Medical expert of the article
New publications
Onion diet
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Onions are an irreplaceable and favorite ingredient in most of our usual dishes. They are present in salads, we cannot cook soups and borscht without them, many meat and fish dishes, pie fillings, etc. This vegetable is perceived by us not only as a product that adds spiciness and piquancy, but also as a very useful ingredient, rich in essential oil, flavonoids, vitamins, including ascorbic acid, phytoncides and minerals. We are well aware that the absence of onions can cause scurvy (provided that the diet is poor in vegetables and fruits). But the fact that an onion diet exists is a revelation for many. Its authorship belongs to American nutritionists, who have proven not only its effectiveness, but also the ability to deliver gastronomic pleasure.
Indications
The onion diet is intended for people who want to lose weight or stay in good shape. Low-calorie, based on the consumption of large amounts of fiber and vitamins, it can "take away" up to 5 kg per week. Other indications for the appointment may be the desire to improve immunity, protect against colds in the cold season, improve digestion.
General information onion diet
The first assumption that when on an onion diet, you need to eat only this vegetable is wrong. The essence of the diet is that its main dish is onion soup several times a day, but in addition to it, you can eat other dietary products. The soup itself is very nutritious, has a pleasant taste, so it will not be difficult for onion lovers to "get hooked" on it. In addition, such a diet does not condemn you to starvation and, if you do not neglect the rules, it makes it possible to get rid of 2-3 kilograms in a few days.
Onion diet for 7 days
The onion diet is designed for 7 days. What can't you eat? Its requirements prohibit fatty foods, alcohol, flour products, sugar, carbonated drinks, sauces, mayonnaise and other high-carbohydrate foods. The key product is onion soup, and its consumption is allowed at any time when you feel hungry. It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids, including tea and coffee without sugar. What else can you eat? Vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish, lean beef, milk are allowed.
Onion Diet Weekly Menu
We suggest taking as a basis an approximate menu for a week of the onion diet, which involves a serving of soup 3-4 times a day, and in addition to it:
- Monday: some fruit, except bananas and grapes;
- Tuesday: raw vegetables, stewed or baked, grilled are also suitable;
- Wednesday: vegetables and fruits in small portions;
- Thursday: vegetables, fruits, 250g low-fat milk, a couple of bananas;
- Friday: a piece of boiled meat, fish is possible, but no more than 0.5 kg per day;
- Saturday: boiled beef, fresh cucumber and sweet pepper (unlimited vegetables), greens (parsley, dill, lettuce);
- Sunday: a serving of boiled wild rice, vegetables, fruit juice.
Your diet for the first four days should be structured as follows: breakfast, lunch and dinner should consist of soup and the fruit, vegetable or salad recommended for that day, snacks are also carried out with their help. Milk on Thursday for an afternoon snack. On Friday, a portion of soup is moved from lunch to a second breakfast, it will be replaced by meat or fish. On Saturday, soup is eaten instead of dinner for an afternoon snack, and in the evening only a vegetable salad. Sunday completes the diet, so you can begin to relax and organize your meals at your discretion.
Onion Diet Recipes
If you use only one recipe to prepare the dish, then the onion soup diet will seem boring, monotonous, uninteresting. Simple recipes allow you to saturate soups with various shades. On average, when preparing the volume for one day, you need to use 6 onions. You can prepare vegetable:
- Onion soup with celery: chop the onion, shred the cabbage, cut the tomato, a couple of bell peppers, celery root. Pour in water, cook until done, add salt at the end;
- Another variation of using celery is as follows: the onion is cut in half, greased with butter and baked in the oven, then sent to a saucepan, where the celery root is grated, everything is filled with water and boiled. The finished soup is turned into a puree using a blender;
- with carrots: onions and carrots are sautéed in sunflower oil, water, white cabbage, seasoning, pepper, salt, bay leaf are added to the pan. The amount of ingredients, except for onions, depends on how thick you prefer your first courses;
- French: it is more caloric and you can treat yourself to it no more than twice a week. The onion is caramelized (you will have to use a little sugar for this), a spoonful of flour is mixed in, turning up the heat, pour in a little wine and weak chicken broth. Its consistency should not be liquid. Simmer all this on the fire for about 10 minutes, add salt, bring to taste.
Benefits
First of all, the onion diet is designed for weight loss, but it will undoubtedly benefit the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, help normalize blood pressure, activate metabolic processes, improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Since ancient times, onions have been used to treat joints with rheumatism and gout, and disinfect wounds. The advantage of the onion diet is that it is acceptable even at a more mature age, when strict restrictions in food can do more harm than solve the problem, as well as during pregnancy.
[ 6 ]
Contraindications
The onion diet is one of the safest of all existing ones. The risks associated with it are minimal. And yet, people suffering from gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases should consult with their doctor before using it, so as not to encounter possible complications in the form of exacerbation of the pathology. Although it is designed for a week, but if it does not cause disgust due to a specific smell and taste, is not accompanied by nausea (this also happens), then it can be used for a longer period.
Reviews
Numerous reviews of the onion diet attest to its popularity and are mostly from women. They emphasize that it really “works.” It helps many women get back into shape after giving birth, while others resort to it before the beach season. There are almost no complaints about the difficulty of sticking to it, some are embarrassed and turn away from the aromas already at the cooking stage, in which case you need to consider other weight loss options.