7-Day Diet Weight Loss Cabbage Soup
“How I lose 10 pounds in 7 days with this cabbage soup diet AKA Military diet!”
Watch me make this cabbage soup from start to finish!
2020 update: Yes! I am still using this cabbage soup to give me a jump-start to weight loss. I HATE it! But I LOVE IT! It helps that the soup is delicious, though!
I’m going to Disneyland next week and decided that I didn’t want to take my muffin top with me, especially since I have this cute form-fitting shirt that I want to wear so badly…. WITHOUT SPANX!!
When I need to lose my gut or 10 pounds quickly, I turn to three diets that never let me down; my green monster smoothie diet, The 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse and my newest love, the 7-day cabbage soup diet!!
Here’s Why I Adore The Cabbage Soup Diet:
- It works!! It’s not science. Cut your calories, unhealthy sugar, and starches for a period of time while drinking lots of water, and you’ll lose weight quickly.
- It’s quick!! By the morning of my 8th day, the scale is always 7-10 lbs lighter. My clothes fit differently, and my usually bloated gut is flat. I love it!!!
- I cheat!! I’ve discovered that I can cheat a bit on this diet. I’ve snuck a muffin in a few times. BEST. MUFFIN.EVER!! I’ve also used some condiments to spice things up.
- Great for pre-diets! This diet is GREAT for the start of a real diet/eating plan. You know, one where you eat a variety of healthy foods and a decent balance of calories. Sometimes you just need a jumpstart, a cleanse, or a boost of confidence on the scale. This diet does it!
Side Note: If you’re interested in trying the green monster smoothie, see how I prep my smoothies!
I know some people HATE these quick diets, but I love them! They work well for me, and the weight stays off as long as I eat a balanced post-diet. If you jump back to eating harmful sugars and carbs right away, you’re going to gain the weight back quickly.
Pace yourself. I mainly use this diet for quick weight loss for an event, the week before Thanksgiving, or to jump-start my spring dieting before swimsuit season.
As always, consult a doc before cutting your calories like this!
What is the 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet ??
OK, so let’s talk about the 7-day cabbage soup diet! It’s an old diet that has been around for YEARS and revised over and over again. You are likely to find several different versions online. It’s a short-term, weight-loss eating plan that involves, you guessed it, LOTS OF CABBAGE SOUP!
No worries, my jazzed-up version of the cabbage soup is delicious! Lately, these 7-day diets have become really popular. Even Dr. Oz has one. I first read about it on a blog I stumbled upon and thought I’d give it a try. I didn’t expect much, though. Now I’m hooked!
I NEVER thought I’d like this cabbage soup, but it’s so good!
What Else Can You Eat On The Cabbage Soup Diet?
That was my question as well!! I’m a greedy girl, and I need FOOD!!!! You can have unlimited cabbage soup (Thank GOD!!) and certain foods per day on the cabbage soup diet. Those “certain foods” are listed below.
How Much Weight Can You Lose On The Cabbage Soup Diet?
On the cabbage soup diet, most people lose between 5-10 pounds. For me, it’s usually in the 7-10 pound range. Everyone is different, though, just read the comments below, and you’ll see!
How Do You Do The 7 -Day Cabbage Soup Diet?
On the 7- day cabbage soup diet, you follow a specific eating plan every day. Along with eating these foods, you can have cabbage soup as often as you’d like. This soup is also called wonder soup, weight loss soup, miracle soup, and weight watcher soup. So many names for this soup!
This unlimited soup rule drew me to the 7-day cabbage soup diet. I love that I can eat this soup in unlimited quantities. I HATE being hungry, and I will not stick to any diet if I’m hungry. Point. Blank. Period. Don’t forget you MUST drink eight glasses of water each day. My results vary if I slack on water.
The Cabbage Soup Recipe ( Wonder Soup)
Now about this weight loss Cabbage Soup (Wonder Soup), most websites featuring this diet say you should boil the vegetables in water, uh…no ma’am!! I’ve always used chicken or vegetable broth with seasoned canned tomatoes, which has never hindered my weight loss.
Try to use the low-sodium versions if possible (I don’t. I’m a rule breaker.)
Let me just say there is NO WAY I would be eating this soup every day if I made it with water. Yuck!
