User rating
Keep up with Diets in Review
Get Weekly Email Updates (sample)
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Follow us on Pinterest
Home 
Diets
Calorie Counting
How Does
Cambridge Diet Compare?
BACKGROUND
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
PRO
CON
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Cambridge Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
Cambridge Diet Review (UPDATED 2025): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
A liquid diet that may be too calorie restrictive for long-term success.
Top Rated Diets of 2025What is it?
The Cambridge Diet is a weight loss program offering pre-packed meals, counseling, and low calorie meal suggestions. It’s considered a VLCD, which means it’s a very low calorie diet.
One can select between 415 to 1500 calories depending on one’s weight loss goals, gender, and tolerance. Consultants are offered not just to guide, but to recommend what calorie limit one should follow. There have been numerous diets observed by our experts, and the highest rated one has been the 18Shake Diet. It offers a diet pill and meal replacement shakes that aim to reduce appetite for hours, all while providing fat burning effects with its all natural ingredients. More information about the 18Shake Diet can be seen in the link here.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2025?
Cambridge DietIngredients and Side Effects
Here are some noteworthy ingredients added to their prepackaged foods:
|
Skimmed Milk Powder |
Maltodextrin |
Guar Gum |
Refined Fractionated Palm Oil |
Acesulfame K |
|
Sucralose |
Carrageenan |
Flavourings |
Dried Glucose Syrup |
Silicon Dioxide |
|
Oligofructose |
|
|||
Guar Gum:Fiber extract taken from the guar plant. It’s used as a general thickener in processed foods, as well as a laxative. It can promote side effects that include:
• Diarrhea, gas, and loose stools.
• Indigestion, nausea, and stomach pains.
Acesulfame K: Artificial sweetener around 200 times sweeter than standard sugar. A study by PLOS One found that:
“Long-Term Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Alters Neurometabolic Functions”
This study showed that in mice there was an effect on insulin and leptin levels. The same study added:
“chronic use… could affect cognitive functions, potentially via altering neuro-metabolic functions”
It also has shown the potential for other side effects according to a review by the Oxford Journals:
“long-dated function on the adult’s sweet preference”
This study was conducted on mice that were given their mother’s breast milk or amniotic fluid in birth, and their preference for sweets changed.
Sucralose: Artificialsweetener that can be around 1,000 times much sweeter than sugar. It has been used controversially since some studies have shown it to be potentially dangerous. One such study was performed by Duke University and it revealed:
“numerous adverse effects”
“reduction in beneficial fecal microflora, increased fecal pH, and enhancedexpression levels of P-gp”
This means the body considers it a toxin, and it reduces healthy bacteria which helps support the immune system according to this clinical study.
Carrageenan: Thickener and binder extractedfrom red seaweed.The University of Iowa ran a study which showed:
“carcinogenic properties of degraded carrageenan”
“ulcerations and neoplasms in association with exposure to carrageenan”
This has shown the possibility for causing serious issues in the body.
The link provided here has the top 10 ranked diets of the year.
The types of foods offered by the Cambridge Diet are meal replacement shakes, bars, pasta, rice, soups, desserts, and other snacks. According to the official website:
“products contain the vitamins and minerals you need for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss”
Most of what one eats will be the prepackaged foods. This can make it easier to handle a caloric loss, as the foods are specially formulated to be lower in calories. There are also 6 steps outlined one must follow, though where one begins depends on what the counselor advises. Here are the steps:
• Sole Source: 3 to 4 prepackaged foods are eaten a day. The Sole Source Plus option allows for 3 prepacked goods alongside meal of 200 calories, or 4 of the companies meals with 200 ml of skimmed milk.
• 2nd Stage: Protein rich meals are added as well as some skimmed milk and vegetables alongside up o Cambridge meals. It’s typically limited to 810 calories a day for a week long period.
• 3rd Stage: 2 of the meals, some milk, and a 1,000 calorie a day limit. This is enforced for 2 weeks.
• 4th Stage: 2 prepackaged meals, some skimmed milk, and more regular meals.
• 5th Stage: One Cambridge meal and breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner for a total of 1500 calories.
