Ask Dr. Etingin: Cabbage Soup Diet; Vegan Ice Cream vs. Regular Ice Cream

Q: Cabbage soup is getting a lot of buzz as a way to lose weight. But does it work?

A: Cabbage is a very healthy vegetable. It’s low in calories (just six per leaf) and more than 90-percent water. It is full of nutrients including calcium, potassium, folate, protein, fiber, and vitamins B6, C, and K. Cabbage has been linked with lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation, and improving digestion. Red cabbage—and other red and purple vegetables—also contain anthocyanins, antioxidants which have been linked to heart health, improved cognition, and reduced cancer risk.

However, by itself, cabbage soup will not give you all the nutrients your body needs to remain strong and healthy. For that reason, the cabbage soup diet is very controversial. If you eat it every day for a week, it can help you lose a few pounds in the short term, but you will be missing key nutrients. Also, once you stop the cabbage soup diet and go back to your normal eating habits, you can easily put the weight back on.

The best way to maintain a normal weight is to follow a healthy dietary plan every day, such as the one at ChooseMyPlate.gov. You could make cabbage soup part of your plan, perhaps eating it as a lunch once or twice a week. You also could make the soup even more nutritious by adding more vegetables, a protein, or even a whole grain. Then, balance those meals with more well-rounded meals that ensure you get your daily allowance of fiber, protein, calcium, iron, and other vitamins and minerals.

Q: Is vegan ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

A: When hearing the word “vegan,” it’s tempting to think it’s healthy because it’s plant-based, but that is not necessarily the case. In fact, some vegan ice creams can be less healthy than regular dairy ice cream, because they contain saturated fats, as well as sugar and salt.

Vegan ice cream can be made out of a variety of plant bases, ranging from soymilk to coconut milk, nut milk, and even chickpeas. But coconut milk is the most popular base for vegan ice cream because it holds together best and creates the creamiest results. However, a tablespoon of coconut milk contains 3 grams of saturated fat, or 16 percent of your daily value for saturated fat.

If you are not vegan or lactose intolerant, you may want to stick with dairy-based ice cream because it contains nutrients you may not find in vegan ice cream, such as potassium, and small amounts of protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and D.

The best way to eat healthfully and maintain an ideal weight is to choose a low-fat ice cream with reduced saturated fats. Also, make ice cream a treat you give yourself once in a while, not something you eat every day.

If you do prefer vegan ice cream, look for a low-fat version, such as one not made from coconut milk. Whichever ice cream you choose, compare the Nutrition Facts label and select one with the most vitamins, protein, calcium, and other minerals, and the lowest saturated fat, sugar, sodium, carbohydrates, and cholesterol.

—Editor-in-Chief Dr. Orli R. Etingin, MD

The post Ask Dr. Etingin: Cabbage Soup Diet; Vegan Ice Cream vs. Regular Ice Cream appeared first on University Health News.

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