Unwanted pregnancy is just one of the many possible side effects of a diet that many Australians are trying out. Reports have said that around 10,000 Australians have tried out the Cambridge Weight Plan, which involves eating special products alongside specified quantities of food plus fruit and milk.
Other possible side effects of the diet are bad breath, coldness, constipation, cramping, diarrhea, hair loss, headache, halted periods nausea, skin rashes, sagging skin, less sleep and thirst. Some are said to be accompanying symptoms of weight loss.
440kcal a day is dangerous, unhealthy and crazy! avoid 'fad diets' https://t.co/wTqiYfcTw9#fitfam #fitness #diet #calories
— Hench Nutrition (@HenchNutrition) June 5, 2016
Diet Under Investigation
"In more than 30 years of trading Cambridge Weight Plan have never had a customer experience a serious side effect," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted a spokesperson from the Cambridge Diet Plan. The spokesperson said that side effects from the diet are only felt for a short while.
The Daily Mail reported that the diet is facing inspection under Australian law because many of the Cambridge Diet Plan's special products that it instructs people to eat "do not meet the minimum 200 calories per serving required under Australian standards." Some of the products are shakes and soups, bars, dessert and pasta.
A Six Step Diet Plan
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, two Greek-Australians who successfully sold the diet in Cyprus were the ones who introduced the Cambridge Weight Plan to Australia back in 2012. The diet is said to have originated from research in England during the late 60s and early 70s, which was consequently followed up by a Polish scientist.
The Cambridge Weight Plan has six steps, with the first step requiring someone to eat either 440-555 kcal under Sole Source a day or 640 kcal under Sole Source Plus. Subsequent steps will require someone to eat in increasing quantity, with the ideal weight reached at the sixth part of the program.