• 6th Stage: Once your heathy weight is reached, this stage helps maintain results. One prepackaged meal a day is recommended alongside continued support from a consultant.
It’s unclear whether or not the consultants have any background in diet and nutrition. It’s unlikely however that they use real certified dieticians, which can be potentially dangerous or lead to wrong advice. Our experts have analyzed many diets and have ranked the top 10 in the list here.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.
Cambridge Diet Quality of Ingredients
Since the beginning of the program asks for a majority of foods to be selected from the company’s prepackaged foods, it’s important for the ingredients to be wholesome.
Unfortunately, they use artificial sweeteners and cheap thickeners often used to replace fiber. These kinds of additives can actually make weight loss harder, as studies have shown they may cause metabolism disorders as well as other side effects.
It’s also difficult to understand what kind of help is provided by the counselors, which remains to be seen whether or not they are actually certified to give health and nutrition advice. The link provided here has a list of the highest rated diets.
A review on the Cambridge Diet was performed by the British Dietetic Association, and they have listed possible side effects which include:
“bad breathe, a dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation”
They also advise for medical support when a person is to receive less than 600 calories, which some plans offered by the company suggest only 450 calories a day. It’s unclear if the counselors offer any support for this type of reduction in calories.
The Price and Quality of Cambridge Diet
The price depends more on how often once decides to use the prepackaged meals. The official website states it will cost per week 48.30 pounds, which rounds to a weekly price of $63.46. Since this is a UK based plan, no consultations are available outside the US. In fact, on the official site there is a map where support and availability is offered, and there are no listings for the US.
The quality of meals is poor, as the additives included are often found in processed foods. It can also be expensive to have to keep using the company’s foods, as the final stage of maintenance requires one pre-packaged meal a day.
Business of Cambridge Diet
The contact information for the diet is as follows:
Phone Number: (44)(0) 1536 403344
Address:Stafford House, 10 Brakey Road
Corby, Northants, NN17 5LU
Email: [email protected]
The official website lists how to become a paid consultant for the company. Nowhere in the job skills is there any notice for people to have a background in health and nutrition. The company only asks for people with a background in sales who are organized and can plan ahead.
This means that it’s likely the people who are meant to give support have no skills in helping people with weight loss. The link cited here has the top 10 ranked diets.
EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of Cambridge Diet
Here are some direct quotes from user reviews:
“not the best diet health wise… nails went brittle thin, hair began to thin rapidly”
“never felt full, I always felt hungry”
“Having a bad time with motivation”
“the first few days are the hardest”
Though there were some weight loss results for people, there were also issues due to a lack of calories. Many felt weakened, less energetic, and much more fatigued than usual.
Some also had symptoms that are clear signs of nutrient deficiencies such as brittle and weak nails, thin hair, and increased stress. This was often the case for people who attempted this diet.
The top 10 ranked diet plans can be seeninthe link provided here.
Conclusion - Does Cambridge DietWork?
The Cambridge Diet is similar to other diet plans which offer pre-packaged foods. There’s also counseling offered, but it’s clear that the support is from people who are more business people rather than nutrition experts. Many of the foods offered have processed ingredients, though they are low in calories. Reviews have been mixed with some experiencing health issues and hunger. Though a low calorie plan like this can work, any reduction in calories can result in weight loss. There’s nothing special added to the prepackaged foods which isn’t found in a standard processed meal.
Our experts have performed many reviews and have discovered that the most effective diet is the 18Shake Diet. It provides a combination of a meal replacement and a diet pill. They both provide only natural ingredients, no stimulants, and no unwanted artificial or additives. Its effects include appetite suppression, increased fat burning, and more. When used together it enhances weight loss at a faster rate. Customers have also left positive testimonials on the official website.
The 18Shake Diet is also supported by a full 30 day money back guarantee. This allows for people to try this product risk free, and with no questions asked. More information about the specifics of the 18Shake Diet is available here.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Easy to follow
- Cheap Price
- Fast Results
- High Protein Diet
- 91/100
-
-
- Dukan Diet
- 89/100
-
-
- Paleo Diet
- 87/100
-
- Plexus Slim
- 77/100
-
- Cambridge Diet
- 35 /100
-
-
BACKGROUND
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
With new diets hitting the market faster than we can lose a pound, it is not too often that you stumble upon a diet that has been around for more than 20 years. The Cambridge Diet has proudly clocked some years under its svelte belt. Developed in the 80s, it still enjoys a very loyal and passionate audience of dieters who have been successful at losing weight and keeping it off.
