subject: The Cambridge Diet: A Diet Scheme Worth Checking Out [print this page] Officially launched in 1984, Cambridge diet traces its origin from Cambridge University in the late 1970s in the United Kingdom. Despite new diet formulas being introduced in the market nowadays, this diet program managed to earn the loyalty of dieters who have seen tremendous success in losing weight and maintaining their ideal weight by strictly following this regimen.
It is a very low calorie diet and involves taking in 3 servings of the pre-packaged Cambridge diet formula everyday with or withoud food intake. The foods that have been formulated provides precise amounts of nutrients, calories and essential vitamins, available as shakes, soups and bars. It can be used as the sole source of nutrition for consistently fast and predictable weight loss with assurance of nutritionally-sufficient diet, being composed of conventional food for more gradual weight loss or weight maintenance couple with nutritional supplementation..
The diet program ranges from 415 to1500 calories per day. It is nutritionally balanced thus providing the recommended daily allowance of both vitamins and minerals. Starting at as low as 415 to 500 calories per day, it is levelled up to 790 after a maximum of 4 weeks then to 1,000 calories per day.
However, despite wide acceptance of this diet program among loyal and passionate dieters as well as research confirming the benefits of very low calorie diet, this program should only be used under the guidance of a medical practitioner. It is necessary to consult ones doctor prior to starting any form of exercise, except for very low intensity exercise while on this diet. It may be necessary to add more fiber during the diet to prevent constipation. Likewise, it is essential to drink a good amount of water during the diet for the prevention of dehydration.
The advantages of a Cambridge diet include:
Proven successful by many dieters around the world
Safe for both diabetics and hypertensive individuals
Considered nutritionally-sufficient
Its disadvantages are listed below:
Some individuals may find it too calorie-restrictive
There is no guarantee that long-term weight loss can be sustained
The limitation set on food consumption may ironically led to overeating
Having very low calorie diet may be too restrict to engage in exercise
Following the strict dietary regimen characteristic of this diet program, one may find it suitable especially if success has been attained in the course of going through it. However, as in other types of dietary programs, it is necessary to seek medical advice prior to beginning Cambridge diet.
