cabbage soup–my weight loss miracle food

When I started my weight loss journey, it was hard to go from eating whatever I wanted to suddenly limited what I ate.  For myself I needed a food that would satisfy my hunger, was good for me,  and that I could eat unlimited amounts of.  That is why I call it my “miracle food”   it is something that has helped me lose weight and keep it off, is good for me nutritionally, and has cured my over eating of foods that weren’t so good for me.

Cut up vegetables and fruit were great for snacking on and I ate plenty of those during the day while I was going about my work in the kitchen.  But when it came time to eat, I needed something that would fill me up and be good for me.

That is when I came up with my cabbage soup.  I remember this diet craze from when I was in high school, but I didn’t just want a quick fix I wanted something long term.  This soup has become a staple in my ventures for my fasting, my weight loss and for something that I really enjoy the taste of.  I usually make a big pot of this and then store it in quart containers that I freeze.  When I need a soup for a meal, I pop it out of the container and heat it up in a pan.

Very simple and versatile to make.

What I do is I purchase a head of cabbage and then chop it up into small pieces.  I put that in a pot with a container of tomato juice.  I add whatever vegetables that I have on hand.  Mixed frozen vegetables, cut up sweet potato, cut up regular potato, onions, zucchini, whatever vegetables you enjoy.  I like to add a few cans of diced tomatoes as well. I add enough water to cover all of my vegetables and a bunch of garlic.  I know, very bad for the social factor—but it works!!! If I am not fasting I add some chicken bouillon for increase of flavor.

Let it simmer all day on the stove.  You will have a huge pot of low fat, body cleansing yummy food.

Some help benefits from cabbage:

• It adds folates to your diet.  Folic acid is one of the essential components of DNA. Are you listening pregnant moms? Not only will adding cabbage to your diet help protect your baby from birth defects, but it will satisfy your rumbling tummy without adding unnecessary calories.
• Cabbage is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and is a good source of fiber. This is great for losing weight and for cleaning out your colon by making you regular:)
•  Cabbage has the fewest calories and least fat of any vegetable.
• It is rated as a vegetable to help prevent cancer.

Eat a bowl of this before you eat your dinner, it will help fill you up with “whole” foods first so that you don’t eat as much of your other foods.  My children like to add some freshly grated parmesan cheese or cut up mozzarella cheese to it and broil for a few minutes.  It is delicious.