It is a liquid diet program that involves drinking 3 servings of the signature Cambridge Diet formula each day with or without food. The three servings provide you with protein (either 30 or 50 grams), carbohydrates, fat, fiber and your daily-required vitamin and mineral allowances.
About ten years ago, the Cambridge Diet added an additional product to their 330 Original Product. The 420 Food for Life product contains 100% of the required daily protein needs in 3 servings whereas the 330 Product contains 75% of the required protein. The protein source comes from whey and soy. Both of them are nutritional supplements that do not contain drugs, medicine, stimulants or herbs.
There are four ways for you to follow the Cambridge Diet: - The Fast Track: Consume 3-4 servings of Cambridge a day and no additional food. - The Alternate Program: Use 3-4 servings of Cambridge for one day with no food and then the following day, consume 3 servings of Cambridge with the addition of 400-800 calories of low fat, low calorie health food. Continue to alternate in this manner. - The Regular Program: Eat 3 servings of Cambridge 15- 20 minutes prior to each low calorie meal. Calories should not exceed 400-800 for the entire day. - The Regular Program 2: Consume 3 servings of Cambridge and eat one meal of low calorie food each day. Calories should not exceed 400- 800 calories for the entire day.
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2025?
PRO
- Cambridge Diet contains all the essential nutrients
- Has a proven success rate
- Safe for diabetics and those with high blood pressure
CON
- Its limited consumption of food may incite excessive eating
- May be too calorically-restrictive for some individuals
- Does not teach you to eat in a healthy and long-term way
- Long-term weight loss may not be sustained
- Calories might be too restrictive for exercise
DIET and NUTRITION
The foundation of the Cambridge Diet is its signature line of shakes. They come in an array of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, eggnog, strawberry, cappuccino, banana cream and many more. The shakes come in two styles: The Original and the Food for Life.
The Food for Life product contains 51 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fat and 140 calories per shake. It also includes 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals. The Original contains 31 grams of protein and contains about 110 calories per shake.
There is also a line of additional Cambridge products like soups, nutrition bars, and super oats.
When taken the prescribed three times a day, you'll only consume 420 calories. If you select to follow a plan that allows for food, you should not consume anymore than an additional 800 calories a day and these calories should come from low-calorie and low-fat foods like vegetables and lean proteins. If you are on the smaller side, it is recommended that you only consume an additional 400 calories on top of the 420 calories for the Cambridge products.
You are also strongly encouraged to drink at least 3-4 liters of water each day.
EXERCISE
Since the Cambridge Diet is so restrictive, exercise should be done cautiously. It is not recommended to start a new strenuous exercise program while on the Cambridge Diet. Moderate exercise like walking or biking is useful once you start to lose weight, providing that it is approached with caution and not done with excess.
CONCLUSION
There is no question that The Cambridge Diet has been around for a long time. And in the process, many have had luck losing weight by following its strict dietary regimen. Since the diet is so low in calories, check with your doctor before starting it, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
The Cambridge Diet devotees swear by the diet's ability to help them lose weight as long as the program is followed correctly. But like most diets that rely on shakes or supplements to shed pounds, its potential for long-term weight loss and for instilling sound and healthy eating habits in you is not that promising.
Common Misspellings
cambrdge Diet, cambradge diet, cambridge deit, camebridge diet, cambridge liquid diet, cambridgediet.com
Featured Diets and Supplements
Cambridge Diet?
User Feedback
(Page 26 of 59, 1175 total comments)Aylin
I love the support network you all have going on here! Excellent to read about it! I lost 13 1/2 stone on Cambridge/LL and I've kept it all off for 3 years+ now. I'm making enquiries into becoming a Cambridge Coun. myself now :) It's possible ladies, and it's all worth it! Keep up the good work!! x
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pmSuzH
Hi everyone - have been on the diet for10 days now - lost 7.5 pounds in my first week and 2 inches off my waist hooray!! Whenever I need a boost, I just pop on here and read all the reviews. The plus side of all this water drinking is my skin is starting to look and feel great - hooray for water!!
