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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 21 of 57, 1131 total comments)Patience
great diet. Lost weight and maintained lower weight without feelong deprived.
posted Oct 12th, 2008 6:44 ammaz
Hi guys I have just completed my first day, I have felt a bit shakey and light headed but am determined to loose the 4 1/2 stone BRING IT ON !!!!
posted Oct 11th, 2008 1:42 pmSAZ
Hi, Im on my third week and really feeling hungry quite a lot. Ive lost 10lb in total but have been disapointed to only loose 2lb last week and 1 this week, I was really hoping for a good kick start, I was doing ww following the birth of my son but couldnt bear to wait so long for the results...and it looks like this isnt going to be fast as I thought. Plodding on but not happy - could be doing ww - having a wine and still losing the 1lb!! Hope I get a bigger loss next week!! Has this happened to anybody else??
posted Oct 11th, 2008 5:57 amDW
This is my third day and it's getting better. Yeasterday (day two) was really bad!!!!!!!!!!! but im determined to stick to it.
posted Oct 10th, 2008 10:00 amAlison
Me again! Well I only lost 1 1/2lb and was gutted but my Counsellor thinks I am retaining fluid. I was upset but I can see the inches coming off really quick so not to dispondent, hoping to see it off next Tuesday. Regarding Constipation, well!! it is a major problem. Just keep taking Senokot and I also use Glycerine Suppositories, they are a big help I can tell you ha ha. Going away 16th for few days so will eat sensible. Well done all of you and keep up the good work.
posted Oct 10th, 2008 6:57 amcatty
I have been on this diet since June 2008 and have lost 58 1/2 lbs so far. Chuffed to bits, it has changed my life and I would definately do it again, for anyone out there who is genuinly fed up with this weight, I recommend it!
posted Oct 9th, 2008 6:12 pmCalli
I am in week two and have not been weighed yet....my clothes are starting to feel loose and i can see my body starting to change shape a little....i have 3 stone to lose and like many found the conventional eating programs did not work.....i am one who either eats food like it will run out tomorrow or i would rather go without..i am very pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to stick to....loving the shakes not so keen on many of the soups altho chilli is nice...and i am finding myself a little consipated.....does any one else have this problem and if so what's the best way to prevent it?
posted Oct 9th, 2008 1:27 amlove this site and congrats to so many of you on here! xx
MP
Just finished my first day on CD - feel fine!
posted Oct 8th, 2008 3:46 pmCouldn't believe that I was 15st 10lbs! Got 5 stones to lose - got fed up with Weight watchers, I couldn't get excited losing a measly 1-2 pounds per week, I need something far more effective so here's hoping with CD . I enjoy reading everybody's comments - very encouraging!
mands
now on day 6 and doing ok. drinking the water! worried that I am still getting the rumbling tums as i was not expecting to feel hungry after day three! sticking to it though. I am surprised how much energy I actually have on such a low calorie input. first weigh in tomorow.
posted Oct 8th, 2008 5:00 ambridgeen
Have completed week two amd made the first Stone off. Now in week three and doing good :) This site is soo oo helpful Keep going folks.
posted Oct 7th, 2008 4:54 pmJennifer
I have using Cambridge Diet for 4 months, I have lost a lot of weight and being able to maintain my weight loss even when on holiday..
posted Oct 7th, 2008 10:10 amAlison
I have been doing the Cambridge Diet now for 5 wks and up unitl now have lost 1st 1lb. I am getting weighed tonight and looks like I have lost another 3-4lb this week, fingers crossed. Although I am missing my wine the results I am seeing are brilliant and so out weighs the temptation. I am able to fit into clothes I haven't worn for a few years now, feeling fab! Going away 16th Oct for 4 days so will try to eat sensible but the wine will be my downfall ha ha! Intend to go straight back onto SS when I return. Good luck to you all & keep up the good work.
posted Oct 7th, 2008 6:17 amAngiepooos
I have done the diet, with three shakes, a low carb meal and a big glass of wine each night, and have just lost one stone in my first week. I have semi skimmed milk in my coffee, and sugar free squash. I know these things aren't strictly allowed, but I'd feel horribly deprived without them. This way I know I can go on indefinitely (I have another four stones to lose).
posted Oct 7th, 2008 12:59 amscw
1st weight inn sincee my hols and although I put on over the holiday I have managed to loose 5lb in a week, plus 2" Feeling more energetic again and am back on track. Keep up the good work everyone and good luck.
posted Oct 7th, 2008 12:59 amemzymce
im half way into my second week and i feel brilliant. my partner and family eating takeaways in front me is not that great but they admire how much will power i have not to give in. im still got my size 10 jeans in the back of the wardrobe so thats my motivation to one day be able to get them back on. well done mags for the 10lb weight loss thats great. andf also jackie i would of been the same if i was going on holiday lol... keep up the good work guys ;) xxx
posted Oct 7th, 2008 12:58 amjojo72
well in to day four and the amount of times i have gone to the fridge and cupboards .hung on the doors looking if there is any think i could have .had a few belly rumbles.shut the doors and went to find something to do .watch some tv .and then all that i see is every one eating adverts soaps its every were .hope i can be strong .well hope i can make it .dig in every one x
posted Oct 7th, 2008 12:58 amTina Burgess
I have been on this diet for just under two weeks and have lost 1 stone and 4lbs already! Although it's tough not eating proper food, by seeing the results I am achieving, I know I will stick to it. I am also determined not to ever put the weight all back on again and know that this will only happen if I go back to abusing the wrong foods like I used to.
posted Oct 6th, 2008 10:09 amSasha
It worked for me I have lost 60 lbs in less than a year. Downside I may have to at least keep including the diet in my life for a life time. Once I go back to regular healthy eating I have the potential of gaining weight.
posted Oct 5th, 2008 2:16 pmIlovegreens32
I wasn't learning along the way and if I didn't have the information in front of me I was lost and easily fell off.
posted Oct 4th, 2008 5:51 pmamypie4
This diet is very strict but to get results that is the best type of diet to follow. I lost 7 pounds in my first week. Is anyone seeing this success as well? I'll post again once I finish week 2
posted Oct 4th, 2008 5:44 pm