The Cabbage Soup Diet is a fad diet that has caught on for years now. Often called the “Sacred Heart Diet” and the “Military Cabbage Diet”, the Cabbage Soup Diet’s real origin has yet to be determined. No one has verified where the diet came from and if it is designed for any group of people in particular but the fact that the diet is sill around after so many years have shown its potential applicability.

The Cabbage Soup Diet has a detoxifying effect on the dieter as the diet is similar to a fast. However, because of the dangerously low levels of protein and carbohydrates in the soup, this diet is not recommended for everyone. Sandy, who has undergone the diet in the past finds it very effective and she has in fact lost eight pounds in just one week. She said she desperately needed to find a diet that can help her lose the pounds in time for her wedding. Although the diet is effective, it is not easy and the dieter should be aware of the implications before undertaking the diet.

1. It Limits Your Food Intake to Cabbage
You don’t necessarily have to love cabbage but you must have at least tolerance for this green leafy vegetable. It can be very bland and the diet often asks for other ingredients like crushed tomatoes and a celery stalk. On some days, other fruits and vegetables are added to the diet and the dieter is encouraged to eat as much fruits and vegetables available. Some try to add spices to make it more palatable but all in all, cabbage soup can be very boring and tasteless.

2. It Can Cause Other Symptoms During the Diet
The diet can cause irritability and headaches. Some people reported of lack of concentration often associated with hunger. Often, the dieter thinks nothing but of eating and since the cabbage soup is mostly liquid, it cannot fill you up. The diet recommends eating as much of the soup as you can especially if you’re hungry but the monotony of the diet can be trying.

3. The Aftereffects
The Cabbage Soup Diet, being a fad diet can lead to a regain of weight the week after. The diet can leave the dieter feeling very deprived and he or she has the tendency to eat more in the following week. This will lead to a yoyo diet, with the person often resorting to the diet when the need arises.

4. Realistic Weight Loss
The dieter has to be realistic about the amount of weight that is lost. Although there is a considerable amount of weight loss that the dieter will experience, it will most likely be water weight and lean muscle tissue. There is no discernible loss in body fat and the dieter will most likely regain the weight back if he or she doesn’t add an exercise regime to the program.

5. Diet Not for Everyone
The Cabbage Soup Diet is not ideal for anyone. There are some people who can take the diet and follow through but there are also those who need constant affirmation that the diet is worth it. Most importantly, people who are experiencing medical and health problems prior to the diet should ask the advice of their physicians first before undertaking the diet.