New Zealand

The research undertaken to develop Cambridge Weight Plan, shows that protein and carbohydrate provided by the diet are sufficient to protect against lean body tissue losses. All Cambridge Weight Plan products are ISO22000 affiliated and complies with the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) Code for nutritional composition and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).

It is very important to keep hydrated while using Cambridge Weight Plan and this is why we recommend drinking at least 2.25 litres of fluid per day (extra fluid on a hot day). This helps to maintain blood volume and to prevent dehydration. You should also remember to spread your fluid intake throughout the day and avoid consuming a large amount at once.

There are several reasons. A good rule of thumb for good health is to drink 2-3 litres of fluid a day whether trying to lose weight or not. If the Cambridge Weight Plan is used as the sole source of nutrition, this is the minimum for good health. The reasons for this include: On Step 1, it is necessary to compensate for the fluid that would otherwise have been taken in through food. It is important to keep the body’s fluid levels topped up to prevent the unpleasant symptoms of dehydration – headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and constipation. Cambridge Weight Plan offers balanced nutrition but in a very concentrated form, therefore if you are using ready-made shakes or bars, we recommend that you drink 250ml of water with each product. Extra fluid enables the body to get rid of the waste products associated with the breakdown of fats resulting from weight loss.

You can limit one per day but this, along with tea and coffee is not counted as the minimum 2.25L water per day. However, you can flavour water by adding mint, lemon or cucumber for a refreshing drink. Herbal tea, fruit tea, regular tea and coffee can add variety.

No. Alcohol is very high in calories (7kcal/gram) and has no other significant nutritional value. Alcohol is not medically recommended while following a reduced calorie diet.

Consumption of large quantities of coffee or cola is not recommended. If you feel you must drink them, the decaffeinated and sugarfree forms are preferred. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the body systems and sometimes provides an irritant effect. Herbal and fruit teas offer a pleasant alternative.

Some hunger may be experienced during the first one or two days but on the third day it usually disappears completely. This is because your body has adjusted to its new balance of a reduced total calorie intake per day. If you cheat and consume extra calories, you will become very hungry indeed because eating food only stimulates your hunger more, so it is best to try and stick to the plan.

It is best to avoid it if possible because chewing gum stimulates the release of gastric juices, which in turn will make you feel hungry. If you really need to, then only chew for two or three minutes and limit to no more than 3 per day.

No, Cambridge Weight Plan is nutritionally complete. The big plus about Cambridge Weight Plan is that unlike other weight loss programmes you do not need to take extra supplements. Each item offers a third of the recommended daily allowance of all vitamins, minerals and trace elements, so three a day gives the required amount of these. The main worry when people go on food-based diets is that reduction in food means reduced nutrient intake, which in turn can put health at risk. It is impossible to achieve complete nutritional support from conventional food on less than 1000 kcal a day. Even then, extensive nutritional knowledge and a wide variety of foods need to be consumed to ensure adequate intake of all those vitamins and minerals. Cambridge Weight Plan has solved that problem by formulating a diet that has programmes (up to 1500 kcal per day) using the diet as a nutritional foundation with conventional food. Cambridge Weight Plan customers have confidence that they can lose weight safely and not put their health at risk.

Yes. Cambridge Weight Plan products provide all the necessary nutrients for one day to keep your body in a good nutritional state and it is very important to take the full amount.

We have no upper age limit to stopping someone using our programmes. The risk of medical conditions as a person gets older increases, which may dictate which of our Steps you should start on. If you have an underlying medical condition or have medical concerns, we would advise all customers to consult their GP before starting any weight loss programme.

Children under 14 cannot use any Cambridge Weight Plan programme. Teenagers between 14 and under 18 should be encouraged to eat healthily and increase levels of physical activity. If this is unsuccessful, then a Cambridge Weight Plan Step with food (Step 3: 1000kcal/day, Step 4: 1200kcal/day or Step 5: 1500 kcal/day) can be followed. The recommendations for these Steps are very specific, carefully structured and easy to follow. The support of the child’s parent or guardian is essential and they would need to accompany the adolescent to the weekly meetings with a Consultant. The support of the GP is essential for all programmes. Step 2: 800 kcal/day may be started with GP approval. This would be the lowest Cambridge Weight Plan Step this age range would be able to go on.

