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Cambridge Diet
A liquid diet that may be too calorie restrictive for long-term success.
BACKGROUND
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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
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User Feedback
(Page 19 of 57, 1131 total comments)Aga
easy, very fast result
posted Oct 20th, 2008 7:43 amMiniDee
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.
posted Oct 20th, 2008 4:15 amxx
jan taylor
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!
posted Oct 19th, 2008 2:36 pmdappymare
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.
posted Oct 19th, 2008 1:18 pmGood luck to people that are doing this diet! But just think is fast weight loss worth the misery
Kels
Hi crissie
posted Oct 19th, 2008 10:34 amI 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
Asif
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.
posted Oct 19th, 2008 9:52 amjane
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.
posted Oct 19th, 2008 9:05 amruth
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..
posted Oct 19th, 2008 7:02 ambridgeen
have now lost 18 lbs and so pleased.
posted Oct 18th, 2008 5:27 pmAmy 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.
Chrissie
Nearly completed Day 5. Going well although I get very hungry in the afternoon
posted Oct 18th, 2008 2:33 pmamy
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
posted Oct 18th, 2008 2:58 amMiniDee
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!!!
posted Oct 17th, 2008 3:03 pmChrissie
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.
posted Oct 17th, 2008 12:43 pmsue
hi all started diet on 7.10.08 had 1st weigh in on 16.10.08 lost 3lbs only
posted Oct 17th, 2008 9:52 amLola
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. :)
posted Oct 17th, 2008 8:44 amsarah
Well I'm on day 3 of ss and actually feel like a want to die! But coming on to this site and reading everyone elses experiences and how motivated you all are is really getting me through!! All I can keep thinking is all this torture better be worth it! lol
posted Oct 17th, 2008 7:45 amMInidee
I am on day 5, I get weighed tonight. As my BMI maybe be below 25, I would go up to the next stage. I checked for ketones everyday and I think I am seeing things, as there is no change (I must be the one person on this diet who was destined to starve and never reach ketosis!) I am staying strong, but I feel so disillusioned by the hunger. Any tips? I drink 3-4.5 ltrs a day and I have 2 cups of black coffee. My consultant is going to bring her sticks along tonight (so I am hoping that my sticks are faulty). Thank you all for your inspirational stories, they really keep me going!
posted Oct 17th, 2008 7:01 amemily
hi all i am on day 2 ss cd, i love reading all the reviews it is so motivating and inspiring!! cant wait to start see results.
posted Oct 16th, 2008 3:40 pmChrissie
Completed Day 2. This was quite a bad day for me. I felt very tired all day, got a headache and felt like I had no energy.
posted Oct 16th, 2008 3:24 pmJust completed Day 3 and feeling much better. Hopefully I have only had to endure one bad day (fingers crossed).
Still keeping to the diet and not cheated. Tried the Butterscotch and found it quite pleasant. The Banana is quite nice too. Chocolate is always nice !
Bridgeen
At last I have tried the porridge. It is everything it is cracked up to be. If I am not carefulI will eat them 3 times a day:)
posted Oct 16th, 2008 12:36 pm