Cambridge Diet Background
The origin of the Cambridge Diet dates back to the early 1970s when Cambridge University professor Dr. Alan Howard researched a way to create a meal replacement formula that packed in all the nutritional requirements using the least calories. Nutritionist and food chemist Dr. Dennis Jones joined Howard's team in 1973 and developed the existing research into a patented consumer product. The Cambridge Plan International bought rights to the formula, modified the flavor of the replacement to suit the American palate, and introduced the Cambridge Diet to the United States in 1979.
What's On the Menu?
Cambridge Diet products are sold exclusively through distributors. In addition to the powdered original formula, sold in flavors, such as French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate and Banana Cream, additional products have been added to the line-up. Some of these include the Food for Life Products (formulated to meet United States Food and Drug Administration nutritional guidelines), as well as cereals, soups, nutrition bars, beverage crystals and puddings. Most Cambridge Diet products are sold in containers or packets and mixed with water before they are consumed.
All Cambridge Diet products are extremely low in calories. For example, one serving of the original diet formula contains 110 calories. A serving of the Food for Life chicken soup contains 140 calories, and a caramel nutrition bar contains 150. Depending on the dieter's specific needs, there are several programs offered by the Cambridge Diet that may include consuming nothing but Cambridge Diet products or using them along with low-calorie meals.
Fast Start Program
The Fast Start Program is recommended for people with between 10 and 15 lbs. to lose who want to do so as fast as possible. Dieters consume three servings of the Cambridge Food for Life Nutrition products a day for a sum total of 420 calories. The Fast Start Program should not continue after two weeks unless a dieter is being monitored by a physician.
Regular Program
The Cambridge Diet website describes the Regular Program as the Cambridge Diet's most "flexible" plans and purports that dieters can lose between 2 and 5 lbs. per week. Dieters consume three daily servings of the Cambridge Food for Life Nutrition formula, as well as 400 calories of regular food, for a total of 820 calories. The Regular Program is maintained until weight loss goals are met.
Medically-Monitored Program
For those with more than 30 lbs. to lose, the Physician Monitored Program is appropriate. This 420-calorie a day plan also uses Cambridge Food for Life Nutrition products as the only source of nutrition and is similar to the Fast Start Program, only extended for a longer period of time and under a doctor's care. Dieters switch to the Regular Program when they are 10 to 15 lbs. shy of meeting their target weight.
Maintenance Program
One a dieter reaches the desired weight, Cambridge Diet Food for Life Nutrition formula products can be used as appropriate while integrating more conventional foods back into the daily diet. If pounds are gained, dieters can always return to the diet program that worked for them before or increase their level of physical activity.
Other Cambridge Diet Requirements
In addition to Cambridge Diet products and/or conventional food, the plan requires dieters to drink at least 10 8 oz. glasses of water daily. Dieters can drink tea, decaf coffee or other zero-calorie beverages, but cannot substitute them for water. Exercise is also emphasized on the Cambridge Diet. The official website recommends that those new to physical activity take a 30- to 45-minute walk three times every week.
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