Throughout the diet, I also use salt (very lightly), pepper, lots of herbs & seasonings, olive oil, and a tad of butter on potato day. I also add 0-5 calorie flavorings to my water to ensure I get in all my water if needed. These changes have never affected my results.
7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet Eating Chart
(Don’t forget to drink your water daily and eat your cabbage soup as much as you’d like!)
My 7-Day Diet Cabbage Soup Diet Journal & Meal Suggestions
(Update: I now add detox tea with a squirt of fresh lemon to my mornings. WOW is all I can say! Try it! I use Total Tea, but any detox tea will work)
Day 1- Eat nothing but fruit today (except for bananas) and as much of the diet cabbage soup as you’d like. You should try to stick with fruits with lower sugar content, like apples, blueberries, etc. I enjoy eating baked cinnamon apples (using gala or Honey crisp apples) in the morning, a large fruit salad and cabbage soup for lunch, cabbage soup, and a melon salad for dinner. Get your crunchy fix with dried fruits—snack on fruit throughout the day. Frozen pineapples and frozen grapes make delicious treats. Also, frozen watermelon blended makes a refreshing, natural slushy. Today wasn’t as bad as I’d expected.
Day 2- Eat nothing but vegetables (except corn or other starchy veggies). However, you get to start the day with a baked potato (russet or sweet). You will LOVE having this baked potato trust me! I never thought I’d be so happy to eat a baked potato in the morning! I prefer sweet potatoes. I dice my sweet potato into cubes for breakfast, sprinkle with a little olive oil and cinnamon, and roast it in the oven with some bell peppers and onions. I do cabbage soup for lunch, and a salad sprinkled with salt, pepper, and olive oil. It’s pretty good. I do rice cauliflower topped with a stir fry of zucchini, roasted carrots, and bell peppers with light soy sauce (cheating) for dinner. I snack on baked spinach chips. Today was ok.
Day 3- Today, you eat fruits AND veggies (except bananas, corn, and other starchy vegetables). You also don’t get a potato today, which sucks! I just do a repeat of days one and two for my food.
Day 4- Today, you eat only bananas and milk/yogurt. This day is the DUMBEST day by far. I hate it. You can just have bananas and milk or unsweetened yogurt. Boooooo, but let’s make the best of it! For breakfast, I do a banana smoothie made with bananas, almond milk, and Greek yogurt. I eat cabbage soup for lunch. For dinner, I do another large banana smoothie and more cabbage soup. I make banana ice cream by freezing banana slices and then blending them. I also eat some dried banana chips. It’s not that difficult of a day, very dull, and if you hate bananas, I feel sorry for you, hun.
Day 5- Today, eat only tomatoes (6-8) and protein like fish, turkey, and chicken. I had no problems with this day since I love meat and was happy to get it! I made turkey sausage patties for breakfast, topped with tomatoes. I had grilled chicken topped with tomatoes seasoned with salt, basil, pepper, and cabbage soup for lunch. I had more wonder soup for dinner, but I added turkey breakfast sausage and more tomatoes. Very filling. I got tired of the soup on this day. Ugh!!
Day 6- Today, it’s protein and veggies- Unlike yesterday, you can have other vegetables besides tomatoes. I had turkey sausage and roasted veggies for breakfast. I had a stir-fry with chicken and veggies for lunch, so good. I had spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and ground turkey for dinner. Spaghetti squash is off-limits (starchy), but I had to have it! Today was the best! I didn’t have any cabbage soup today because I was feeling over the cabbage.
Day 7- Today, it’s just fruits, vegetables, and juices. Booo!!!!! I hated today. I wanted more meat. Thank God it’s the last day. The scale says I’m 7 pounds lighter this morning, so that was great to see. I feel clean inside. I’m hungry today, though, super hungry! I make a huge fruit and veggie smoothie using spinach, apples, oranges, grapes, and water for breakfast. It was so divine and sweet! Kept me full until it was time for lunch! For lunch, I do a large salad, cabbage soup, and watermelon slushy. For dinner, I do another riced cauliflower stir fry with roasted veggies. I snack on baked cinnamon apples and cantaloupe.
