What You Should Know
The Cambridge Diet is a liquid-based diet popularized in the 1980′s in the United Kingdom, originally intended for morbidly obese patients. Based on the VLCD diet, otherwise known as the “Very Low Calorie Diet”, the Cambridge Diet combines low calorie shakes, soups, and meal replacement bars in their complete diet program. Most of the dieter’s calories are obtained through liquid supplements, and the diet is continued until the person meets his or her weight loss goal. During the weight loss period patients eat between 400 to 800 calories per day. In the United Kingdom, you need to meet with a Cambridge Diet counselor before starting the program.
The Cambridge Diet is begun with a counselor, who will determine if this is an appropriate diet for you. From there, you will need to purchase meal replacement shakes and bars, which usually range between $13.99 to around $40.00 per package. There are no free samples or money-back guarantees, but you can discontinue the program at any time. They do not say how much weight loss is expected, but patients typically report losing over 30 lbs. per month.
Ingredients
There is no ingredient information available about any products associated with The Cambridge Diet.
Product Features
The Cambridge Diet is based off the VLCD diet, which was popularized in the early 1980′s. The VLCD diet uses extreme calorie restriction combined with nutritionally-dense liquid supplements to enhance weight loss, and this method has been proven to work. Most physicians do not back the VLCD or the Cambridge Diet however, since it allows for a very small, unrealistic amount of calories per day. Patients typically consume less than 800 calories per day, and most doctors recommend consuming 1200 calories minimum for any diet.
The Cambridge Diet also claims to use the power of ketosis to speed up weight loss. It claims that by putting the body into ketosis through liquid replacements and calorie restriction, it will allow the body to burn more fat and lose weight. Ketosis occurs when the body does not receive enough calories or nutrition to function optimally. The body uses its fat stores to burn additional fat as a survival mechanism. Although ketosis does burn off additional fat, it also burns additional muscle during this process and it is generally considered unhealthy by the medical community.
Advantages
- You do not have to exercise while on this diet.
- All meals and drinks are supplied pre-prepared to you.
- They offer allergy-free drinks and bars.
Disadvantages
- The Cambridge Diet is one of the most expensive diet programs available.
- Its caloric intake is lower than the recommended standard — doctors consider this a very dangerous diet that brings users close to starvation.
- You must follow a strict diet plan without any substitutions.
- This diet is not ideal for those with heart problems or a history of eating disorders.
Conclusion
The Cambridge Diet is very risky according to doctors and medical professionals. Extreme calorie restriction is a constant source of controversy, and diets based on calories restriction have been proven to work while also easily resulting in dangerous side effects. People who embark on this diet must be in good health mentally and physically, but still need to lose excess weight. Although the cost of this diet is extremely expensive, it might be an ideal diet to discuss with your doctor, especially if you feel that your clinical obesity could lead to other health complications – Cambridge Diet counselors strongly recommend discussing this with a doctor before trying it.
I am on day 2 of the diet and am feeling extremely exhausted though i am motivated to carry on wth the diet as i dont feel happy wth the way i look. I am looking forward to putting on ma size 10 summer dress in 3 months time. I am currently a size 14. Anyone who wants to be my doet buddy plz reply to this msg and will send you an email. Just need someone who we can help each other reach our ultimate goal in loosing weight
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Shellaca,
i would love to be your diet buddy i start on friday with the diet, i am really looking for a buddy too. email me at ithequeen63 AT YAHOO
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Hi
I completed 1 month on 29th april i lost 7.5 kgs or roughly 15 lbs
In my second months week 1 feeling low and tempted but keeping it strong
If i cheat its with egg whites
I ve 10 kgs more to loose
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I’ve been on the cambridge diet for two weeks so far, the problem is I gained 3kgs instead of losing, they told me it is muscles weight, have anyone been through this before ??!
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I would like info on diet products.Please email me on the products.I’m trying to loose 100lbs I’m excited hope to see if these items work.Mary Thank-you Mary
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Hi there, I’m on day 20 of the SS, and lost 6 kilos so far and was doing fine with the every now and then crave for food of course, but not giving in. However, 2 days ago I went out and forgot to bring my 3rd meal pack and just had water, so 8 hours went by until my next shake, but since then I’ve been feeling weird and my stomach burns a bit when I have my shake or soup. Anyone would know why that is? Not really sure what the max of time in between meals is. Hope someone can help. Thanks!
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iam on warffirn and really need to loose 3to 4 stone can anyone tell me if i can do this diet as iam so desprate to feel happy with myself
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I started for 2 days before succumbing to food on the night of the 2nd day.. But after that i got backed on and on the third day of restarting i lost 3 kilos. It was really awesome.
Previously, i had fasted and i did lost 7 kilos but i was very tired and my sugar level increased as i only consumed Milo and lots of breath mints. So this diet is much healthier and ensures that you are inputing calories at a very low rate.