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pmLoopylau
Morning guys, just a quick update for you all... im now on 'DAY 4.' & feelin so much better! No headaches, no faintness, no rumbling tummy! I visted my counsellor last night to exchange some of my shakes for some soups as i was craving somthing warm and savoury, the cheese and brocoli soup is lovely & actually felt like i was eating a proper meal! So... as i was there my counsellor asked me if i wanted a quick peek on the scales & to give myself some motivation to carry on (bearing in mind my offical 1st weigh in is on Monday of next wk) so i did! Cant beleive the results... had to get off the scales and jump back on.... i had lost '12 lbs' in 3 days! Yes 12 lbs! This really has given me the motivation to carry on! I have 5 stone to lose in all, (well 4 stone & 2 lbs now) and hope to lose a few more lbs before my offical 1st weigh in on Monday!!!! So... all the pain and side effects is worth it guys... carry on and keep with it! I shall update you on my first weigh in on Monday evening for final results of wk 1.!!!! Thank you all for your encouragement!!!!!!! xxxx
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pmLoopylau
OMG...CHEEKY... thats amazing! Thankyou for your reply! I think im going to try and make a list of 'things to do' to keep busy! Feeling very weak and dizzy 2day, so i expect by the wkend i shall just want to rest, but list is on stand by! lol! Well done for losing so much weight! Thats amazing! U have shown me that it is possible, i to have alot to lose, and just hope i start to find it a little easier by wk 2. xx
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pmjackie68
10th sep hi every1 i av had my 6th weigh in and lost 26lb and WOW wot a difference in my clothes i go away on sat and just need 2 lose 2lb so i hit 2 stone b4 my hol, i feel so much better in myself, has any1 tried the porridge yet YUK!!! i luv porridge but not this 1 lol,i can honestly say i av found this diet pretty easy but i do think u av 2 be in the right frame of mind i av tried every diet goin and this is by far the best 4 me. CHEEKY: well done on your loss u av done so well hope i do as well as you, wen i get bak of hol i need 2 lose a further 4/5 stone and i can c a light at the end of the tunnel lol i am avin my first hol away with my partner (without kids) in april nxt year and cant wait really excited that i will be at my target by then, well goodluck luck every1 and keep up the good work will post in 2 weeks take care xxxxxx
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pmcheeky
hiya guys how are you all doing hope you have all had a good w'end and a good week so far., loopylau at weekends i have to keep myself busy cuz if i don't thats when i start to want to pick. i have been doing this diet for 17 weeks and so far i have lost 66lbs and 42 inches still got a bit more to go but i will get there. i lost 7lbs on sat which i was shocked abdout as my counsellor was on hols. keep up the hard work speak soon x
posted Sep 9th, 2008 12:17 pmlorraine
hi just had my 3rd weight done and lost 6lbs thats 1st and 5lb in 3 weeks really pleased because i have been a little bit naughty this week ,well keep it up its worth it
posted Sep 9th, 2008 12:17 pmLoopylau
Hello everyone... Im only on day 2 of the SS and finding it a little hard! Can anyone tell me if its normal to feel sick, but not actually be sick? Will this feeling pass? A little cold too, but have read back and can see other people have had the same effect! BUT... i am determined to do this and have made a mood board of images and people who i can look up too (figure wise!) lol! Keep up the good work all! xx
posted Sep 9th, 2008 12:17 pmSue
Hiya, am on day 6 of the sole source and getting weighed today for the first time, fingers crossed. Have found it hard and feeling sick most of the time, does anyone know why? Have about 8 stone to loose and know its a struggle to do as been dieting on and off for the last 10 years.
posted Sep 8th, 2008 7:25 amLaura T
Hiya, am in the early days still of sole source but am looking ahead and wondering about the best way to maintain the weight loss once the Cambridge part is finished and when I will be at my goal weight. People keep saying that as long as you eat correctly once the weight has come off then you will be ok, but what is the best diet. 1,500 calorie per day, atkins, GI, food combining? Anyone out there lost weight and kept it off can advise?
