Cambridge Diet

The Cambridge Diet is a low-calorie weight loss plan developed in 1970 by Dr. Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England[1]. It was first used exclusively in weight loss clinics, and then launched as a commercial product in the United States in 1980, with distribution in the UK beginning in 1984.[2] The Cambridge diet became very popular in the United States in the 1980s, and the Cambridge company says it has helped over 15 million people lose weight.

The diet formula is intended to harness "the excellent weight loss properties of starvation", while providing enough protein to protect lean tissue, the right level of carbohydrate to promote a mild ketosis (the body's fasting mode, which burns body fat) and eliminate a sense of hunger, and the right levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids to maintain good health.[2] The meals are intended to combine all necessary food groups to satisfy a body’s nutritional needs, in order to allow a person to stop craving foods and overeating.

The company recommends eating only three of their pre-packaged meals a day (a total of 500 calories or less), for the fastest weight loss, or combining their meals with some regular food for more gradual weight loss. The food consists of nutrition bars, shakes, soups, or formulas in various flavors. Cambridge also recommends at least eight glasses of water a day.

The diet discourages alcohol, chewing gum, and high-energy exercises while on this diet.

Controversy

The Cambridge Diet has been subject to much criticism and speculation in recent times, due in many ways to the controversial views of Cambridge Diet founder John Parish

- In America a full investigation is being led by top scientists into the connection between Cancers of the Bowel, Mouth, and Colon, and Impotency as possible effects of long term Diet use

- Some have dismissed the Cambridge Diet as the standard 'Hollywood Fad' Diet. Famous users include Posh Spice, Penelope Cruz and Beyonce Knowles. Kelly Osbourne has described the Diet as 'tasting like crap' and that anyone would lose weight when 'starved'

-Cambridge Diet founder John Parish has caused outrage with his links to far right political party the BNP. His views have come under criticism as being rascist. He was quoted as saying I originally invented the formula for the progression of the Ayran race however what he means by this is unclear.

-Pacifists have launched full campaigns against the use of the Diet which feeds various armies across the world. Parish commented that the army contracts have made him 'richer than his wildest dreams'. Amnesty have brought into question the policy of selling food to the Chinese regime occupying Tibet. Parish would only say 'The Cambridge Diet is a perfect way of ensuring soldiers get the essential vitamins and minerals needed to do their duty' also commenting that 'it is not my responsibility to decide who is right and wrong in a military contact. I am just a businessman' also adding that 'I'm sure Hitler and Mussolini would have used the Diet if it had been around during the Second World W