. Onions are also rich in potassium, fibre and protein.

You may be thinking that this soup is a bit acid and you are right, so you are allowed to replace tomatoes and/or peppers by zucchini.

The basic recipe is the following one:

Ingredients:

• 1 white cabbage, chopped
• 2 sliced green peppers
• 1 kilo sliced carrots
• 6 large white onions, chopped
• 4 stalks celery
• 1 or 2 cans chopped peeled tomatoes
• 1 or 2 teaspoon vegetable soup mix
• Pepper, herbs to taste

Directions:

Putt all vegetables in a big pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil until all the vegetables are soft. Do not add salt.

Eat as much soup as you like and as often as you want.

You maybe think that the cabbage soup is not appetizing... But there are some ways to improve its taste. We will talk about different recipes in another article.

The diet lasts for seven days and, while you eat cabbage soup every day, each day you have to eat something different:

• Day 1: Fruits
• Day 2: Vegetables + 1 potato for dinner
• Day 3: Fruits and vegetables but NO potato
• Day 4: Bananas
• Day 5: Fish or Chicken + tomatoes
• Day 6: Steak + vegetables
• Day 7: Vegetables + rice (for dinner)

Unfortunately, the Cabbage Soup diet may lead to nutritional deficiencies; therefore, it is advisable to combine this diet with protein supplements such as drinking at least a homemade protein milkshake once a day.

Here is an easy to do recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4/5 glass skim milk
• 1/5 glass pure apple juice (no canned juice!)
• 2 tablespoon of protein powder
• Fruits
• 1 teaspoon aspartame

Directions:

Blend all the ingredients.

About the author:

Prosperity66 is an European History, Holidays and Tarot cards passionate. She writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects.