Brenda Khan
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement diet developed in the 1960s by Dr Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England. It was initially used in hospital weight loss programs for people with clinically severe or morbid obesity. The diet has been characterised as a fad diet due to its starvation-level calorie intake, extreme weight loss, and rapid rise and fall in popularity in the 1980s. The diet starts with an 800-calorie phase made up of shakes, soups, and bars. Cambridge Diet shakes can be purchased online and are available in a variety of flavours, including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Developed in the 1960s by Dr Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England. |
| Initially used in hospital weight loss programs. | |
| Launched as a commercial product in the US in 1980 and in the UK in 1984. | |
| Calorie Intake | Very low-calorie diet (VLCD), with modern guidelines recommending <1000 kcal/day for no more than 12 weeks and <600 kcal/day only under medical supervision. |
| The diet has specified calorie intakes over time, including 330 kcal/day when launched, 450 kcal/day in 2019, and currently 800 kcal/day for the initial 12-week phase. | |
| Phases/Steps | Six staggered "steps" starting with "Sole Source," where only branded products are consumed, and ending with "Maintenance," which includes a healthy diet with occasional meal replacements. |
| The initial 12-week, 800-calorie phase includes shakes, soups, and bars designed to provide daily nutritional requirements. | |
| Side Effects | Possible adverse effects include bad breath, dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation. |
| Slashing carbs can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, irritability, and low mood due to reduced serotonin production. | |
| Cost | Requires buying at least two weeks' worth of products at a time, which can be expensive. |
| Average cost per meal is around £2.63, and prices vary among consultants, ranging from £2.99 to €3.44. | |
| Support | Provides one-to-one consultant-led support, with regular contact through calls, texts, and social media. |
| Consultants act as personal weight-loss coaches and help choose and stick to a plan. | |
| Taster Pack | Available to try different products before buying, providing a variety of options to find preferred tastes. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a Cambridge Diet shake flavour
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement diet developed in the 1960s by Dr Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England. It was initially used in hospital weight loss programs for people with clinically severe or "morbid" obesity. The diet has been characterised as a fad diet due to its starvation-level calorie intake, extreme weight loss, and rapid rise and fall in popularity in the 1980s.
The diet has six staggered "steps", starting with Step 1 or "Sole Source", where you exclusively consume meal replacement products, including shakes, soups, and bars. The Cambridge Diet is now known as The 1:1 Diet, and you can buy a taster pack to try the different products before committing to a particular flavour.
When choosing a Cambridge Diet shake flavour, it is essential to consider your taste preferences and goals. The diet offers a range of flavours to cater to different tastes and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a shake flavour:
- Taste: Choose a flavour that you enjoy and can imagine yourself consuming regularly. The Cambridge Diet offers various options, including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana, cappuccino, lemon, raspberry, mint, apple, and more. You can also find unflavoured shakes if you prefer a more neutral taste or want to add your own flavours.
- Nutritional profile: While all Cambridge Diet shakes are designed to provide essential nutrients, some flavours may offer additional benefits. For example, certain flavours might be fortified with extra vitamins or minerals, or they may contain ingredients that provide specific health benefits, such as antioxidants or fibre.
- Allergens and intolerances: Carefully review the ingredient list of each shake flavour to ensure it accommodates any food allergies or intolerances you may have. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you may need to choose a shake that is dairy-free or based on a plant-based protein source.
- Lifestyle and personal preferences: Consider your lifestyle and any specific dietary preferences or restrictions you may have. For instance, if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, ensure that the shake's ingredients align with your ethical and dietary choices.
- Variety and combination: The Cambridge Diet offers a wide range of flavours, so you can choose multiple options to add variety to your diet. You might also find that combining certain flavours creates a tasty shake that you particularly enjoy.
- Availability and cost: Consider the availability and cost of your chosen shake flavour. Some flavours may be more readily available or affordable than others, depending on your location and budget.
Remember, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified dietician before starting any new diet, especially one as restrictive as the Cambridge Diet. They can provide personalised advice and help you determine if this diet is suitable for your specific needs and health status.
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Preparing the shake
Next, gather your ingredients and equipment. You will need a blender or shaker, as well as the Cambridge Diet shake mix and your preferred liquid base. The liquid base can be water, milk, or a dairy-free alternative. If you're feeling creative, you could even add some healthy extras like spinach or berries for additional nutrients.
Now it's time to blend! Add your chosen liquid base first to ensure a smooth consistency. Then, carefully measure out the recommended amount of Cambridge Diet shake mix and add it to the blender or shaker. Blend or shake until the powder is fully combined and there are no lumps. For a thicker shake, use less liquid, and for a thinner shake, add more liquid to your preference.
