College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Cabbage Soup Diet


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How to Make Cabbage Soup Diet

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Add all ingredients to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the vegetables. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Put the spring back in your step with this light yet satisfying soup. Cooked cabbage is not only gentle and sweet, it is a cleansing and delicious addition to any diet. After celebrations, social events, and "living it up" sometimes you just want to live the simple life. Cleansing Cabbage Soup is the answer!

The Cabbage Soup Diet

In the 1980s, eating a diet of exclusively cabbage soup became quite popular as more and more Americans began to struggle with weight problems. This diet was notoriously low in calories, but the fibrous nature of both cabbage and celery gave dieters the illusion of fullness, which is very appealing for those with an unruly appetite. Celery is actually a negative calorie food meaning celery contains less calories than are burned by your body trying to digest it. Unfortunately, though eating a diet of exclusively cabbage soup may be filling, it is basically a crash diet that can lead to a person into a "feast or famine" pattern. Extremely low calorie diets ultimately cause a yo-yo diet effect that ends in weight gain. As much as we love cabbage soup, and recommend it for cleansing & weight loss, we don't recommend you go on an exclusively cabbage soup diet. However, including cabbage soup in one's diet can offer a light, healthy, and gentle cleanse after too much heavy eating.

Reduce Water Weight

Both cabbage and celery have diuretic properties, meaning that they help flush excess water out of the body. Often people who have a lot of Kapha dosha, the body type ruled by water and earth, tend to retain water especially in the late spring time when the climate is rainy and soggy. This kind of weather makes Kapha people feel dull, lethargic, and low energy. Celery is a bright, crunchy diuretic that can help you say goodbye to heavy water retention and hello to renewed lightness & energy!

Getting Back on Track

If you've been off your diet and eating unhealthy foods lately, Cabbage is a safety food that can get you back on track. If you've been feeling heavy and lethargic due to excessively rich foods, cabbage is a light and satisfying option. If you've been sick lately, cabbage is nourishing and supportive fare to help you recover.

Spiced to Cleanse

Curry powder improves circulation and thins the blood, cleansing the lymphatic system as well as all vessels and tissues. Its ability to move the blood dries dampness and increases heat. Turmeric's ability to support the liver while cleansing the lymphatic system make it an ideal herb for spring cleansing (along with beets and dandelions). The laxative and circulatory qualities of garlic are useful in cleansing regimens. It is also an expectorant, which means it can help clear out the lungs.

Goitrogens & Cabbage

Raw cabbage is goitrogenic, which means that it can lower thyroid function which is not good for people who have hypothyroid. When it is cooked however, the goitrogens break down so that you can enjoy them in moderation even for those with a hypothyroid condition.

WHAT IS CABBAGE SOUP DIET?

The Cabbage Soup diet was famous in the faxlore of the 1980s. While Ayurveda does not encourage a cabbage soup mono-diet, cabbage soup can be a healthy addition to a well-rounded diet. Here is the Ayurvedic version.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Cabbage Soup Diet Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Cabbage Soup Diet' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Metabolic Nature of Cabbage Soup Diet

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

Other

Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

, Bland Negative Calorie,
Aromatic

STRONG AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cabbage Soup Diet
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

,
General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

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Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

SEE ALL 'MAKES-YOU-TIRED' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Polysaccharides, Vitamin K, Sulphur, Potassium, Vitamin C, Soluble Fiber,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

, Sodium,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Folate,
Salicylates

SALICYLATES

Salicylates relieve inflammation, are anti-cancer, and antidiabetic, but some are allergic to it.

SEE ALL 'SALICYLATES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cabbage Soup Diet

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Cholagogue, Flushes-membranes, Refrigerant, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Relaxes-eyes

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Salt (Mineral Salt)

    Salt (Mineral Salt) has these Actions in Common

    Soothes-throat, Digestive, General-laxative, Stool-softener, Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant, Strengthens-resolve, Cholagogue, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Carminative, Diuretic, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Lime

    Lime has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, Flushes-membranes, Refrigerant, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Celery Seed

    Celery Seed has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cabbage Soup Diet

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mugwort

    Mugwort has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Flushes-membranes, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Galactagogue, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Relieves-burning, Relieves-tension, Soothes-throat, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Stool-softener, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Hops

    Hops has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam)

    Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Carminative, Cholagogue, Digestive, General-laxative, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Root

    Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Galactagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy

    Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant, Relieves-tension, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Comments & Impressions of 'Cabbage Soup Diet'

Do you like 'cabbage soup diet'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'cabbage soup diet'?

(4.00 out of 5 stars) 4 ratings, 2121 likes
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“Some have asked about liquid for this soup...the water in the celery and cabbage form the liquid."
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-07-21
“Yes, you could use red cabbage. Let us know how it comes out!"
Janine Erie, CO
2019-04-01
“The photo has carrots in it but they are not listed in the recipe ingredients - can I add carrots?"
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2019-04-08
“You can add carrots, enjoy!"
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