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 27 of 59, 1175 total comments)dizzydonna
Hiya monkeytrace, that website is www.reachmygoal.co.uk Had a bad weekend with a planed 30th on sunday and carried on eating monday. Back on it now but the other half is cooking bacon butties forhim and the kids and i really want one :-(
posted Aug 27th, 2008 10:44 amAmanda Stuart
I really struggled with the Cambridge Diet although i'm please to say having fallen off the band wagon so many times before I'm now back on it and determined to lose the 6 stone Ihave to shift, ideally before christmas although I feel thats pushing!
posted Aug 27th, 2008 10:44 ammonkeytrace
27 Aug - Hi all had my weigh in last night lost 2.2Ibs so in total that is 15 Ibs in 3 weeks so 1 Stone down Whoo Hooo. Got 2 more to go - really craving the food now and a drink. Going to start substituting a shake for a small meal at night so I can go back to gym. Did some gardening on the weekend and almost passed out. Good luck to everyone over the weekend. Keep it up.
posted Aug 27th, 2008 10:44 amjackie68
27th aug hi everyone hope every1 is doin ok just a quick update i am now in week 4 of ss and have lost 22lb so far i am soooo pleased as i wanted 2 lose 2 stone b4 my hol i av only got 6lb left 2 lose in my first goal and 2 weeks left b4 my hol 2 do it in, then wen i get bak of hol straight bak on ss cus still got 4-5 stone to lose, i am finding cd really easy and it feels like its my way of life now just 3 shakes aday and water i av got 2 introduce food on sat (which will be weird) cant wait for my hol and i am also takin shakes with me and just havin the meal at teatime i will update wen i get bak off hol 2 let every1 no how i did (hopefully not put 2 much bak on), well keep up the good work every1 and just remember its not 4 ever being so strict on ss i just no i will maintain this wen i av reached my goal i never want 2 go bak 2 the size i was b4.JANE: that is wot i am scared of that i wont be able fasten the seat belt but hopefully with losing 2 stone i shud be ok will let u no wen i get bak, takecare every1 bye xxxxx
posted Aug 27th, 2008 10:44 amFAN
i went on holiday 3 weeks ago and i put on 8ib i was very pleased i could,nt back on it. last week i went camping i tryed to be good i wasnt now i am back with no holidays for a while i carnt get back on track i just want to eat please help what do i do
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 amshazi
26/08/2008 my first day on ss. have a terrible headache. m starving already, have cheated already with half a packet of crisps.(could'nt resist it). gotta loose 4 stones. can anyone advise me how i can stick with my ss during ramzan especially with no drinking at all from dawn to dusk.. please advise.
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 amshazia
Hi all, started ss today... feeling terrible. have a severe headache. have cheated already with half a packet of crisps. ;-) got 4 stones to loose. so wish me luck. would anyone advise me how do i survive with ss during ramzan? (especially with no liquid and food.).... HELP.
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 amvikki
Hi all, some great weight losses I see. Stretch that is an amazing loss! Very good message regarding maintenance hope you keep us updated on the changes that you have made and how it has gone. I have been on the diet nearly four weeks but havent had my fourth weigh in as of yet. I have had a few vodka diet cokes 3 each time I have been out. Which I know is cheating but Im 21 my social life is going out and it is so hard to not have anything at all. It doesnt make me wanna stuff my face though because I feel like I have had a little treat. So when my mates head to the chippy on the way home I ring the taxi and stand outside. Am finding drinking all the water is getting harder not easier and this month has been one of the longest months of my life! haha sounds dramatic but I didnt realise when I started this how much food is part of my social and family life. Definately takes some major adjustments. But I am proud of my progress and I will hang in and hopefully will be feeling a million dollars by Christmas! Best of luck to all the new starters and congratulations to everyone who is sticking at it! xxx
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 amGemma
Had a very hard weekend, let myself go on Friday, however got weighted in yesterday and lost another 3 lbs so well happy with that. Have 12 lbs left to go. AMANDA: I had the bars last week and still had a very good weight loss, they are only 30 kcals more that a shake etc, Toffee is nice! Good luck to all this week x
posted Aug 26th, 2008 10:34 ammonkeytrace
Almost 3 weeks now got my weigh in tomorrow lost 6kgs so far 14 more to go by Dec 11th. This long weekend has been really hard you just don't realise how much food is appart of everything and everyone, this would be easier if I lived alone - no smells of pizza and hot dogs :-) but will hang in there. Agree deff feeling colder I use to never get cold. Dizzydonna what is that website address? Good luck to everyone this week, keep the faith.