posted Sep 5th, 2008 8:26 pmLoopylau
Hi all! I have my first meeting this evening with my counsellor to get things started & just wanted to say... after reading all your comments and discussions you have given the boast i needed to get onto this!!!! Im excited about waking up Monday morning & beginning somthing new and rewarding, but at the same time feel scared and nervous i wont be able to stick through the hard times!!! Can anyone tell me what they do over the wkends to take your mind off eating snacks!!!!!!! Thanx again peeps & keep up the good work!!! x
posted Sep 5th, 2008 8:26 pmBabyGhurl
hey guys i am 11 stone and 5ft1 as you can see thats really overweight would really like to get down to 8 stone:) i am going to try this diet if you have any comments for me and what kind of excercise i could do and how long it would take me much appreciated x
posted Sep 5th, 2008 8:26 pmcheeky
hey guys how are you all doing i have had such a miserable 2 weeks, my counsellor has been on hols and it has been horid, first week was okay but this week is not good i paid for extra bars so if i do get the urge to pick at summat naughty i can pick at my bar. all i keep thinking about is sat to get weighed half of me is excited as iam hoping i have lost weight and the other half is dreading it in case i have put any on! fingers crossed! damian that is a fantastic weight loss bet you so happy keep it up and everyone your all doing so well. by christmas or before we will all be slim to enjoy a good shopping spree and see the new slim us in the new year!
posted Sep 3rd, 2008 8:57 amDamian
I have been on this diet for 2 weeks now. I'm 21 and had piled on about 3 stone by pigging out and drinking alcohol at least 4-5 times a week. At first everyone is telling me "I couldn't do without food", it's a mind over matter thing because obviously I couldnt do without food to be the weight I was. My first week I lost a stone, the second week i lost 1/2 stone! It's easy.. there's no negative things to say about it!
posted Sep 2nd, 2008 10:02 pmlynne
hi i have just read all the comments and am really excited i have my first appiontment tonight which is the first step to me losing 4 stone and keeping it off!! i feel really posative and think i will just log in and have a read if a feel down in the next few days! I WILL not give up i dont know why but i know that this is it i will lose this weight in the next 4 months!
posted Sep 2nd, 2008 8:37 ammonkeytrace
Cheers for the website address dizzydonna. I know the amount of good smelling food I go through in a day it is a killer. I keep running to my room or outside to escape. But one day SOON we will get to the point were we can eat healthy and spoil ourselves once a month and look like a skinny doing it :-)
posted Sep 1st, 2008 8:33 ammonkeytrace
1st Sep went out this weekend and did not have a drink pheww tough one I tell you. So I am going to start having two shakes then a meal at night so I can go back to gym. Has anyone else done this and how did you find it going back to sport if anyone has any advise on cambridge + eating + sport please can you email me - because I don't want to stop loosing weight, I have got just over 3 months till I go home for Christmas and gotta get into a bakini (as dawnting as that sounds). Does anyone else drink green tea as well. I do this because I smoke just to have some other taste besides water. Hope you all have a good week. Keep it up I can feel it in my clothes and things actually fit loosely now and I dont feel like a giant overflowing cup cake anymore :-)
posted Sep 1st, 2008 8:33 amhayley.c
Hi! i was just looking for a bit of advice, i have done this diet so many times and the longest i have lasted is a wk and a half! i really want to do this diet as i no it works but i just seem to get so hungry, even though im drinking 4 ltrs of water a day, by lunchtime and then by the time i finish work i just want to have a proper meal. how do you all keep going?! i have 4 stone to shift and could do with some advice on how you all get through the hunger stage!!!!
posted Sep 1st, 2008 8:32 amlorraine
hi to u all ,2nd week lost 16lb in two weeks so all good dew on soon and i just wont to eat ,got to keeo goin must lose at least 4 to5 stone keep up good work ,
posted Sep 1st, 2008 8:32 amkimm
hi all im goin to see my councillor l8r and pick up my supplies although scared an really excited ,i just so wanna do this.
posted Sep 1st, 2008 8:32 am