Yes. Problems arising at the start of the Step 1 Plan can be prevented by preparing yourself in the week prior to the agreed start date by gradually reducing food intake, particularly carbohydrates. This will prevent carbohydrate withdrawal headaches and hasten the onset of ketosis with all its benefits – particularly reduced hunger. Increasing water intake to 1.7 litres per day is also a good step to take. If you have suffered from constipation in the past, then using a natural bulking agent (e.g. Cambridge Fibre or psyllium husk) at a level appropriate to your needs may prevent constipation. Constipation can be a side effect of Step 1 due to the lack of bulk, although a higher Step is often recommended if you have a history of constipation. Contact Cambridge Weight Plan via contact form and check with your GP if necessary. Preparation will prevent “The Last Supper Syndrome”, i.e. a binge the day before starting, which increases glycogen stores and increasing feelings of tiredness and hunger. We recommend that you prepare for a week on the next Step up from that selected for weight loss. For example, if it was agreed to follow the Step 2 plan for weight loss, prepare by using Step 3, then drop down for the weight loss phase.

At the beginning of your weight loss journey. The importance of long-term weight management needs to be made clear to anyone embarking on a Cambridge Weight Plan programme at whatever step/calorie level. Weight management does not start when your target weight is achieved – it should be a significant component of your weight loss journey. Successful long-term weight management is only achieved by making long-term and permanent changes to your lifestyle and diet. Your Consultant will help you to consider these changes early on in your weight loss to prepare you for when you reach target. Cambridge Weight Plan is not a “quick fix” – the role of the Plan and your Consultant will be ongoing for long term weight loss maintenance.

If you achieve a desired weight and then go back to the bad eating habits that put the weight on in the first place, it is inevitable that the weight lost will be regained. Cambridge Weight Plan gives effective weight loss but it also provides a sound nutritional base for those who are at their desired weight and who want to maintain it by following the stabilisation step/programme.

Cambridge Weight Plan encourages all the well-known principles of healthy eating and a physically active lifestyle. Being physically active forms an important part of your weight loss journey, and is also key to your long-term weight management. How much exercise you undertake depends on a number of factors: what Step you are following, any medical conditions you have or medications you take, your current capability for exercise, age, lifestyle and your current level of activity. It is recommended that other than gentle walking, no physical activity be undertaken in the first two weeks of Step 1. This will allow your body to adjust to being on the Step you are following. After this period, gentle to moderate intensity exercise is encouraged. If you want to do rigorous exercise at the gym or you are in training for a sports event, Step 3 or more would be more suitable.

Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Muslim year. During daylight hours, rigid fasting is observed, which means that Cambridge Weight Plan and water will need to be consumed before sunrise and after sundown. During the time available, intake should be spread out as evenly as possible and might necessitate rising a bit earlier. It may be permissible to delay the fast for health reasons, or alternatively commence the Step 1 plan after Eid ul-Fitr. Most of the Cambridge Weight Products are Halal certified.

Because of the restricted calorie intake of some Cambridge programmes, we have established a comprehensive medical protocol designed to give Consultants guidelines on the most suitable programme for Clients (approved by the medical team). This takes into consideration any medical conditions and certain medications, while allowing the flexibility of using higher calorie programmes. Sometimes it is not appropriate for any of our Steps to be used. If any of the following apply to you, you will NOT be able to start on any of the programmes. -Your BMI is below 20 -You are a child below 14 years of age. We have a separate protocol for adolescents between 14 and under 18 -You have had a heart attack or stroke within the past three months -You are prescribed a medication known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor -You take anti-obesity medication and intend to continue using it -You are a substance misuser or you are dependent on alcohol -You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have given birth within the last three months Please feel free to contact us if you would like to enquire to see if you have any queries.

All Cambridge Weight Plan clients are given personal one-on-one support by a trained Consultant. Part of this support includes a medical screening at your first meeting to ensure that you are suitable to begin the Cambridge Weight Plan. As an ethical business, it is our responsibility to avoid putting our clients at risk, such as those with an eating disorder, or others who might have a serious medical condition and need medical supervision during weight loss. The welfare of our clients is more important to us than profit.

Of course not! We have just as many men who complete our Plan successfully as we do women. Check out some success stories at awards.cambridgeweightplan.com

We offer a virtual consulting service. Only trained and accredited Consultants can offer this service via Skype, Facetime, phone/text/email, as you would if you were seeing your Consultant face-to-face.