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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 4 of 57, 1131 total comments)sonia
how much weight could I lose in 3 weeks
posted Aug 8th, 2010 12:58 pmsonia
Hi im starting the CD on wednesday and am very excited. I want to loose about two stone. I just wanted to ask can you eat any vegatables on this diet?
posted Aug 8th, 2010 12:56 pmElisabeth M Gordon
EXCELLENT. It very defintely works. I only like the Vanilla Shake. I mix it with approx 20 mls of really cold water (from the fridge)as I prefer a cold & milder taste PLUS 3 teasp Psyllium Husks for fibre and which gives it a slightly thicker texture PLUS 2 teasps of Spiulina. I then beat it well and drink immediately. Deeelicious. The soups? I like the veg and Oriental one. I mix with 10mls of very hot water PLUS lots of parsley and a few green veg. I then beat it as before...with an electric blender. The bars...the cranberry one is my favoutite. I cut it up into small pieces and nibble it with a cup of green tea. Persevere. It's worth it.
posted Jun 30th, 2010 9:03 amAnnette MacLean
First weigh in lost 11 lbs I am delighted !
posted Jun 9th, 2010 4:45 pmAnnette MacLean
day four feeling so much better and pleased I have stuck to it !Glad Saturday is by tho :)
posted Jun 6th, 2010 6:26 amAnnette MacLean
Hi ,I have am on day two of this diet ,struggling a bit ,headachey but determined to do my best .
posted Jun 4th, 2010 10:53 amhattie
Hello,
posted May 31st, 2010 5:34 amMarisa, thanks for feedback. Can I ask you how long did it take you to loose 85lbs? Did you exercise during the diet to tone up or are did you do it on higher plans? How are you finding maintaining your weight loss.
Thanks well done on your fab loss x
Gracie
I am 27, a mom of 3 and very interested in the diet but i am breastfeeding a 6month old. I am willing to stop nursing because i am currently 18st and my BMI is well over 42. I need to lose almost half my weight because the older you get the harder it is to lose the weight and i need a bit of advice.
posted May 22nd, 2010 11:16 amMarisa
Hello everyone, I recently lost 85 pounds on this diet, and wanted to answer some of your questions. There is no risk to your heart, because there is enough protien in the shakes to keep your heart (a muscle) strong. I personally used 5 of the FFL shakes per day. I had one every three hours, with water or diet coke inbetween. 3 or 4 per day was not enough for me. I did not put anything in my mouth that I had to chew, as that can increase your appetite, just the 5 shakes and nothing else. The first three days are hell, then it starts to get easier on day 4. By two weeks, as long as you haven't cheated at all, you will feel great, and not be hungry. BUT, don't cheat, if you do, you have to start over again. You will feel cravings with 5 shakes, but not true hunger. Good luck, you can do it!
posted May 15th, 2010 1:55 amyuli
this is my second day i feel a little weak and headache a bit but im more strong then i thought i would be.
posted May 13th, 2010 6:32 amI thought i saw my face less blown up in one day.
could be my mind but it feels good
good luck were in this together
self management . taking charge
thanks for the comments very inspirational
Marie
I started C.D 2 weeks ago and have just been weighted for the 2nd time, I have lost 15lb in 2 weeks, which is the most I have ever lost on any doet in such a short space of time, I only have another couple of stone to lose so I am delighted with how quickly this can be achieved. I have even cheated a little, I have drank coke zero, eaten sugar free gum and also all types of meat, pork, lamb etc. I really havent struggled and feel full from the shakes. I would say to anyone starting this or thinking of starting the first 3 / 4 days are the hardest when you try to adjust to no snacking. I have found having a bar rather than a shake for lunch breaks up the day and gives me something to look forward to eating. But I recomend the diet 100%, it really is quick weight loss
posted Apr 22nd, 2010 5:58 amjenniem123
Hi im new to this, so bare with me, i started sole source yesterday, i feel hungry but not starving, i hope it stays like this as i could live with that for a while lol, Just a question.....What damage does this diet have on the heart? x :)
posted Apr 21st, 2010 2:46 amJules
This is my first day on ss and finding it hard so far. Heard that it does get better after day 4 tho.Does it make any difference to weight loss if you have the odd diet coke/ coke zero, any one tried this with positive results ???
posted Apr 19th, 2010 11:50 ampoppy
Hi, i am 12 stone and starting cd on sunday, how much weight can be expected to lose in 6 weeks doing sole source? x
posted Apr 15th, 2010 1:55 pmabi cutie 91
Just because I have been to couselling sessions before and I hated them! but no where seems to sell it online! please help! xxx
posted Apr 10th, 2010 12:47 pmabi cutie 91
Hey, I need to lose about 2 stone...where can I get CD and is it just 3 shakes a day, one for breakfast, lunch and dinner.along with light exercise?...can you get it online?..and does it work?! Advie would be great! thank youu xxx
posted Apr 10th, 2010 12:25 pmdonna
hi everyone, im am starting ss on mon as i have 8 wks til i go on holiday and 2 stone to lose! i did this diet last year april-july and lost 3 1/2 stone and managed to maintain it till xmas but have since eaten like a pig and put nearly 2 stone on- gutted!! am determined now to get into it again and start to feel great again. best diet ive ever done- will keep you posted. well done everyone and keep up the good work!!
posted Apr 9th, 2010 9:33 amperminder kaur
I THINK THIS IS THE BEST DIET I HAVE BEEN ON,AS I HAVE STARTED TO LOSE THE WEIGHT.AND I FEEL SLIM AGAIN.
posted Apr 8th, 2010 5:16 pmhayley
i've been on cambridge for 5 days now and the first 2 days were awful! mind tricks, feeling sick, dizzy, weakness, sweats...ec.t, but now i have past that iam doing fine, i have now got over the temptation of eating food around me. At the start of this i had 3 stone to lose, in 5 days iam already 8lb lighter! Good Luck everyone, if you ever feel like throwing in the towel...remember we are all going through the same and will get through it together. :-)
posted Mar 19th, 2010 1:28 pmsuzi
hello
posted Mar 11th, 2010 9:45 amI have 4 stone to loose i am starting on Tue i am so nervous any advice people x