With an alarming rise in obesity, dieting has been giving people a way out. That’s why, any new or claimed effective diet on the market, is being followed by the majority. The Leek soup diet is one such diet, which promises a weight loss in minimal time. But is it really for good loss or not? To find out, we’ll have to look deeper at all the aspects of the leek soup diet. Let’s go!
What is the Leek soup diet?
A diet plan, in which one has to consume leek soup/broth on a daily basis and is not allowed to eat anything else, other than medical conditions. This diet is to be followed for no more than 2 days. The leeks are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which promote weight loss.
Why are Leeks beneficial for you?
Leeks are known as a powerhouse of nutrients and are rich in two antioxidants, kaempferol, and allicin which are known to act as a defensive agent against oxidation activities in the body. Leeks, whether consumed in raw form or as a soup, help in the prevention of heart diseases, improves the nervous system and vision, maintain the blood pressure, minimize the effect of cancer, help in treating diabetes, and improve the digestion. Leeks are also a rich source of minerals and vitamins like vitamin C, B6 and calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and iron.
Recipe of the Leek soup
Though the origin of leek soup has not been confirmed yet, Mireille Guiliano shared an effective recipe for leek soup in her book, named, “French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure.” The recipe for leek soup is right here.
- Take almost 2 pounds of leeks and rinse them thoroughly before cutting them.
- Cut the dark green part and the roots of the leeks, so that you get the white bulb-like part of the leeks. Cut the green leafy part in a way that you leave a bit of pale green part attached to the white part.
- Chop them neatly and add them to the pan full of water and boil it.
- When it reaches the boiling point, lower down the flame and simmer it for 20-30 minutes. Keep the pan uncovered while simmering.
- Pour the soup into a bowl or a jar to reserve for later use.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper as per desire. You can also add chopped parsley to it to increase the flavor. Consume this soup every 2 to 3 hours whether after reheating or at room temperature.
How does it help in weight loss?
Leeks’ nutritional value makes them an important ingredient for the weight loss purpose. It is to be followed only for 48 hours, i.e., 2 days. And in these 2 days, you are not supposed to eat anything else, but leek soup every time you feel hungry.
So, how will it help in weight loss? Well, when you consume fewer calories or eat nothing at all, your body goes into a fasting state in which it starts burning stored carbs and fats to keep surviving. Eating leek soup for a whole day or two will only supply around 200-300 calories a day. A single cup of leek soup consists of 15 calories only. Now you can do the math, that low consumption of calories will eventually start burning your fat and carbs.
Is it good for weight loss?
If we are talking about immediate and short-term results in the weight loss journey, then yes, it does. But if you want to look up the long-term sustainable results in the weight loss journey, then the leek soup diet is not the one. It is not recommended to follow a leek soup diet for a long period due to perceived health risks. So, you’ll experience weight loss as soon as you start the diet but when you’ll stop following it, you’ll be back to square one in no time.
Side-effects of Leek soup diet
There aren’t any known or well-researched side-effects of the leek soup diet, known to date. Some studies claim that people suffering allergies from onions might be allergic to leeks as well, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Also, if followed for more than 2 days, the leek soup diet can result in malnutrition of the body, eating disorders, and mood swings.
Conclusion
Leek soups are a good choice for short-term weight loss and a very wise choice for the long-term supply of nutrients. Consuming leek soup for 2 consecutive days will make the needle go down on the weight machine, but if leeks are consumed as a part of a balanced diet meal, that needle will keep going down and will stay there for a long long time.
I look up to fitness as a lifestyle and love to pen down about it. I have 2 years of experience in content writing and I am here to share my research and knowledge on health and fitness.
