44 What is the "TJ Soup diet" (a.k.a. "The Sacred Heart Hospital Diet" or "Cabbage Soup Diet")?
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This article is from the Diet FAQ, by Claudia McCreary cookignnewsletter@chef.net with numerous contributions by others.
44 What is the "TJ Soup diet" (a.k.a. "The Sacred Heart Hospital Diet" or "Cabbage Soup Diet")?
The "TJ Soup" diet (also known as the "Sacred Heart Hospital Diet" or
"Cabbage Soup Diet") purports to take off 10-17 pounds within one week
through the use of a "miracle" vegetable soup, along with a strict rotating
diet of fruits and vegetables, meat, and brown rice. The soup may be eaten
as often as desired. Alcohol, carbonated drinks (including those made with
artificial sweeteners), and fried foods are not allowed. Although the diet
is adequate in vegetables (from the soup) and features fruit on several
days, it is not well balanced. Day 5, for example, calls for 10-20 ounces of
beef or skinless chicken, 6 tomatoes, and the soup. Aside from brown rice on
the 7th day, no grains are permitted. Dairy products, which many women use
to increase their calcium intake, are not allowed except on day 4, when
you're supposed to consume 8 glasses of skim milk (along with 6 bananas and
the soup). While you probably can lose weight on this diet, you should keep
in mind that: 1) the first several pounds lost on any dit are usually water
weight, not fat, and 2) almost any diet which forbids you to eat your usual
foods will cause at least temporary weight loss. Although this diet has been
repeatedly linked with one hospital or another (allegedly recommended for
heart patients awaiting surgery), it is highly unlikely that any reputable
medical practitioner or organization would recommend such a diet. (Check out
the American Heart Association's position on this and other fad diets at
http://www.amhrt.org/pubs/phoney.html.) The full text of the diet is
available via WWW at http://kxan.com/special.html for the insatiably
curious.
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