Finally, pour your shake into a glass and enjoy! You can also add ice cubes to your glass to keep your shake chilled while you drink it. It is recommended to have these shakes as a part of the staggered "steps" of the Cambridge Diet plan, where you consume pre-packaged branded products exclusively in the initial phase.
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When to have the shake
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement plan, originally developed in the 1960s for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. The diet has six steps, with the first step being to exclusively consume meal replacement products in the form of shakes, soups, and bars.
When starting the Cambridge Diet, it is important to first consult a medical professional, especially if you are experiencing obesity-related health issues. The diet should be followed for no more than 12 weeks without medical supervision, as very-low-calorie diets can lead to serious adverse health effects, including sudden death by cardiac arrest.
During the first step of the diet, you will be consuming three meal replacement products per day. These can be shakes, soups, or bars, and they are designed to fulfil your daily nutritional requirements. It is important to space out your meal replacements throughout the day to ensure you stay satiated and energised. A typical day could involve having a shake for breakfast, a soup for lunch, and a bar for dinner.
You can also have a shake as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack to help tide you over until your next meal. If you are feeling particularly hungry, you can add a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts, to your shake.
As you progress through the steps of the Cambridge Diet, you will begin to introduce healthy meals of your choice in addition to the meal replacement products. It is important to ensure that you are still consuming a balanced and nutritious diet during this step, so be mindful of the types of foods you are adding in.
Even after you have completed the Cambridge Diet, it is a good idea to keep a meal replacement product on hand, such as a shake or a bar, to help you maintain your weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
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The Cambridge Diet plan
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement diet developed in the 1960s by Dr Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England. It was initially used in hospital weight loss programs for people with clinically severe or "morbid" obesity, involving a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
The diet follows six staggered "steps", with the first step being the most extreme. During this initial 12-week phase, dieters consume only branded meal replacement products, totalling 800 calories per day. These products come in the form of shakes, soups and bars, with each containing 200 calories or less. The shakes are available in a variety of flavours, including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana, cappuccino, and raspberry.
After the initial phase, the diet progresses to include more solid foods, with dieters consuming three meal replacements and one healthy meal of their choice. The final "Maintenance" step involves following a healthy diet with occasional meal replacements.
The Cambridge Diet has been controversial due to its extremely low-calorie intake, which has raised safety concerns among nutritionists. Modern guidelines state that a diet of less than 1000 kcal/day should not be followed for more than 12 weeks, and a diet of less than 600 kcal/day should be undertaken with medical supervision. The British Dietetic Association has also listed possible adverse side effects, including bad breath, dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation. Despite the concerns, the Cambridge Diet has been scientifically proven to encourage weight loss, and thousands of people have successfully used it to lose weight.
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Potential side effects
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement diet. It was initially developed in the 1960s-1970s at Cambridge University as a low-calorie meal replacement consisting of three shakes a day. The diet has been characterised as a "fad diet" due to its starvation-level calorie intake, extreme weight loss, and rapid rise and fall in popularity in the 1980s.
The British Dietetic Association lists the following as possible adverse side effects:
- Bad breath
- Dry mouth
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Constipation
Additionally, one potential side effect of the Cambridge Diet, as well as other very low-calorie diets, is the development of gallstones. According to Diet.com, severe dieting where weight is lost at a rapid rate of three or more pounds per week increases a person's risk of gallstones. Data indicates that one-fourth of people who go on very low-calorie diets for several months end up being diagnosed with cholelithiasis, and around one-third of these cases eventually require gallbladder surgery.
Another potential consequence of the Cambridge Diet is that the body goes into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is when the body does not get the calories or nutrition it needs for energy, and starts burning its fat stores and lean muscle mass. Ketosis is a common side effect of low-carbohydrate diets or very low-calorie diets. If continued for an extended period, ketosis can result in serious damage to the kidneys and liver. However, the Cambridge Diet advises inducing ketosis as a healthy process for weight loss, which most of the medical community strongly disagrees with.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cambridge Diet is a very-low-calorie meal replacement diet developed in the 1960s by Dr Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England. It was initially used in hospital weight loss programs for people with clinically severe or "morbid" obesity.
Cambridge Diet shakes are part of the first step of the diet plan, where you exclusively consume meal replacement products. You can buy Cambridge Diet shakes in powder form and mix them with water or milk to create a nutritious shake.
There are various flavours available, including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana, cappuccino, lemon, raspberry, mint, apple, and more.
You can buy Cambridge Diet shakes online from websites such as eBay, or directly from a Cambridge Diet consultant.
The first step, also known as "Sole Source", involves exclusively consuming Cambridge Diet branded products, including shakes, soups, and bars. This step typically lasts for 12 weeks and restricts calorie intake to 800 calories or less per day.
