The higher-level Cambridge programmes - from 820 to 1500cal - can be used for stabilisation as well as weight loss.

In Stabilisation, you will supplement Cambridge meals with selected foods. This will help to ensure long-term weight maintenance, but will also prevent short-term weight regain. This stabilisation builds towards the final level of energy intake required to achieve a long-term stable weight.

Stabilisation should not be hurried. A minimum of a week should be spent on each Step – two weeks is better. The basic plan is to start stabilisation on the step above that which was used to lose weight. For example, if you used the Sole Source programme (Step 1) to lose weight, you should start stabilisation with ‘Add a Meal’, then move to Step 2 – 820 kcal and so on. The longer you spend at this phase, the more successful you will be in achieving a long-term stable – and maintainable – weight.

If the recommendations are followed to the letter then you should continue to shed a little more weight during this period of stabilisation. For this reason, there is no need to go below target weight to allow for rebound weight-gain as there will be none once weight loss has stopped.