Cambridge diet

The Cambridge diet is a restricted calorie plan that has been popular for over twenty years.

The Cambridge diet includes an eating plan, formula foods, and the support of a counsellor. The Cambridge diet includes six steps of progressively increasing calories, as follows:

• Step 1: 415-554 kcal
• Step 2: 790 kcal
• Step 3: 1000 kcal
• Step 4: 1200 kcal
• Step 5: 1500 kcal
• Step 6: Maintenance

Step one relies entirely on the proprietary formula food in place of meals. It is very low calorie, and thus difficult to maintain for a long period, but may be suitable for those who feel the need to kick start their weight loss.

It's also a chance to completely avoid the temptations of conventional food for a short while. It is designed for people with a BMI above 25, or those who need to lose at least a stone.

Step two, also known as the 'green and white' stage, adds selected lean protein and vegetables to the 3 or 4 meal replacements, while in step three fruit and carbohydrates are added.

By the time you reach step four (1200 calories) a greater variety of conventional food can be added to your daily menu. This plan follows good basic principals, including:

• Avoiding fat
• Restricting salt
• Eating fibre
• Reducing sugar intake
• Restrict alcohol
• Avoiding fast food
• With its emphasis on eating healthy foods, and structured maintenance programme, it offers a good choice for someone who wants to lose weight and keep it off. A week's supply of formula meals costs around ?30-35, and includes the support of a counsellor.