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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 35 of 57, 1131 total comments)ANY ONE
HI THERE DOES ANY BODY KNOW OF A PRICE INCREASE OF 5P PER ITEM AT ALL OR IS IT JUST MY COUNCILLOR DOING IT FROM TODAY 01-07-08 WHICH MAKES PACKETS £1.70 EACH AND TETRA SHAKES £1.90 EACH WOULD LOVE TO KNOW CHEERS X
posted Jul 1st, 2008 7:54 amcarrie
Everyone is doing so well!! I am finding the weekends so so difficult!! How do you all do it? I just can't break the cycle of falling apart at the weekends!! :-( xx
posted Jul 1st, 2008 7:54 amEmma
Hi all, hope you're all ok??? How did everyone's weekend go? I slipped up AGAIN - but am putting it down to being hormonal etc ! have got back on it, and actually lost what i put on in just yesterday so feel ok......! (I THINK) Troopersue and Jackie: Exercise? What's the deal with it? I note your comments about taking it easy - but my counsellor is saying to me that i have to up it and the more exercise i do the more i will lose weekly. Do you not think she is right then? I am so confused....... Last week i did my aqua fit, deep fit, fitness video and walked the dog, and to be honest i didn't see any huge change than the very first week i did this with limited exercise (just walking the dog) What does anyone else think, and can i please please ask for your comments and ask what you have all been told. I can't find another counsellor in my area (rural!) so i am sticking to this one - but in one word she is useless. I weighed last Friday with her, she came to my house and was there 10 minutes, but i had had no contact from her whatseover in that fortnight, no email no calls no nothing. I had still managed to lose 6 1/2 pounds and 6 inches though. I have just decided to try the bars as well, and i had my two shakes yesterday and a bar at night and it was really really lovely. Hope to hear from you all soon with some (a) encouragement and (b) the score with exercise!!! Good luck everyone and you guys are brill! xxxxx
posted Jul 1st, 2008 7:54 ammarnie x
hi guys half way through my1st day - not too bad really, i find the shakes really filling the soups were yummy- i think i will have she in the morning and a soup for lunch and work it like that its in my head that soup is lunch ?? oh well- thanks sue tracey and jackie i will ask about the flavourings i havent been to bad to day been peeing like a trooper! lol anyway wanted to ask something i am 5 foot 9 and have to have 4 shakes a day but i think i am going to struggle with this i feel like i only want 1 more today after 2 - what do you think should do?? well chin up guys! speak soon xxxx
posted Jun 30th, 2008 4:44 pmCharlotte
So i got my shakes today, will see how it goes, i need to lose about 2 and a half stone, hopefully by my wedding in sept, fingers crossed and keep up the good work everyone else
posted Jun 30th, 2008 4:44 pmlubyloo
Well went out at weekend went to tapas bar had chicken and seafood salad.I then went out to the pubs and took my powder and added it to soda water.Alittle worried about my weigh in but yes more weight loss 3lbs,im now half way through lost 1 stone just another to go.Hopefully another 6 weeks and i should be saying bye to the cambridge diet and hello to a new way of eating.Keep it up every1 we r getting slimmer everyday!!!!
posted Jun 30th, 2008 4:44 pmBrandi - Senior Editor for DietsInReview.com
Good morning SUE and everyone- Thank you for sharing your idea for photos. We've invited DietsInReview.com readers to send their before/after photos for a new section we're creating on the site as part of the redesign. We presented the opportunity in Newsletter #3 and in the Diet Blog, and all submissions would be entered for a giveaway of a signed copy of Jorge Cruise's newest book. We didn't get any responses though, so it seemed as though no one was interested in sharing. If you haven't already, I encourage you to sign-up for the newsletter and read the diet blog everyday- in addition to really valuable news, tips and information, you'll find updates and giveaways from DIR. DietsinReview.com/newsletters DietsInReview.com/diet_column
posted Jun 30th, 2008 10:08 amkatylou
hi every 1, started on SS 6 days ago, found it realy hard at times but i havent cheated at all, i think i have lost around 8lb but official weigh in is tomorrow. i only have about 1 1/2 stone to lose for my wedding in 6 weeks. im realy worried that im going to put it all back on straightaway.