However i would like to ask when i reached to my ideal weight, can i consume food normally without gaining too much back?? I know it’s recommended to at least have a CWP for a meal and if consumed too oily food, go on SS for a day as a detox program. So, will i gain back??
Thanks!!
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It kinda annoys me how everyone keeps claiming this diet is dangerous. I know many people (myself included) who have been able to get and keep off enormous amounts of weight, going from (morbidly) obese to a healthy weight and none of us have had to deal with any problems healthwise. As the diet has been around for decades and considering in some countries(like mine) counsellors urge clients to ask a GP for permission to start the diet, I really dont think its fair to scare people with these alarming reviews. This diet is, provided you commit to doing it 100%, a garantuee for losing great amounts of weight
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I was morbidly obese and have lost 40 kg with this diet and have had no side effects. I so agree with “me” above!
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I agree with me. I’ve been on Cambridge diet for 4 months and lost 4 half stone. I’m 47 and have been super obese for 25 years!! Stick to the rules especially the drinking of water. I’ve done every diet invented but the Cambridge has been the easiest for me and I’ve suffered no side effects and feel GREAT!!! it’s not about if the diet is right it’s about is your head in the right place and are you motivated enough to succeed!
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I am on day 2. Side effects are headache and hunger. I will stick with this 100% otherwise it is not worth it. Will keep updating on progress.
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Hello. Iam hopefully starting the plan this week. Iam just waiting on the consultant gettin back 2 me. I hop I can do this.
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i have attempted the diet so many time but there is some thing different about it this time i have been having 2 porridge.I only like the original one and i find it holds me better.I have also been having a bar a day
I have loads of water now and also black tea before bed.My wedding is in july and i want to lose 4 stone if i can for now.Nothing tastes as good as success xxx
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im starting cambridge tomorro and need to lose roughly 4stone does any1 know how long this will take roughly?
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I lost 3 stone in 1 wk feel fantastic
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im on day 10 n i was in ketsis last wk n lost weight this week i have eaten a few chips n put on a lb, does anyone no can u still loose weight if ur not in ketosis n could i get bk into ketosis if i dnt snack no more?.
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hi ema the weight you put on after eating is water due to you eating carbs get straight back to the diet and if you do choose to eat try eating protein rich food ie eggs meat etc
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Hi ,I am on week two of this diet and it is going very well.I have lost 11 lbs in the first week .There is no point going on this diet if you do not stick to the rules 100%.When the weight has come off then you will need a maintenance plan to guide you back into normal food again .
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i started the Cambridge diet but on the week ends i might eat something more and then start it again on monday is that ok or it doesnt help with the weight loss?
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Hi Marina. I started the diet 4 weeks ago and on the second week I went away for a weekend and although I did not over indulge i put all of the weight back on that i had lost 5 days prior to going away. I have since stuck rigidly to the diet even though at times I feel very weak. I have tried to allow my self a treat on a weekend such as a small wine but just that one treat seems to put 2lb back on. I don’t quite understand why and it may not be the same for everone but that’s what happens to me, frustratingly!
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Thanks Kim, I am on third day now of ss im not finding it to difficult just when im making kids packed lunchs haha, You have done so well with your weight loss and 12lb wont be too long! well i hope im as successful as you. x
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Hi could someone please please help i am starting the ss diet on monday i know i will be able to stick to it but my concern is im going away with my family in august all-inclusive and i want to eat and drink because thats what part of your hols are! so is it possible to have a break for a fortnight and not put 3months of weight loss back on, i wont suddenly bloat up in those two weeks or wouuld i?
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Hi Joanne, i’m 10 weeks into the cambridge diet i have done ss for 8 weeks and am now introducing food, ive had a weekend off the diet around week 6 and ate fairly normally, i still lost 2lb that week but found that i was full very quickly and got indegestion. I also found it quite hard to stick to ss afterwards. Iv’e lost 30lb now and 24 inches in total and still have 12lb to go, its slowed down alot now which is a bit frustrating but im still determined.
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i am seventy eight yrars of age do you rcommend it
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I am on day three of sole source and I feel a little sick, nausea, running stomach and tiredness. I did not experience such sympthoms the first time i tried the diet.
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hiya lily these are all side effects of the diet they will dissappear in a few days its carb withdrawel. your body is haveing one last chance to get you to eat cabs before it goes into keytosis. stick with it itll all be worth it in the end, i promise…
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i feel the same lily which is making it harder for me to do but its my wedding in two weeks and i want to look good which is making it a little easier for me to do just remember your going to look even better than what you do now afterwards just think of that dress etc what you want to fit in and summer is on its way good luck.
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i am on day two of the diet and i am really struggling. I am super hungry today and everyone at work is eating smelly food around me but i am just thinking of the end result…
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I am on day two of the diet and i am really struggling as i am so hungry…. but i am thinking of the end result. I find the soup and shakes fill me up the most but would also like to try the porridge.
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