The Cabbage Soup Diet is one of the easiest diets around, but there are still lots of questions that people need answered.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions about the diet:
Will I really lose weight on this diet?
Most people who stick to this diet lose between 7 and 10 pounds in one week. Some people lose as much as 17 pounds!
Am I allowed to make substitutions or put extra vegetables into the soup?
You can use extra spices or herbs in the soup if you’d like to add more flavor, but the best way to make sure you lose weight is to stick to the exact recipe.
I hate drinking water. Do I really have to drink 8 glasses a day?
The Cabbage Soup Diet only works if you stick to the exact plan. The water that you drink helps to keep you full and flushes out toxins. It’s important that you drink 8 glasses a day.
Am I allowed to drink coffee and tea while I’m on the diet?
You absolutely can drink either coffee or tea, and you’re encouraged to do so in order to avoid getting a headache from missing caffeine. Just don’t add any sugar, cream, artificial sweeteners or honey. You can’t have any sweeteners or extra fats during the diet.
I really want to lose a lot of weight. Can I exercise at the same time that I do this diet?
Exercising is not encouraged during the exercise. When you stick to the plan you are cutting yourself to about 1,000 or 1,200 calories a day, and you may feel faint if you exercise with so few calories in your system.
I don’t like cabbage. Is there anything I can use instead?
This diet really relies on using the cabbage because of its high fiber and low calories and sugar.
Do I have to count calories on the Cabbage Soup Diet?
No! One of the great things about this diet is that you can eat as much of all of the day’s foods as you want, without having to worry about calories or points.
Why can’t I have bananas on the first fruit day?
Bananas have a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, so it’s important that you reserve them for the one day that they’re allowed.
I don’t drink milk. What can I substitute for the skim milk that the plan calls for?
If you don’t eat dairy, you can substitute with either rice milk or soy milk. Just don’t use anything that is flavored or has added sugar.
I know I’m supposed to drink a lot of water, but what about diet soda? Does it count?
Lots of people are addicted to diet soda, but the artificial sweeteners work against the diet. Skip it for this week, and if you need the caffeine opt for black coffee or tea.
The diet is making me dizzy. I don’t want to quit! What should I do?
Some people don’t handle the diet’s lack of protein very well. If you’re feeling very weak or dizzy on the Cabbage Soup Diet, you can add a little bit of white meat chicken into the soup, or hard boil an egg each day and only eat the egg white. That should help a lot.
This diet is making me feel more than full. It’s making me feel bloated and I’m passing gas all the time. Why is that happening and what can I do?
The cabbage in the soup is what’s known as a cruciferous vegetable. Though that means that it’s very healthy and loaded with fiber it can also cause gas. Take a gas relief over-the-counter medicine like Beano or Gas-X.
I am being so good, but I’m not losing weight. Why?
When people are not losing weight on the Cabbage Soup Diet, it’s usually because they are taking in too much sodium. Don’t salt your food, and you may want to remake the soup with low sodium V-8 or low-sodium bouillon cubes.
I am a vegan. What can I use instead of the meat, fish or chicken on days 5 and 6?
You can use tofu or edamame instead of the animal protein.
I lost so much weight that I want to do it again! When can I go back on the diet?
It’s a good idea to wait two 2weeks before you go back to the Cabbage Soup Diet. You need to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients and calories to remain healthy.