posted Jun 30th, 2008 9:56 amTroopersue
30/06/08 (2.25am)CHARLOTTE - I dont know about everyone else but I pay weekly as I see my counsellor and get weighed. At every 7lb loss she takes my photo (front, side and back) and measure me and writes these details on a card. Good luck Charlotte, now stop "thinking" about it - and DO IT ..lol. DONNA - Glad you like this board and welcome. Do keep us all updated with how you are doing wont you ? MARNIE - Im like you, im no water lover either and I must admit that "some" days I just cannot drink the proper amount. I do however drink black coffee like it is going out of fashion so I guess this helps me somewhat. I dont have it strong, just half a teaspoonful of coffee to a BIG mug. Ive never actually counted how many I drink but I do have 7 cups BEFORE lunchtime.Afternoons are worse (even more coffee..lol) and the evenings I guess is about 4-5 mugs. I think if I drank the full amount of water I would drown :(. If the weather is extra hot I CAN drink it, but on a normal day - nope. I think the average weight loss is approx 1stone a month. So given youve got 2 months until your holiday - you "could" be 2 stone lighter by then :>). I have no magical tip for staying on track, cuz we all have our slip ups. As long as you dont let it get to you and start feeling a failure youll be fine. Just remember its not how many times you fall from grace thats important, its how many times you pick yourself again and again and again :>) On more than one occassion youll find yourself thinking "can I really do this ? is it worth it?". The answer is simply yes you can and yes it is. I wish I had a quid for everytime ive thought "right I wont do THAT again" lol. *example*- yesterday when I bought some FRESH HOT CRUSTY ROLLS. mmmmmm (bread is my big downfall in life). I had no intention of having any BUT, once home and smelling them I couldnt resist just one. And yes it really was just the one. Buttered it lightly with mega low fat marg and cut a tomato up and put half in the roll. And do ya know what ? I didnt even really enjoy it :>( It was a bit too puffy for my liking. A bit like eating fresh air. So once again I WONT DO THAT AGAIN!!!. Im being weighed tomorrow and if I havent lost ill be mortified but only have myself to blame. BUT today is another day and ive been mega good today. 2 shakes, I bar and a piece of smoked haddock. And tomorrow ill be equally as good. Then hold my breath as I step on the scales at 6.30pm ..lol. But hey im having my hair cut in the morning - and hair weighs a lot doesnt it ??????.... ohh dream on. Ohh and BRANDI - dont ya think it would be a good idea, when youre re-vamping the site to have a space where we could maybe upload a photo ?. Have a little box at the side of our postings so others could look at us and think "corrr look isnt he/she doing well, they look great :>). Just an idea for you to kick around LOL.
posted Jun 30th, 2008 9:56 amcarrie
hi guys, everyone sounds like they are doing great!! i found the weekend really tough! why is it the weekends are so hard? i think its the drinking that I find difficult, not being able to have a glass of wine :-( the thing is if i eat i do then get the munchies !! i think its a habit i have to break at some point. how does everyone cope with the weekends?x
posted Jun 30th, 2008 9:56 amTracey
Hi all really pleased as I've lost 8lbs in my 1st week so feel really good. Tried a couple of the soups and found them ok chicken & mushroom the nicest not as keen on the spicy tomato but can tolerate every now and then. Finding if I have the chocolate and some of the other drinks hot I feel more full. MARNIE X - you can get water flavourings from your counsellor to make drinking the water easier good luck with your 1st week Ive just done my 1st week and at times it was hard but just kept thinking of that weight coming off!! What I did which isn't good for everyone but its worked for me I halved my shakes so it ment having 6 drinks a day also I made them up to between 150mls - 200 mls and they still tasted ok the only ones I don't halve is the soups, but this is not for everyone I've had the time and opportunity to do that way as I've been off work but I'm due back to work friday and I work nights so will have to change how I do it all. Anyway best of luck!! x CARRIE - how did the weekend go? Hope you had a nice time and didn't find it too difficult. x Bye for now good luck everyone x x
posted Jun 30th, 2008 9:56 amJackie
(30/6/2008 - 12:45pm )Hi All! CHARLOTTE - You should be paying one week at a time, on the day you collect your packs. So dont expect to pay any more than £40 per week (probably less) If they ask for it advance, be wary! MARNIE you can buy water flavourings, Sunshine Orange, and Summer Berries. These can be added to your water, and give it a real kick! I like them with Sparking water! Yum! It really helps when you are needing to drink more! And they have fibre in them, so that will help with everything else too! Good luck! TROOPERSUE - relaxing sounds WONDERFUL! Take a bath, paint your nails! Chill out and have some "ME time" We deserve it! DONNA - I'm so pleased that you found this board, and that we can be such an inspiration for you. I dont know how much of it you have read, but if you get time, do look back, as it contains LOADS of tips and help for a fantastic loss! Good luck everyone, and Well Done for helping to make this the success it is!
