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Cambridge Diet
The Cambridge Diet is based in the United Kingdom. It has it’s origins from the Cambridge University in the late 1970s. The Cambridge Diet was officially launched in 1984, but now has distributors worldwide.
The Diet Plan
The Cambridge Diet is a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) and is made up of pre-packaged foods. The foods have been formulated to provide precise amounts of vitamins, nutrients and calories – and are available as sachets (shakes or soups), bars, or “brix”.
The daily calorie levels start as low as 415-500 calories per day. After a period of time (a maximum of 4 weeks), the calorie levels are upped (first to 790, then to 1,000 calories per day).
It is essential that copious amounts of water are drunk during the diet to avoid dehydration.
A Risky Endeavor
The Cambridge Diet should be used only under the guidance of a medical practitioner In the UK, the diet is only available through accredited counselors and to people with a BMI above 25.
Despite research confirming the benefits of VLCD’s they should only be used under medical supervision. Exercise cannot be maintained (except for very low intensity exercise) during the diet, and additional fiber may be required to prevent constipation.
Be very careful with the Cambridge Diet.
Different Versions?
The Cambridge Diet is only available through distributors. The distributors in the USA provide slightly different formulations to those in the UK.
See Also
www.cambridge-diet.co.uk – Official homepage of the Cambridge Diet
Hellen good job.i have lost 16.5lbs in 16 days on ss.
This is my 1oth day on sole source, couldn’t believe my first weigh in total loss 10lbs and hav’nt felt so good in years !
I started the sole source 15 days ago and i lost 6.5kgs.i would say about 14 lbs.
i need to mention i weighted 82.4kgs at first and now 75.9 kgs.i am not that hungry but i crave.i dod not cheat, but i find hard to eat the soups anymore.i need a diet buddy if u r interested.
my goal is to reach 60 kgs
good luck all
I think CD is great. I have exercised, eaten healthy every day for 6 yrs and lost pratically nothing. I did my annual bloodtests and had developed high cholesterol, tryglicerides, pre ostoarthitis, this spurred me do use CD. I was fedup of working hard to lose weight with nothing happening and meeting people on CD who had lost loads of weight. Anyway started 5/9/11 and have lost 40kgs (i also have pcos and hypothyroid). Did bloods last week and they are perfect plus i havent seen a period without hormones for 6 years …..until last week! I know its not the healthiest thing to do, but with a start weight of 136kgs, doing this diet for a few months is going to less harm than being severely overweight for 6 years.
Hi Kelly,
I am not a cambridge consultant, but I have some comments and health advise for you when using any low calories diet meal.
(1) For this so called “water retention” in your body while using this diet, you can try to add some protein into your meal is your BMI is not above 30.
Try to eat about 2 slices of wholemeal bread for lunch instead of CMD or add two slices of bread (low fat oat/wheat-bread) with the replacement meal. You will find the effect better.
(2) Even if you want to try sole source, mix with low fat milk will be better to prevent bile acid from accumulating thus preventing bile stones formed. You cannot use ANY very low diet meal for long, it will be dangerous.
(3) You can try to replace your dinner with the CMD and breakfast and lunch you can eat properly you can lose weight better and faster than you do a sole source. If this is your case.
(4) You have to drink plenty of water as advise, as there are chemical reactions going on in the body producing many toxics but try to avoid too much at night. One thing to note, while on this diet, try not to eat any salty food as sodium and fats will cause water retention especially of toxic in the body cellulites.
Yeah I got this on week 2 I only lost 3lb
I’ve just had my first weigh in, I’m on Sole source plus and I only lost 2lb I’m absolutley gutted becaus I have worked so hard this week!! My consultant says it may be fluid retention, has anyone else experienced this little loss in week 1 or fluid retention?
I’m not going to give up but I am really annoyd and my motivations been dented!! Feedback or support would help, thanks