Day 8- 10lbs down this morning, and I can see it!! My tummy is nice and flat, my face looks much slimmer, and my husband notices my weight loss. He’s not happy that my booty looks smaller. Neither am I! My fingers are thinner, and my wedding ring fits differently. Today I paced myself with food and will do so for the next week while on vacation: no sugary foods or bad carbs. I continue with a diet full of fruits, veggies, and lean meats. I’ve incorporated eggs, oatmeal, and whole-grain pasta. Honey and stevia make excellent sweeteners. My calorie intake is now at its recommended level for healthy weight-loss w/with exercise. I FEEL GREAT!!
Don’t Mess Up Your Beautiful Results!!!
Here are some of my favorite delicious and healthy snack recipes!
Italian Herb Baked Spinach Chips recipe
Healthy Ice-cream Sandwich Recipe (Strawberry Banana)
Healthy no-bake granola energy bites recipe. (Peanut-butter and chocolate)
HELPFUL CABBAGE SOUP DIET PRODUCTS
7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet FAQ
(Always talk to your doctor BEFORE starting a low-calorie diet such as this)
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the 7-day cabbage soup diet
I don’t eat what’s recommended. Can I substitute it with other foods? I don’t know because I’ve only replaced the water in the cabbage soup for chicken broth. Other than that, I follow the plan with a few cheats here and there. : ) There’s only one way to find out; try it and see!! And be sure to come back and let us all know how it worked out!
Can you drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? You’re only supposed to drink water, black coffee, or unsweetened herbal tea. I cheated with a tiny bit of coffee with cream a few times to avoid a headache.
I loved my results. Can I do this beyond seven days? It’s not recommended. Your body will start to hold on to weight if you cut it’s calories too much for an extended period. You’ll have better weight loss results if you complete this diet and then start on a balanced, healthy diet for your size while eliminating bad carbs and refined sugars.
Can I exercise on the cabbage soup diet? Not recommended. Your calories are minimal on the cabbage soup diet. Do not work out for the seven days while on this plan or a few days afterward. Contact your doctor before and after starting this diet if you need help figuring out the best plan for you.
I feel so tired of this diet, help! This diet may not be for you, especially if your days are high energy. The cabbage soup diet has low calories. Eat as much cabbage soup as you would like to keep your stamina up and drink plenty of water. If I start to feel sluggish, I cheat and have a baked sweet potato, a protein shake, or some juice.
I gained all my weight back shortly after completing this diet? 7-day diets work to eliminate mainly water weight, which is why the results are so quick. Be sure to continue drinking lots of water after the diet. If you stop with the water intake, your body will start to hold on to fluids again.
Pace yourself after the diet and eat small, frequent portions of fruits, veggies, and proteins: no refined sugars and bad carbs. Don’t stuff yourself either. Start with a balanced eating plan or lifestyle that will support average weight loss along with exercise. 7-day diets are mainly useful for cleanses, quick water weight loss, and pre-diet boosts.
Get the Recipe: 7-Day Diet Weight Loss Soup (Wonder Soup)
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 14 oz can basil, oregano, garlic diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- few shakes of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.
- Saute until slightly tender.
- Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook until cabbage is tender.
- Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)
- Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Jazz it up by adding lots of spices, herbs and a variety of veggies.
This makes enough for about 3 days.
Keeps well in the fridge for about 3 day.
Wanna Check Out More Diets & Cleanses I’ve Tried & Reviewed
10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse Review
Green Smoothie Diet
Sweet Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink
Looking for delicious healthy recipes? Check out my full collection here!
This post may contain affiliate link(s)
Breakdown:
Height 5’2
Weight 114lbs
Exercise 5 days a week
I am currently on Day 2. I have never tried a diet like this before as last summer when I saw myself balloon up to 130lbs I worked it down to around 111lbs with good ol’ hard work, eating right and exercise. However, this time around I am having great troubles accomplishing what I did before and have in fact gained back all that I had additionally lost from the last point up to now, sitting currently at 114lbs. I exercise regularly and am just hoping this week of diet/discipline will help give me the mental boost and ‘real results’ I need to see as I need that push again. I’m not sure based on my on my weight and height I will be able to drop a significant amount of pounds with this diet (frankly I would be lying if I said I wasn’t skeptical) but combined with exercise and the diet I will be back to update at the end of the 7 days!
