The Cambridge Diet is an extremely calorie restrictive diet that was designed for morbidly obese patients in the United Kingdom during the 1980s. Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Ian McLean-Baird, of West Middlesex Hospital created this liquids-only diet plan for rapid weight loss without sacrificing lean muscle mass. The Cambridge diet puts your body into a mild state of ketosis, burning fat rather than carbohydrates for energy. The diet allows between 400 and 800 calories per day and should be done only under a doctor's supervision.
Step 1
Work with your doctor and a Cambridge Diet distributor to determine if you are a good candidate for a very low calorie diet. Cambridge Diet products are available only through Cambridge consultants. You should prepare for step 1 of the diet by gradually cutting calories from your regular diet for 10 days before beginning the program. Step 1 is the most restrictive phase of the Cambridge Diet -- women under 5'8 will consume 3 shakes a day and taller women and men will consume 4 shakes per day. Each shake has approximately 140 calories, 15 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat.
Step 2
Stay on step 1 for at least one week and no more than 12 weeks. The Cambridge Weight Plan website suggests adding up to 200 calories of low-fat food or skim milk, if needed. Do not exercise during this time. After 12 weeks, if you still have a considerable amount of weight to lose, you may move to step 2 -- 800 calories per week -- for one week and then return to step 1 for another 12 weeks.
Step 3
Move on to step 2 for a minimum of one week, adding 400 calories of low-fat food in addition to your meal replacement shakes. Cambridge Diet offers bars, cereals and other products to assist your weight loss efforts. You will continue to lose weight, but at a slower pace than step 1 of the diet.
Step 4
Consult with your doctor to determine how long to stay on step 2, losing weight. You will add 200 calories per day to your diet in step 3 for a total of about 1,000 calories per day. Add an additional 200 calories for step 4 to taper off weight loss. You should also drink only 2 meal replacement shakes per day -- the majority of your calories should come from healthy food choices -- vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.
Step 5
Begin the maintenance phase of the diet by eating 1,500 calories per day. You may still drink 1 meal replacement shake, or you may choose to eat only food. Your doctor and your Cambridge Weight Plan consultant will help you make the transition to a healthy diet.
Tips and Warnings
- Cambridge diet shakes are formulated to be safe for diabetics and people with high blood pressure.
- EveryDayDiet.org warns that a low fiber diet may lead to constipation. It is essential to stay hydrated, so drink at least 8 cups of water or decaffeinated beverages per day.
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