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
> Leave Feedback
User Feedback
(Page 20 of 51)
hi had my 1st way in lost 11lb really pleased feel a bit better this week changed my trears for normal shakes much better well will let u no about next weigh in keep it up good luck ////
I have posted two comments before and they havent come up? How annoying. Have lost a grand total of 16lb's and if Im honest Ive had vodka and dietcoke every weekend. I've had chicken every other day. But I do about 2 or 3 hours exercise a week aswel. I fell off the bandwagon at the weekend as was away for a friends 21st and still lost weight...Am gonna try and be very strict for the next 3 weeks before my boyfriends birthday as Id love to lose another stone. Ive not used any spray or oils with my chicken but I have added some tobasco, coriander and chili powder. V. Nice. Well Done everyone keep me in the loop. xxx
Hey Guys !! well done to everyone on their loses! it is amazing! I am due to start next weds as away for this wkd coming ! Starting on 810 see how i go with that and then poss go ss. I have got 3-4 stone to loose so fingers crossed !! good luck everyone xx
Well guys I've made it to the end of week 1 yay!!!! I've survived a family bbq and my friends wedding without mishap and I'm so proud of myself! LORRAINE- I felt a bit sicky on day 5 too and I had the runs, but it didn't last long, I haven't had the tetra shakes though, so I wonder if it's just one of those things??? Has anyone else felt really really cold in the first week?? I know the weather isn't exactly tropical, but I've been freezing for the last 3 or 4 days. I'm really looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. I'd love a big loss but I'm not expecting miracles.
19/08/08: Hiya All. Well, first week on sole source is now over and done with. I made it and I haven't cheated once (although I have been tempted). My councillor finished so I have had to find a new one. Th new cambridge councillor has her own website, reach my goal. They're trying to get as many people on it as possible by all accounts, and i think its good, they have all recipes and things on there, so worth a look!! I have lost 9 and 1/4 in my first week. Still another 5stone 4lb 3/4 to go tho :-s. Felt extremely disheartened to have only lost so much, although not sure what i was hoping for. Been woken a few times with major stomach cramps and nausea, but not actualy vomitted. Struggling to drink all the water, especially as usually I am a pepsi girl! I'm hoping to lose as much weight as physically possible by the end of november as I am going to choose my wedding dress and will have an initial fitting!! My final fitting will be in February so I am hoping to be as close to my target weight as possible.
Good news i still managed to loose 2 lbs even after the bad Saturday so now pleased and back on track for a good weight loss next Monday. Does any body know if you can cook Chicken in 1 Kcal spray ? Any tips what we can do different with shakes, bars etc ? Anyone tried the mouse? Good luck everyone for the week x
Well i completely lost it on Saturday, had a drink and then got the munchies and had way too much to eat!! All that had work over last 2 weeks gone to waste as now put a good few pounds back on, weigh in tonight and so unhappy! Cant believe how the weight goes back on and so much and from just one day!! Very concerned now that when you do actually come off the diet the weight will go back on quickly, even if you are careful 6 days out of 7. Good luck to you who just started and dont give in to the drink as its certainly not worth it! x
lost 7lb in week 1 on ss... with a few mishaps, but i'm really gonna try hard on week 2, fingers X'ed x
hi, to u all on my 5th day and felin a bit sicky does any one get the runs with the terta shakes ,i dont wont to give up because i no it s workin got my frist way in on monday will lt u no how it goes on keep up the good work .,,,,,,,
Hi just wanted to say i drunk vodka and soda and flavoured it with the cambridge powder lots of weekends and have still lost 2 stone in 7 weeks they say dont drink but it never harmed me!!
15th aug, hi guys just a quick note its day 18 for me and so far i have lost 16lb i am still on ss but will be goin on ss+ soon cus i go away in 4 wks my councillor wants 2 introduce food 2 c how i go, only another 12lb 2 go and i have lost the 2 stone i wanted 2 lose b4 my holiday, but wen i get bak i will be straight bak on ss as i have still got another 4-5 stone 2 lose, keep up the good work every1 and as for the drinking i no they advise NO alcohol but i surpose it affects ppl's body differently i am staying clear of it (until my hol lol) but will be strict with my self wen i get bak,take care every1 and goodluck xxxxxx
Hi all, I'm on Day 3 now, and so far I'm doing ok. I'm fing the water difficult, the lack of food is ok but I wish I could drink something other than water. Can't wait until I can get some of the water flavourings next week. Really looking forward to my weigh in on Tuesday. I hope everyone else is still going strong. xx
HI everyone. i love reading everyone's comments it is really good. this will be my third time on the diet starting tomorrow i have had good results in the past the diet does work but down to my own fault put the weight bak on. will keep ypu posted. last time in the 1st week lost 11 then second week lost 5 on the ss. good luck everyone x x x
Hiya everyone, today is my 1st day of ss, and so far it's been ok, I was a bit hungry near lunch time and I'm just starting to feel hungry again now (6pm) I'm struggling with the water, not so much the drinking of it, it's the nipping to the loo all the time. I'm sure this will pass eventually tho (I hope!!!). I'm so happy to finally have started. I'll keep you posted on my progress, first weigh in is next Tuesday. xxxx
Gemma: Hi to you all, well i have been reading all the comments over the last 3 days and think its great how you all encourage each other. I have 2 stone to lose been on SS for nearly 2 weeks, first week lost 8lbs, hopefully should loose another 4 lbs Monday. I found on day 5 that i really missed eating so i treat myself every night with just 2 spoonfuls of extra low cottage cheese which completely helps me. Also i dont like still water and for some reason i can drink sparking so not been a problem. I also find that sitting down at tea time and having a soup really helps, mushroom is nice. POLLY: Let me know how the weigh in goes after drinking, as i love my drink and cant wait to have a couple of vodka's on a Saturday night. Does anyone else treat themselves to a drink or Two? Also can you use the 1 kcal spray when you are aloud chicken? Well keep up the good work to you all. P.S is Troopesue and Jackie still out their. x
well i have started it went and seen a conceller ,got on ss to day 9/8/08 hope i can stay strong drank my last glass of wine and buger and chips last supper you could say well let u all no wot gos on keep up the hard work
13th aug. Hi everyone hope yr all losing weight and doing well. i went for my weigh in 2day. lost 6lbs! i couldnt beleive it. I,m so glad, i didnt think i'd lose that much as i've not been really strict with myself. I think it just shows that this diet really does work. If you havnt lost any weight this week dont worry just think of it this way, at least u havnt put any on. hope u all have a wonderfull week speak soon.xxxxx
hi every 1 just came across this site! this is ma 2nd week on ss last week lost 14lb couldnt believe it this week havent stuck to it as well as i would of liked had a few nites out n couldnt reist a few vodkas but il keep yous all posted xx
hi guys hope your all having a good week and keeping up the hard work! i was weighed on sat and stayed the same i was so so down in the dumps as i had done everything that i should do and i hadnt cheated!! so my counsellor is keeping me on the 1000kals again this week and see how i do on sat fingers crossed speak soon xx
Hiya everyone, tomorrow is the big day, i finally go and see my counsellor for the first time. wish me luck. I'm totally focussed and I know all the ins and outs of doing this diet.I'm totally convinced I can make it work for me and shift this 4st in time for Christmas. My first Thin Christmas in a long time. well done to everyone who's going through the same thing, Can't wait to finally get started and reclaim my life. I don't need luck just the guts to make it through the first week from there on in I'll be ok.
See 109 more diets
