Cambridge Diet
A liquid diet that may be too calorie restrictive for long-term success.
BACKGROUND
With new diets hitting the market faster than we can lose a pound, it is not too often that you stumble upon a diet that has been around for more than 20 years. The Cambridge Diet has proudly clocked some years under its svelte belt. Developed in the 80s, it still enjoys a very loyal and passionate audience of dieters who have been successful at losing weight and keeping it off.
It is a liquid diet program that involves drinking 3 servings of the signature Cambridge Diet formula each day with or without food. The three servings provide you with protein (either 30 or 50 grams), carbohydrates, fat, fiber and your daily-required vitamin and mineral allowances.
About ten years ago, the Cambridge Diet added an additional product to their 330 Original Product. The 420 Food for Life product contains 100% of the required daily protein needs in 3 servings whereas the 330 Product contains 75% of the required protein. The protein source comes from whey and soy. Both of them are nutritional supplements that do not contain drugs, medicine, stimulants or herbs.
There are four ways for you to follow the Cambridge Diet: - The Fast Track: Consume 3-4 servings of Cambridge a day and no additional food. - The Alternate Program: Use 3-4 servings of Cambridge for one day with no food and then the following day, consume 3 servings of Cambridge with the addition of 400-800 calories of low fat, low calorie health food. Continue to alternate in this manner. - The Regular Program: Eat 3 servings of Cambridge 15- 20 minutes prior to each low calorie meal. Calories should not exceed 400-800 for the entire day. - The Regular Program 2: Consume 3 servings of Cambridge and eat one meal of low calorie food each day. Calories should not exceed 400- 800 calories for the entire day.
PRO
- Cambridge Diet contains all the essential nutrients
- Has a proven success rate
- Safe for diabetics and those with high blood pressure
CON
- Its limited consumption of food may incite excessive eating
- May be too calorically-restrictive for some individuals
- Does not teach you to eat in a healthy and long-term way
- Long-term weight loss may not be sustained
- Calories might be too restrictive for exercise
DIET and NUTRITION
The foundation of the Cambridge Diet is its signature line of shakes. They come in an array of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, eggnog, strawberry, cappuccino, banana cream and many more. The shakes come in two styles: The Original and the Food for Life.
The Food for Life product contains 51 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fat and 140 calories per shake. It also includes 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals. The Original contains 31 grams of protein and contains about 110 calories per shake.
There is also a line of additional Cambridge products like soups, nutrition bars, and super oats.
When taken the prescribed three times a day, you'll only consume 420 calories. If you select to follow a plan that allows for food, you should not consume anymore than an additional 800 calories a day and these calories should come from low-calorie and low-fat foods like vegetables and lean proteins. If you are on the smaller side, it is recommended that you only consume an additional 400 calories on top of the 420 calories for the Cambridge products.
You are also strongly encouraged to drink at least 3-4 liters of water each day.
EXERCISE
Since the Cambridge Diet is so restrictive, exercise should be done cautiously. It is not recommended to start a new strenuous exercise program while on the Cambridge Diet. Moderate exercise like walking or biking is useful once you start to lose weight, providing that it is approached with caution and not done with excess.
CONCLUSION
There is no question that The Cambridge Diet has been around for a long time. And in the process, many have had luck losing weight by following its strict dietary regimen. Since the diet is so low in calories, check with your doctor before starting it, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
The Cambridge Diet devotees swear by the diet's ability to help them lose weight as long as the program is followed correctly. But like most diets that rely on shakes or supplements to shed pounds, its potential for long-term weight loss and for instilling sound and healthy eating habits in you is not that promising.
Common Misspellings
cambrdge Diet, cambradge diet, cambridge deit, camebridge diet, cambridge liquid diet, cambridgediet.com
Related Diets: Cabbage Soup Diet, Juice Diet, Liquid Diet, Master Cleanse Diet, New Lifestyle Diet, Slim-Fast, Isopure Shakes, 21 Pounds in 21 Days
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Hi Kels, thanks for the tips. I am now on Day 6 and funilly enough have not felt that hungry today.
Dappymare, I too find the drinks very sweet, but I can manage the chocolate drink (im a chocoholic)
Its my first weigh in tomorrow so I will keep you all posted of my results.
Hi all am so pleased just had first weigh in and i have lost 12lb in just one week. I feel so focused as i want to get of the weight before christmas.
