The Cabbage Soup Diet

This seven-day diet (also called “The Dolly Parton Diet” for reasons still unknown) promises to shed at least ten pounds, largely because of its low-fat, high-fiber content. The regimen is very strict, and the menu consists of cabbage and another viand.

      Recipe for Cabbage Soup

      1 head cabbage, shredded or chopped

2 large onions, chopped

16-28 ounces canned tomatoes, chopped

2 green peppers

4 stalks celery

1-2 packages Lipton onion soup mix, or any dry onion soup mix (optional)

black pepper

any fresh herb(s) of your choice, chopped

6 carrots, sliced

1/2 pound green beans, sliced on diagonal

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (optional)

Put all vegetables in a big pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, stir in the soup mix (if desired), and boil gently for 10 minutes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until all the vegetables are soft. Stir in the black pepper and chopped herbs (saving some for garnish).

      Seven-Day Menu

§         Day one: cabbage soup and all fruit except bananas

§         Day two: cabbage soup, vegetables, baked potato (no butter!), and no fruit

§         Day three: cabbage soup, vegetables, fruits, no baked potato

§         Day four: cabbage soup, bananas and skim milk

§         Day five: cabbage soup, beef, and tomatoes 

§         Day six: cabbage soup, beef and vegetables, no potatoes

§         Day seven: cabbage soup, brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice, and vegetables

That’s a lot of cabbage soup, and by the end of the week, you’ll never be able look at a bowl the same way again. Those who have tried it advise drinking plenty of water, taking a good multivitamin, and adding spices to the soup to make it palatable and inject a little variety over the days. Some suggest curry garnished with mint leaves (for a Morrocan twist), chopped cilantro, chili powder, cumin (for a Southwestern flavor, oregano and basil with a little garlic (for Italian flavor), shrimp or fish bouillion, soy sauce and fresh bean sprouts (for a taste of the Oriental), chanterelle mushrooms and rosemary or thyme (for a French taste, though you need to omit the tomatoes). Other variations include changing the consistency of the soup from day to day—chunky like a minestrone, or pureed and eaten cold.

      Some dieters complain of light-headedness and a general feeling of weakness, so this is not something you should do during a stressful week. And it should never, ever be done beyond seven days, since the abrupt weight loss can be unhealthy beyond that period.