07/25/2025
The Resurgence of the Cabbage Soup Diet. Its origins and why it's so popular.
The cabbage soup diet, which is a radical weight loss plan that first gained notoriety in the 1980s, is experiencing a surprising resurgence in popularity.
This fad diet, which promises rapid weight loss of up to 10 pounds in just seven days through heavy consumption of a low-calorie cabbage-based soup, has once again captured public attention through social media platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag has been trending.
Where and when did the cabbage soup diet start.
The exact origins of the cabbage soup diet are somewhat murky, some records suggest it dates back to at least the 1950's. The diet gained significant popularity in the 1980's when it spread as "faxlore", photocopied sheets of diet instructions that were shared via fax machines and office memos. I myself ate this for a full week, it did help detox me, before detox was a thing, and I did lose a bit of weight. I received this diet at work, from a fax.
The cabbage soup diet is a highly restrictive seven-day plan that involves:
1. Eating homemade cabbage soup as the primary food source.
2. Gradually introducing other low-calorie foods on specific days.
A typical weekly plan looks like this:
Day 1: Unlimited cabbage soup and fruit (except bananas) 🍌
Day 2: Soup and vegetables (no potatoes) 🥔
Day 3: Soup, fruits and vegetables (no potatoes or bananas)
Day 4: Soup, skim milk, and bananas 🍌
Day 5: Soup, lean beef or chicken, and tomatoes 🍅
Day 6: Soup, beef and vegetables 🥒
Day 7: Soup, brown rice, and fruit juice 🥤
The soup recipe typically includes cabbage along with other low-calorie vegetables like onions, tomatoes, celery, and carrots . Daily calorie intake is estimated to be about 1,000-1,200 calories—far below the recommended intake for most adults.
Why is this soup getting popular again?
I know why I used it.
# 1. In an era of instant gratification, the appeal of losing up to 10 pounds in a week remains strong, especially before special events or vacations. As one blogger noted: "I'm going to Disneyland next week and decided that I didn't want to take my muffin top with me".
# 2. Platforms like TikTok have given new life to old diet trends, with the hashtag bringing the diet back into public consciousness.
# 3. The diet requires only inexpensive ingredients and simple preparation, making it accessible . As one nutritionist noted, "I think it's because the concept was simple".
# 4. Some view the diet as a way to "cleanse" or "reset" their system, despite lack of scientific evidence supporting detox claims. This was the main reason I used this diet.
# 5. New versions like the high-protein cabbage soup diet (which includes chicken, beans, and MCT oil) have made the regimen more palatable and potentially more effective for some.
Some cons for this diet.
Most of the weight lost is water weight and glycogen stores rather than fat, with quick regain likely once normal eating resumes.
The diet lacks adequate protein, healthy fats, and many essential vitamins and minerals.
Severe calorie restriction can decrease metabolic rate by up to 23%, making future weight loss more difficult.
Side affects include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, gas, bloating, and in some cases, gallstones from rapid weight loss.
Registered dietitian Priya Tew warns: "This diet is unbalanced and will not provide all the nutrients you need... It is also known to be a diet with side effects of lots of wind". 🌬️
Medical professionals advise that these people should avoid this diet.
People with diabetes (due to blood sugar fluctuations)
Those with a history of eating disorders
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Individuals with gallbladder issues
Anyone with chronic health conditions
As Hannah Alderson, a registered nutritionist, starkly puts it: "The cabbage soup diet is for no one, particularly those with hormonal dysfunction, who are pregnant, breastfeeding or with a history of disordered eating".
The cabbage soup diet may deliver short term weight loss, yet nutritional experts agree it's not a healthy or sustainable approach. Medical News Today summarizes: "At best, the cabbage soup diet may lead to the temporary loss of a few pounds, though this weight loss is likely to be both temporary and less healthy".
For those seriously seeking lasting weight management, experts recommen the Mediterranean diet plan that include a variety of nutrient dense foods. As with any significant dietary change, consulting a healthcare professional before starting is strongly advised.
This cycle of extreme diets like the cabbage soup points out our obsession with quick fixes for weight loss.
As our knowledge of nutrition continues to grow, evidence supports a balanced, doable way to better health and wellness without these drastic short term weight loses.
Please, talk with a doctor before trying the cabbage soup diet. Even with a doctor’s supervision, people should not follow the diet for longer than 1 week.
If you'd like to try the new high protein diet:
Burn Belly Fat Fast With the New High-Protein Cabbage Soup Diet https://share.google/Hkg7MseRzh8LKbgUq