Good luck to everyone xx
pmpl..At putting weight back on...of course you will after any diet but cambridge more so I lost 3 stone on it 2 years ago eat healthily after,nothing bad at all and put it back on quicker than i lost it. yr starving yourself on cambridge of course you'll put the weight back on as yr messing ya metabolism up. If it worked long term it be on the Nhs. doctors say healthy eating and exercise not processed garbage in a sachet
Day 8 - I was quite please as I lost 8lbs. 7lbs to go and I am home to roost! I've already got back into exercising and I am enjoying it. It has to be a way of life. What is the point of going through all this only to start again! One must be focused to the very end. Start thinking of what you will like to do differently once you get to your goal weight because that is when the real challenge begins :)
Hi all, I am starting cd today although I know what is in store as I lost 4 1/2 stone using a similar product called lighter life 2 1/2 years ago. Since then I have gained 2 1/2 stone which I think is good as on weight watchers etc I've always gained all the loss back and more which is why I ended up on a VLC diet, so don't listen to all the fear mongers who tell you it goes back on as soon as you stop as isn't that true of all diets, thats why its such a big industry.
I am hoping to lose a significant amount over the next 6 weeks as I am going to my husbands Christmas ball and want to look good, plus when I was slim I felt so fantastic and full of confidence which has been slipping away with each pound gained! I want that feeling back. There is not a food out there which makes me feel as good as I felt then.
Your comments are so inspiring and have given me the determination to get back on it. I hope mine helps others too.
Will update with my progress
Good luck all
x
easy, very fast result
This morning is the start of week 2 or day 8. A week ago I weighed 136.25 lbs (9 st 10.25 lbs). This morning I weighed 125.5 lbs (8 st 13.5 lbs). I don't have much more to lose (about 10lbs) and my BMI will be 21. I have not found the ketosis sticks a helpful indication. I guess the more water you drink, the less likely are ketones to show. Good luck and keep going. This diet is worth it.
xx
I started this diet mid May 2008 at just over 14 stone and size 16. Today I'm 10 1/2 stone ( a bit more to go) and a size 12. I've had planned breaks for holidays and managed to get straight back into it. It's not easy but if you are determined to lose weight this is soooo fantastic. Can't recommend highly enough. Good luck!
I did this diet for 5 days and longer i did it, the worst i felt... All the products were way too sweet for me, and all chocolate orientated...maybe cambridge think all people who are over weight are chocolate addicts.Also had a useless counsellor who just wanted the money and fortnightly weigh ins are useless when not motivated. Have decided Weight Watchers is the best option, as might have slower weight loss but its only a lb a week less than what some people lose on cambridge, and won't have the worry of putting the weight on once I reach me target weight as can still go to meetings for free.
Good luck to people that are doing this diet! But just think is fast weight loss worth the misery
Hi crissie
I am on day seven today am now finding it easy. No what you meen about hungery in afternoon. Why not try holding of lunch untill about 2 oclock. Thats what i have been doing and finding it much better. Then i have dinner at 7 that keeps ok untill bed time. I have weigh in tommorrow really excited. Keep it up
Hi, I am starting the diet tomorrow and I am really excited I feel ready to loose the weight!!! Its sounds as though lots of people are having success I hope i do as-well.
hi sarah - like you, i am a big girl with lots of weight to loose. I have been on this diet since the beginning of april this year, and have lost 4stone 8lbs (this includes 2 holidays all inclusive)!! so i am feeling pretty pleased with myself although i still have a long way to go. Is there anybody else reading this site who has also been on the cd for more than a few months, and is sticking to it long term as I am sure we would all love to hear from you. Bye for now.
Hi there all just to say well done all and keep it up, i am on day 6 and feeling really good as i weighed on friday and lost 12lld since tuesday i am really pleased. wont no exactly until weighin on tuesday so will you you no.Reading all your review helps me great through the day so thanks you all..
have now lost 18 lbs and so pleased.
Amy be very careful about the meal out don't driink any alcohol. I always have sparkling water also your counsellor may have suggested thay you stick to protein and green veg to avoid any disasters. I find even if i break it and avoid the (sweet) puddings the damage isn't too bad! Good luck.
Nearly completed Day 5. Going well although I get very hungry in the afternoon
i am on day 4 and finding it really easy sooo surprised as my food intake before was alot. hoping that i have lost a few pounds as would like to loose some for christmas have a social meal next week has any one had a day off?did it make a great difference to get back on track xx
GREAT NEWS, Still on Day 5, I have FINALLY entered ketosis, feel a little dizzy and most importantly, no longer hungry. My consultant had just been and I have lost 8 lbs in 5 days!!! I only have a stone to go... I know I moaned, but this result so far is SOOO WORTH IT!!!
Nearly completed Day 4. Feeling hungry today. Still keeping to the diet and not cheating. Tried the Cranberry Crunch Bar today and it was very nice.
hi all started diet on 7.10.08 had 1st weigh in on 16.10.08 lost 3lbs only
Day 5 - I feel more energetic today. Although I normally walk to work, I decided to go for an aerobic class and it was fun! I weighed myself today and was pleased with the results but I will give you a low down on Monday as that is the actual weighing day. Have a good weekend all. :)
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