posted Jun 30th, 2008 9:56 amCharlotte
Hi, i am thinking of doing this diet, i have 2- stone to lose, just wondered do you have to pay upfront for a certain amount of weeks or do you take it week by week? thanks
posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pmlyn
hi, first weigh in last night and lost 9lbs so quite pleased all the pain was worth it, does anyone else have the mouse it is so nice and feels like you are eating something really quite filling!
posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pmDonna
Hi everyone - this board is great. Im due to start CD for first time on Wednesday. I'll check in here daily for inspiration & support. Good luck to you all. Ive got 3st, 10lb to lose and really hoping that this will work for me. Great board - you are all an inspiration.
posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pmTroopersue
29/6/08. Just a quickie for EMMA - Have you spoken with your counsellor about all this exercise you are doing ? what did they say ?. Are you still losing weight ?. My understanding of CD + exercise is that your body will use up too many calories (and youre only having 400+ a day) and it will hold on to whatever it can. Hence it will ultimately slow down your weight loss. Your body may cope far better by you "taking it easy" im afraid :>) But please speak to your counsellor about it - theyre the ones in the know!!
posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pmmarnie x
hi guys got my diet packs to day and cannot wait to get started - so i will give you an out look of me - 5.9 - 19 stone size 22- and i am determind to get down to my goal weight of 12 stone! i think the hardest thing will be the water as i dont really drink that much, how do you guys cope? so my first weigh in is on 6/07 - i am going on my hols on 2/09 so hoping to be a damn sight lighter by then! you are all so positive on here and i think this will help me alot any tips for keeping on track? i know its going to be hard but i will have to be strong !!! well good luck everyone and i will keep you posted xxxxx
posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pmTracey
Hi All - CARRIE - I'm on my 5th day of the diet 27/6/08 and I've lost 6lbs so far so really pleased, have found it a struggle at times cos I've a young family to feed so having to make meals and everything smells sooooo good!! Looking forward to being able to have the bars in a couple of wks so I can chew something but otherwise finding it ok. Its making me go to bed earlier!! I have about 2 - 3 stone to loose but will go by how I feel nearer the time. Have a good time tomorrow. Not sure how I feel about weekends yet will let you know how I cope! Take care x Good luck CHEEKY with the change in diet plan let us know how you get on and what sort of things you eat to fit in the small meals. Well done JACKIE 25lbs in 32 days wow!! Bye for now! x
posted Jun 27th, 2008 3:06 pmJackie
Hi All! CARRIE - Add as much or as little water as you want to your packs! I dont believe it really matters, and whats 50mls if it means you enjoy your food! I personally dont like the shakes hot, but I think you should give it a try! LUBYLOO Dont DRINK VODKA! It is REALLY bad for you to have any sort of Alcohol whilst you are in Ketosis! Please please speak with your counsellor before making this decision - I personally would advise against it! CARRIE - I have been on the diet for 37 days now, and at day 32 I had lost 25lbs, so will know more this weekend! I'm having a meal on saturday instead of adding one everyday. I dont really have much more to add. So i'm going to do some work! Hehe. Bye x
posted Jun 27th, 2008 8:10 amCarrie
TRACEY: Thanks for you advice! I will try this out tonight and let you know what I think! I put on about a stone and 10llbs very quickly!! (in about 8 months!) and previous to this a little over weight! wanted to get the weight off as quick as possible, and knew i'd need something quite rigid or I would never stick to it! So I have had it easier than a lot of you guys. Which is why I find this forum such an inspiration!! My goal is to lose a stone at first, then review it and see how much more I want to lose. I have got about another 9llbs to go to reach my first goal weight. So Tracey, am not really doing as amazingly as some of you guys. I tried the diet previously, but my councellor wasn't very good! I tried it for about two weeks, lost about 4llbs and then cheated put it back on etc. So I changed councellor, I now have a lovely one who is sooo supportive and a great help in everyway possible! So have been on the diet "properly" a week today!! (Friday 27/06/08) Have lost 13llbs in total so far. Find the weekends quite tough!! Although, it really helped starting the diet on a saturday last weekend, cos it proved to me i can get through it. Really feel the diet is working for me this time. Bit worried about tomorrow though, as I have a lunch out as it's a friends birthday. But am going to be really good today, and stick to protein tomo. How are you getting on Tracey? How much have you lost now? xx
posted Jun 27th, 2008 8:10 am