The Cabbage Soup Diet is a low-calorie Cabbage Soup to be consumed over a period of 7 days. This is designed for Short-term Weight-Loss only.

Celebrities who have be known to have used the Cabbage Soup Diet are Sarah Michelle Gellar as well as Emmy winner Jaime Pressly. The Cabbage Soup Diet is a low-fat and high fibre diet and is a great way to lose weight fast especially if there is any special occasions coming up, although it's not suitable for long term Weight-Loss, but it will help you to commence on a balanced long term eating plan.

There are some highs to the Diet and there are some lows to this diet:

Highs: The good thing about this Diet is you can eat as much of the food in the plan as you like and you will lose weight very quickly. The Diet should only be followed for seven days however it will give you a motivation to start a more moderate diet.

Lows: Some people have proclaimed that when they followed The Cabbage Soup Diet they felt weak and light headed. Some people also found the Diet boring.

Cabbage Soup Recipe

• 2 Green Peppers
• 3 Carrots
• 6 Large Green onions
• 1 or 2 Cans of Tomatoes (Diced or whole)
• Half a head of cabbage
• 1 Bunch of Celery
• 1 Container (10oz or so) of Mushrooms
• 1 48oz Can of V8 Juice (Optional)
• 1 Packet of Lipton Soup Mix (Onion)
• 1 or 2 Cubes of Bouillon
• Season to taste with Salt, Parsley, Pepper, Garlic or Currey Powder

Directions for making the Cabbage Soup

1. Slice green onions, place in a pan and start to saute with a little cooking spray.
2. Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green pepper into bite size pieces and add to pan.
3. Take off the outer layers of the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to the pan
4. Clean carrots, cut into bit size pieces and add to pan
5. Slice mushrooms into thick slices and add to pan
6. If you would like a bit of spice in your soup add a small amount of cayenne pepper or curry powder,
7. You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubed for seasoning (these have all the salt and flavours you will need
8. Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 Juice), cover and put heat on low. Let the soup cook for a long time- two hours will work well. Season with Salt and Pepper if needed.

The 7 day Cabbage Soup Plan

The Cabbage Soup Diet plan is very particular; the idea is to eat as much cabbage soup as you like on the diet each day to keep yourself full.

Day 1: Cabbage Soup and as much fruit as you like- excluding Banana's. Drink unsweetened tea, Black Coffee, Cranberry Juice or Water Eat as much soup as you like today.

Day 2: Cabbage Soup as you like also as much fresh, cooked or raw vegetables as you need. Avoid sweetcorn, peas and also dry beans. No fruit today!

Day 3: Cabbage Soup plus fruit and vegetables (excluding Banana's and Potatoes) - Combine days 2 & 3

Day 4: Cabbage Soup plus up to eight banana's and as much skimmed milk as you please.

Day 5: Cabbage Soup plus 10-20 (300g-500g) ounces of Beef and up to six tomatoes fresh or tinned. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water to wash away the Uric Acid from your body.

Day 6: Cabbage Soup plus as much beef and vegetables as you desire (excluding Potatoes)

Day 7: Cabbage Soup plus brown rice, vegetables (excluding Potatoes) and unsweetened fruit juice.

Many Recipes for the Cabbage Soup Diet vary but are all based on Cabbage, tinned Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Celery, Onions, Mushrooms and Onion Soup Mix.

Does the Cabbage Soup Diet actually work? This Diet is good for Short-term Weight Loss or for an occasion coming up but not recommended for Long-term as a result, any Weight Lost will likely be gained back when a person returns to their previous eating habits. This diet requires a lot of planning and regular trips down to the shops for the supplies of fruit and vegetables.

Is the Cabbage Soup Diet healthy? The use of the Soup mix and the stock will make this Diet very high in Salt, however this Diets ingredients are overall mostly healthy. The Cabbage Diet however lacks in essential fats, protein and carbohydrates. With the Diet only lasting for seven days this should not cause any long term health problems. People who do have special dietary needs including diabetics should consult a doctor before proceeding with the Diet.