Calories and Nutrition Facts in Cabbage Soup per Cup Serving

Understanding Cabbage Soup Calories

When considering the cabbage soup diet, one of the first things people want to know is - how many calories are in the cabbage soup itself? Since you eat this low-calorie vegetable soup multiple times per day on the diet, the calories can really add up.

So exactly how many calories are in 1 cup of basic cabbage soup? Let's take a look.

Breaking Down the Ingredients

First, we need to know what goes into a standard cabbage soup recipe. While there are many variations, most recipes include:

• Chopped cabbage
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Chicken or vegetable broth
• Tomatoes or tomato juice
• Green peppers
• Mushrooms
• Seasonings like garlic, salt, pepper, etc.

Calculating the Calories

Now let's break this down by ingredients to calculate the calories in a 1 cup serving:

• Cabbage: 22 calories
• Onion: 40 calories
• Carrots: 35 calories
• Celery: 10 calories
• Chicken broth: 15 calories
• Tomato juice: 20 calories
• Green pepper: 12 calories
• Mushrooms: 13 calories

So the total calories adds up to 167 for 1 cup of basic cabbage soup without any oil or other higher calorie additions.

Cabbage Soup Nutrition Facts

Now that we know the cabbage soup calorie count, let's dig deeper into the nutrition facts. Along with calories, what vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are found in this diet staple?

The Vitamins and Minerals

Some of the key vitamins and minerals in 1 cup serving of cabbage soup include:

• Vitamin A - 3382 IU (from carrots, celery, cabbage)
• Vitamin C - 29.3mg (from cabbage, tomatoes, green peppers)
• Folate - 58g (from onions, celery, cabbage)
• Potassium - 493mg (from tomatoes, potatoes)
• Magnesium - 28mg

Other Plant Compounds

Along with standard vitamins and minerals, cabbage soup also contains beneficial plant compounds like:

• Sulforaphane - Known to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects (from cabbage)
• Quercetin - Antioxidant that may improve blood pressure and inflammation (from onions)
• Beta-carotene - Antioxidant that's converted to vitamin A (from carrots)

Fiber Content

Cabbage soup is also a good source of fiber, with about 5-6 grams per cup. This comes mainly from the cabbage, carrots, celery and onions.

Fiber promotes good digestion and gut health. It also helps you feel fuller for longer, which is why soup-based diets can be effective for weight loss.

Calculating Cabbage Soup Needs

Now that you know the nutritional breakdown, how do you calculate the right amount of cabbage soup to meet your daily needs?

This depends first on your personal calorie intake goals for weight loss or maintenance. Here is a general guideline based on a 2,000 calorie diet:

1,200 Calorie Cabbage Soup Diet

If eating only cabbage soup, you would need around 7-8 cups per day to reach 1,200 calories. Be sure to supplement with other vitamins.

1,800 Calorie Cabbage Soup Plan

For a less restrictive 1,800 calorie cabbage soup diet, you would eat around 11 cups per day.

Well-Balanced 2,000 Calorie Diet

On a 2,000 calorie diet with cabbage soup as a meal replacement once a day, you would eat around 4-5 cups combined with healthier whole food choices.

Adjust the amount of soup upwards or downwards based on your unique weight goals and how many calories you want to consume from nutritionally-balanced whole foods versus soup.

Tips for Success on the Cabbage Soup Diet

Here are some additional tips to stay healthy, meet your goals and follow the cabbage soup diet successfully:

• Drink plenty of water
• Take a multivitamin to cover any nutritional gaps
• Include exercise as part of your routine
• Make large batches of soup to have on hand
• Spice up each bowl differently to add variety
• Try some protein rich add-ins like beans or lentils
• Use low sodium vegetable or chicken stock

Understanding exactly how many calories are in cabbage soup empowers you to tailor your portion sizes and meet your nutritional needs for successful weight loss or maintenance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.