Cabbage Soup Diet vs 5:2 Diet

Total Rating
3.1
out of 10
6.8
out of 10
Metabolic Health
4
Temporarily lowers calorie intake but lacks long-term metabolic benefits and may induce nutrient deficiencies.
7
Offers moderate improvements in blood sugar and lipid markers but lacks robust evidence for sustained metabolic benefits compared to other dietary patterns.
Micronutrients
3
Severely lacks essential vitamins and minerals, leading to significant deficiencies.
7
Provides adequate micronutrient coverage on non-fasting days but risks deficiencies on fasting days without careful planning.
Nutrient Density
3
Relies on low-variety, water-rich foods with limited nutrient concentration per calorie.
6
Offers moderate nutrient density with potential for improvement through whole foods and phytonutrient variety.
Overall Health
2
Severe nutrient deficiencies and unsustainable restrictions compromise long-term health and metabolic function.
7
Offers moderate benefits for metabolic health and disease risk reduction but lacks robust long-term population data and may pose nutrient gaps if not carefully managed.
Sustainability
2
Severely restricts food variety and nutrient balance, making long-term adherence impractical and unsustainable.
7
Offers moderate flexibility and practicality but may challenge adherence due to fasting days and potential psychological stress.
Lifestyle Fit
3
Severely restricts social interactions, travel adaptability, and daily convenience, causing significant lifestyle disruption.
7
Offers moderate flexibility for social and travel scenarios but requires planning for fasting days.
Practicality
7
Offers low cost and accessibility but requires strict meal repetition and limited variety, reducing long-term practicality.
8
Offers flexibility with minimal cost, accessibility, and preparation effort while allowing normal eating on most days.
Appetite Control
5
Limited protein and restrictive nature may cause hunger but low energy density provides temporary satiety.
7
Balances satiety through moderate protein and fiber intake but may struggle with hunger management on restricted days without careful food choices.
Fat Quality
2
Severely restricts essential healthy fats and lacks omega-3 sources, promoting an imbalanced and deficient fat profile.
6
Provides moderate emphasis on healthy fats but lacks structured guidance on omega-3 balance and saturated fat sources.
Fiber Intake
3
Primarily relies on limited insoluble fiber from cabbage, lacking diversity and functional benefits for long-term gut and metabolic health.
6
Provides variable fiber intake depending on non-fasting day choices, but lacks structured fiber optimization.
Gut Health
3
Severely restricts dietary diversity and may impair microbiome diversity and digestive tolerance.
5
Limited support for gut microbiome diversity and digestive health due to restricted fiber and lack of prebiotic/fermented food emphasis.
Hormonal Support
2
Severe caloric restriction and nutrient deficiencies disrupt insulin, cortisol, sex hormones, and thyroid function.
7
Moderately supports hormonal balance with intermittent fasting benefits but may elevate cortisol in some individuals.
Macro Balance
3
Significantly low in protein and fat, leading to poor macro balance.
7
Offers flexibility for macro adjustment but lacks structured guidance on optimal ratios for most individuals.
Protein Quality
2
Severely inadequate in essential amino acids and digestible protein sources, leading to significant muscle catabolism and satiety deficits.
6
Provides adequate protein on non-fasting days but risks insufficiency on restricted days without deliberate intake management.
Taste
3
Limited flavor variety and repetitive meals reduce long-term enjoyment and adherence.
7
Offers moderate variety and adaptability but requires careful meal planning to maintain palatability on restricted days.
Body Composition
3
Primarily induces water and glycogen loss with minimal fat loss and significant lean mass risk.
7
Moderately effective for fat loss with reasonable lean mass preservation when protein intake is adequate.
Energy Balance
4
Limited calorie control due to restrictive structure and poor satiety, leading to unsustainable energy management.
6
Provides structured calorie control on fasting days but may struggle with satiety, consistency, and flexibility for varied goals.
Lean Mass
2
Severely restricts protein and energy intake, leading to significant muscle catabolism during weight loss.
7
Moderately supports lean mass retention when protein intake is adequate and energy balance is maintained.
Athletic Support
2
Severely limits energy, macronutrients, and recovery-supporting nutrients critical for athletic performance.
6
May support energy and recovery if well-managed but risks underfueling and nutrient gaps without strict adherence.
Weight Loss
3
Creates a temporary calorie deficit but risks muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and poor long-term adherence.
7
Promotes moderate calorie deficit with flexible eating patterns but lacks robust evidence for sustained fat loss compared to other structured diets.

To discover how we evaluate diets based on Overall Health, Nutrient Density, Practicality, Taste, and other critical parameters, Explore Our Comprehensive Ranking System and detailed methodology. This will help you make informed decisions tailored to your specific goals and needs.