Cambridge Diet

Louisepp

They really ought to supply a catheter along with the 'meals'. I remember it well

Louisepp

Toots wrote: »

So am I okay as I only drink decaf ? (although I've had another litre of tapwater since my post - yuk!)

Well done:A Don't forget you can have sparkling water. That makes a change. I used to keep a sports bottle of water with me all the time, and sip throughout the day. I also had about 1/2 litre when I woke up in the morning before I got up. I'm not a great water drinking either.

Can't answer about the decaf. I have never heard Cambridge say anything about avoiding caffeinated, so I guess they don't have a problem with decaff either. Do try to chose water though. There are both carbs and calories in black coffee. Caffeinated and decaf.

If I was you, I wouldn't try to come of caffeinated until you are really settled with the diet because of the caff withdrawals. Actually, that's a lie, as I did do the caff withdrawal when I started the diet, but only because I didn't know any better at the time.:o

lynzpower

I thought the only teas you can have are leaf teas- ie not fruit teas ( eg lemon & ginger, or blackberry tyope numbers) only peppermint or normal leaf tea - thats right isnt it.

Louisepp

lynzpower wrote: »

I thought the only teas you can have are leaf teas- ie not fruit teas ( eg lemon & ginger, or blackberry tyope numbers) only peppermint or normal leaf tea - thats right isnt it.

Yep. You can have green tea too

Cute_'n'_Quirky

Louisepp wrote: »

Can't answer about the decaf. I have never heard Cambridge say anything about avoiding caffeinated, so I guess they don't have a problem with decaff either. Do try to chose water though. There are both carbs and calories in black coffee. Caffeinated and decaf.

.:o

To get the story straight -

Coffee most certainly does not contain either carbs or calories!! It is high in potassium which can help with cramps due to the diuretic quality of a low-carb diet.

Too much caffeine can make you feel very hungry since caffeine intake can lead to insulin resistance. Cambridge do say to cut back on the amount of coffee we drink for that very reason. Atkins says the same.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

Toots wrote: »

My CDC told me when you get to one stone above your target you go up to the 790 diet for one week etc as you have said and then up through the next stages. The only difference in what you have said is that she has told me that they are not trying to get you to a BMI of 25 but to 23 because this allows you to be able to put a little bit of weight on.

If your target weight is to be the weight at which your BMI is 25 then we have been given the same info.

To do Sole Source (SS), Add-A-Meal (AAM) or the 790 your BMI must be no lower than 25 + 1 stone as these programmes are considered to be a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)


All the higher programmes (1000, 1200, and 1500) are ok to use as long as your BMI is not underweight.

If you have followed SS, then your BMI drops to say 26, you should then move to 790 for 1 week and then up to 1000 where you will continue your weight loss to your desired BMI.


Ideally your counsellor should calculate your BMI at your weekly weigh in to see where you are and advise as necessary.


After you have reached your target you should continue on 1500kcals until you are happy to maintain naturally through healthy eating.


Please note that If you increase your activity levels and exercise regime, then you will require a higher calorie and water intake.


So you should be on 790 now and 1000 by BMI 25. If your CDC allows you to do anything else she is breaking her code of conduct as they must all comply with this guidance.

By not eating enough you will in fact slow down your weightloss and could possibly lose lean body mass - muscle the thing that actually burns fat

Sorry if this is not want you want to hear, however, your health is the most important thing here.


edited to add - this is taken from www.cambridgedieters.com which I have recommended all the way through this thread. If you have started CD then please do go there - it is very helpful

Louisepp

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

To get the story straight -

Coffee most certainly does not contain either carbs or calories!!

All my calorie/carb counters are wrong then. I use weightlossresource, which has a cal and carb count, but checked

http://www.dietbites.com/Carbohydrates-In-Foods/coffee-cocoa-tea.html
http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/beverages/search.php?cat=Coffee&fg=1400
http://www.carb-counter.org/beverages/search/Coffee/1400

Probably more. There certainly isn't enough to make much of a difference but if you are taking all your 2.25L in coffee, it knocks it up a bit and might be okay for atkins, but Cambridge isn't atkins! You are right that there are none in filter coffee, but most people don't drink that all day long.

Too much caffeine can make you feel very hungry since caffeine intake can lead to insulin resistance. Cambridge do say to cut back on the amount of coffee we drink for that very reason.

You say that Cambridge officially say you must be careful with coffee and now you say they tell you to cut back because of the insulin resistance.

Though I don't dispute the facts that all things in moderation, none of my Cambridge notes say anything about Cambridge themselves mentioning this.

May I ask where you are getting this 'official' source?

CD_Counsellor

Hi,

I have been reading this thread with interest. Please let me introduce myself.

My name is Linda and I am a senior counsellor for Cambridge Health and Weight plan. I have been a counsellor for 20 years.

Thank you Cute 'n' Quirky for posting the official guidance re the BMI rule originally posted on the official CD forum cambridgedieters.com which you have kindly copied for readers of this forum. This was posted by Kerensa our PR Execuitve. This guidance was laid down in the 1980's and all counsellors should comply with the recommendations.

Thank you Louisepp for your excellent advice and well done on your massive weightloss and maintenance for 2 years now.

If anyone would like help or assistance regarding the Cambridge Diet in the first instance please chat with your CDC. I am more than happy to answer any queries for you.

Linda
CD Counsellor

Cute_'n'_Quirky

Louisepp wrote: »

All my calorie/carb counters are wrong then. I use weightlossresource, which has a cal and carb count, but checked

http://www.dietbites.com/Carbohydrates-In-Foods/coffee-cocoa-tea.html
http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/beverages/search.php?cat=Coffee&fg=1400
http://www.carb-counter.org/beverages/search/Coffee/1400

Probably more. There certainly isn't enough to make much of a difference but if you are taking all your 2.25L in coffee, it knocks it up a bit and might be okay for atkins, but Cambridge isn't atkins! You are right that there are none in filter coffee, but most people don't drink that all day long.

You say that Cambridge officially say you must be careful with coffee and now you say they tell you to cut back because of the insulin resistance.

Though I don't dispute the facts that all things in moderation, none of my Cambridge notes say anything about Cambridge themselves mentioning this.

May I ask where you are getting this 'official' source?

Plain black coffee contains no carbs and no calories!!

It only contains potassium!!!!

Coffee should be limited to 2/3 cups per day - do remember that some people drink far in excess of that during a normal day. If you have someone who drinks a lot of coffee in a day they will find that it makes them hungry, the same was as chewing gum - although that doesn't affect me. If someone has decaff coffee they wouldn't get the problems that caffeinated coffee brings.

I actually read this somewhere on the cambridgedieters.com site - which is fabulous - which is also where the quoted piece was from - in blue - re the steps and stages of CD.

Great to see a CD Councillor here to keep you straight - Linda is very good and very helpful.

CD_Counsellor

Ideally your extra fluid should be water, with cups of tea and coffee taken in addition. You should drink your tea and coffee without milk or sugar although you may use a calorie-free sweetener. Use a tablet type sweetener, not the powdered kind that comes in a jar, cardboard pack or sachet.

Because both coffee and tea contain caffeine, it is advisable, whilst on the diet, not to drink more than you normally do. But you should not cut down on your normal intake either, as this could lead to withdrawal headaches and edginess.:eek:

Many years ago we always advised to change to decaff, however, it was proven that some people experienced severe withdrawal headaches from the caffeine that added to the headaches from carb withdrawal made it intolerable to some.