Over the years, a number of fad diets have come and gone, but a few have remained 'mainstays' in the fitness industry.

The Cabbage Soup Diet is one of them. Here, you're supposed to** lose as much as ten pounds a week** because for seven days, you will have a diet of cabbage soup (made of cabbage, onions, celery, water and green peppers).

For those who are interested in trying this out, here are the pros and cons of the** cabbage soup diet:**
Pros:
• Inexpensive and it lasts for only one week.

• No fitness requirements or calories to count.

Cons:
• The Cabbage Soup diet is not healthy - that's why it is only recommended for 7 days - after which you need to go back to your **regular diet. **

• You can't eat out, and the eating plan is very strict.

• You can't drink alcohol for 7 days.

• The diet causes gastrointestinal problems for many dieters.

As you can see, the cons far outweigh the pros - so the cabbage soup diet is really not for everybody. Learn as much information as you can about it to determine whether this type of **'fad' diet **is suitable for you - or not.

Photo Credit: Kym

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Dear Claire, thank you so much for the advice! You saved my whole week! Thank you! :)

I extremely hated this diet, because it was hard to leave the house unless I brought out a thermos of soup... Also because it was incredibly strict once it was done I binged like crazy because I was missing all types of foods and therefore simply gained all the weight back. I definitely would NOT recommend this to anyone unless they're used to simply having little energy and eating so little

I am on Day 3 of the Cabbage Soup diet. I have already lost 4 lbs and feel great! So big deal-you prepare a little, just get you food for the week and do it! I feel that I am building my discipline and getting a fresh start. If all I am losing is water weight- that's fine with me. Getting married in 2 months so I am thrilled to start a healthy routine od eating right and excecise after my 7 days. My goal is to lose 10 lbs and then I have to maintain it! I totally recommend this diet!

While I don't think that crash diets of any kind are good, the cabbage soup is actually quite tasty :) and it's a nice, healthy snack. but as part of your REGULAR diet - just replace something not so healthy with a bowl of this veggie soup.

I have been on it for 4 days now and have only lost 1 lb my cousin is doing it also and she hasn't lost any. We have both been strict about it and still nothing. Coworker who has done it several times can't believe neither of has lost more weight. We have already been eating healthy and working out just wanted to drop alot for a trip I'm taking. Claire I see what you are saying about the cravings, we have had more cravings than any other times. Both of us are alot more tired and low energy this week, to the point neither have the energy to go to the gym. What's the point? We are both going off of it and going back to eating how we were & working out. Both have dropped a pant size in 4 weeks doing it the RIGHT WAY....the HEALTHY way. After trying it I wouldn't suggest doing this. Just my opinion.

Thanks for information about cabbage soup diet..

Dear Claire, It didn't work for you because (like you said) you ate all the foods you were craving after the diet was over..The cabbage diet is not for losing weight fast in one week and then eat whatever you want..It is to jump start weightloss..you must be strict with yourself in order to maintain a healthy weight afterwards. I don't understand why people think they can lose all this weight and keep it off when they go right back to their old eating habits..it doesn't work that way people!

How can veggies and fruit be unhealthy? I have been on the diet for a week (and I never stay on a diet long) I lost 8.8 pounds. Im doing it untill I have lost all the fat!

I simply do not see how it can be bad for you? Except that you will be sick and tired of this soup in 2 days, I do not see anything dangerous in the ingridients... And I am pretty sure it works too.