This soup recipe claims to help you lose 15 pounds in a week

Divas Can Cook

Sure, everyone wants a lean and toned body, but the truth of the matter is that most people simply don’t put in the effort to have the type of physique they want. Cue the fad diets!

If you’re a serial dieter, chances are you’ve stumbled across the so-called General Motors diet and the “wonder soup” recipe it calls for.

It’s been around for quite some time. Long story short — the diet was supposedly created back in 1985 to help General Motors employees lose weight.

general motors logo photo
Getty Images | Bill Pugliano

While no one knows the true origins of this diet, some people still stand by the plan, which claims to help you lose up to 15 pounds in one week. The diet is supposed to help you lose weight, get rid of toxins, aid in digestion and help your body shed excess fat.

weight loss photo
Flickr | Tanvir Sajib

Here’s how it works: The GM diet requires seven days of strict dieting. For example, on day one, you can only eat fruit, except for bananas. On day four, you can only eat bananas, milk and yogurt. You can’t have beans, high-calorie beverages, soda or alcohol throughout the diet. And you can be sure that no foods that have come near a deep fryer are allowed either.

But there’s one food you can eat as much of as you please: the miracle weight-loss cabbage soup.

Adobe

RELATED: 7 Healthy (And Delicious!) Breakfast Recipes Under 350 Calories

The chart below from Divas Can Cook lists the eating rules for each day:

Divas Can Cook

This soup can be prepared in a variety of ways in the kitchen, but basically, it’s made up of water, onions, green peppers, diced tomatoes, celery, shredded cabbage and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer it all in your favorite big soup pot from your cookware set and you’ll have a tasty soup in no time.

It’s a healthy vegetable soup that’s perfect for winter or whenever you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting.

Adobe

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable in the same family as kale and broccoli. The veggie contains a chemical that has been found in some studies to help prevent cancer. Plus, it provides a good dose of fiber and vitamin K.

Adobe

An easy recipe, complete with a video tutorial (and why this blogger loves this particular diet for when she’s looking to quickly lose weight) can be found on Divas Can Cook.

“This diet is GREAT for the start of a real diet/eating plan,” the blogger writes. “Sometimes you just need a jumpstart, a cleanse, a boost of confidence on the scale.”

In other words — a steady diet of solely cabbage soup simply isn’t healthy or realistic.

Adobe

While the diet promotes eating fruits and vegetables and eliminates specific foods and beverages known to cause weight gain, there’s no research to support the fact that it actually works.

Adobe

Moreover, it’s not well-balanced, which can lead to hunger and feeling deprived. No one likes that!

Not to mention, the diet lacks some essential nutrients, depending on which day you’re on.

Adobe

Bottom line? It’s a crash diet that won’t provide you the type of successful, long-term weight loss you’re looking for. It is, however, a tasty soup, so if you’re looking for a low-calorie meal on a cold winter day, give this recipe a try!

Adobe

In less than an hour, you can make five days of delicious, filling meals that your whole family will love:

Food, Health, Recipes
, , ,

Related posts

kitten looking up at camera
Human foods that are safe for your cat to eat
What is the 800-gram fruit and vegetable challenge?
Dolly Parton
How to make Dolly Parton's creamy vegetable Stampede Soup
Here's what you need to know about lecithin and weight loss

About the Author
Chelsea Davis
Chelsea is a freelance journalist based in New York City whose passion revolves around traveling the world, immersing herself in foreign cultures, and of course, eating and drinking everything delicious. She covers all things food, drink and travel and is always up for an adventure, whether that means an adrenaline-pumping excursion or trying a new cuisine. Follow her on Instagram at @cheycheyfromthebay and keep up with her latest work at www.chelseadavis.com.

From our partners