Ps. The ‘real7daydiet’ website is more intense and goes into alot more detail. I’d suggest taking a read of that for possibly better results/understanding. (Like no yogurt on Day 4! Or just using water instead of chicken broth, but that just sound torturous)
Great recipe! Today is only my day 3 but I’m satisfied so far. Having a thyroid issue, plus working out 5 days a week for two months had only showed me a 2 pound weight loss. Plus I was stuck for weeks at the same weight. After 3 days the scale actually moved 4 pounds down so I’m ecstatic. It’s definitely motivation to stick with the diet.
Did this once again. I am on day 6 and from 182lbs on day 1 (5’8″) to 172 this morning. I have taken pictures every other day to keep me motivated and say “wow” when i look at how much my body (tummy/butt/thighs) are changing. And yet, I feel good on day 6. A little tired but still good. I have to say I have not followed this to a “T” (added tostitos, salsa twice this week, egg white with my veggies (on veggie day) and yogurt twice and still feel I have lost an amazing amount of weight. I did get on the treadmill once this week and walked a mile but that was it.
I am hypothyroid and no matter how little I ate, I could never lose more than 1-2 lbs. and it would return a day or two later. I am hoping on day 8 when I weight in I will see a loss of 13 lbs. and then I plan to take 3 days off to adjust my refrigerator to healthier foods so I can maintain. Overall, I hope after the two weeks to be down to 160-165 lbs. I know for sure I have to give up the sugar, it is a definite no no in any weight loss program.
I really need to loose 15 lbs before vacation in June and was wondering if it possible to do the diet two weeks straight or if I need to take a break in between?
I have a wedding to go to as well. I have done this before, and yes, it does work. If I remember right, the diet was originally created for heart patients that need to lose a lot of weight fast so they could go in for surgery.
Renee – I have done this for two weeks. It was about 8 years ago and in total lost 19 lbs. I wouldn’t go any longer than that.
You see – effectiveness will depend on how close to your ideal body weight you already are. Obviously, if you have a BMI of >30, then you’re likely to have the capacity to lose weight more quickly. If you’re down at 24, then it’s going to be a whole lot harder, but then you probably don’t need to lose it in the first place – shouldn’t, even.
I’m a guy and started this with a BMI of 31. I didn’t look obese because I’m tall and get away with it to some extent. Nevertheless, I was clearly overweight and probably with a lot of visceral fat (the really dangerous stuff).
7 days on this diet lost me 12.5 lbs (5.6kg), which is impressive.
Very few cheats – a few extra cooked vegetables with the protein & tomato day (but the same kind of veg. that’s in the soup anyway). A bit of beetroot on day 2. Swapped days 5 & 6 around. Nothing significant. Probably consumed about 2.5l-3l of water each day (85oz – 100oz).
I did some exercise too – two hard bike rides of about 4 miles and two sessions at the gym, including some weights work and some CV.
Anyway – very pleased with the result, though I know it’s totally unsustainable. Nevertheless – the principles are good. Largely reducing carbohydrates, not mixing protein & carbohydrates, drinking much more water, avoiding snacking & sugars, lots and lots of fruit & vegetables. Actually, I worked out about 14 different recipes that I could live on for ever. I like strong flavors, spicy food and a feeling of satisfaction, so I needed to factor these in to my recipe ideas. All done and I think it’s sustainable, when combined with the necessary exercise.
I have done this diet a few times over the years and have always done very well on it. So I lost the paper that my grandma had given me many many years ago when I was a teen which had the recipe and instructions on it….so I googled it and found this recipe. Its a little different then the original cabbage soup diet but sounded soooo much better! 🙂 I made it today and it is delicious! Even my toddler though it was yummy. Today is day one…..so we will see if it works about the same! 🙂
Day 4 and lost 5.5 pounds. Day 2 was the hardest for me but now, I am making a point of losing as much as I can. Cabbage soup is actually very good. My kids like it as well. So, I add quoina to their soup and they really enjoy it along with their regular dinner. I feel better already and the bloated feeling I had before starting this diet is going away. I am looking forward to see my final results and start my weight watchers diet to lose additional 10 pounds and I will be back to my normal self. Great diet!!!!
Hello,
Thanks everyone for the updates, it’s so inspiring. I’ve been doing this diet on an off for years, usually stopping at day 3. Can anyone tell me if you GAIN weight from day 4 by eating so many bananas which are a high sugar fruit? I’m tempted to go all the way for the 7 days, and possibly a little longer to drop 5 KG/11 Pounds. Thanks! 🙂