posted Aug 25th, 2008 10:02 amStretch
Started the Cd late June and have lost 3.75 stone in nearly 8 weeks. I followed the instructions to detail in regards to drinking the 3-4 litres of water daily and made sure I had the required shakes/soups spread out during each day too. I'm now starting to move towards the latter stages of the program and have done a lot of research in how to maintain my new weight. Remember when you start this diet you should be making a commitment to change the way you view food for the rest of your life. I for one found this diet extremely easy to follow. Good luck to anyone who tries this diet but I would advise use a good CD Counsellor their guidance and advise will be invaluable.
posted Aug 24th, 2008 8:31 pmAmanda
Hi all! Glad to hear about all of your successful weight loss. I've been on the cd for 6 days and have lost 6 pounds - but I still feel really rough with headaches, tiredness and nausea. Has anyone found anything similar? Also do you find you loose less weight eating the bars? Thanks
posted Aug 24th, 2008 11:26 amjane
Hi to you all - have not long got back from hols and have enjoyed reading your comments. well i took my cd products on hols with me for breakfast and lunch, and ate a meal during the evening - no problem. However, I drank like a fish which is extremely unusual for me (really), and consequently, because i wasnt eating much, was fairly drunk most of the time - even looking for my tia maria fix at 10.30 in the MORNING. However - had a fantastic holiday - put on 7lbs, just been for my first weigh in since coming back and have lost 11lbs!!. So I am a very happy bunny. Just booked our hol for NEXT year - and hopefuly will b looking for size 10 clothes!!. PS wonderful being able to actually do the seatbelt up on the plane - and it was LOOSE!!. Keep up the good work everyone - I think we all agree its worth it. x.
posted Aug 21st, 2008 4:14 pmGemma
Well done EVE64 you must feel fantastic. SIBELLE: Thanks for all those tips, certainly going to try the ice cream one and the strewberry mousse. Can i cook my chicken in water with like a chicken oxo cube then? Havent got a booklet like that so will ask her on Monday. VIKKI: Your doing well, how long have you been on it for? So how many vokda's do you have at a weekend and how come you manage not too eat as my will power goes after a good few!! Hope you all have a good bank holiday weekend, weigh in on Monday so will inform you all have i've gone next week, x
posted Aug 21st, 2008 8:58 ampipz5
Hey Guys !! well done to everyone on their loses! it is amazing! I am due to start next weds as away for this wkd coming ! Starting on 810 see how i go with that and then poss go ss. I have got 3-4 stone to loose so fingers crossed !! good luck everyone xx
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmlorraine
hi had my 1st way in lost 11lb really pleased feel a bit better this week changed my trears for normal shakes much better well will let u no about next weigh in keep it up good luck ////
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmvikki
I have posted two comments before and they havent come up? How annoying. Have lost a grand total of 16lb's and if Im honest Ive had vodka and dietcoke every weekend. I've had chicken every other day. But I do about 2 or 3 hours exercise a week aswel. I fell off the bandwagon at the weekend as was away for a friends 21st and still lost weight...Am gonna try and be very strict for the next 3 weeks before my boyfriends birthday as Id love to lose another stone. Ive not used any spray or oils with my chicken but I have added some tobasco, coriander and chili powder. V. Nice. Well Done everyone keep me in the loop. xxx
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmSibelle
p.s. what are people's experiences of add-a-meal week like? Do you still lose weight?
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmSibelle
19 Aug - I have only lost half a pound this week!! Very frustrating, but I did lose some inches and my ketostix are telling me i'm still in ketosis so it must all be water retention. I hope so anyway! I'm gona keep at it and maybe it'll be a bigger loss next week?! Did anyone else have this problem? GEMMA, I don't think using 1kcal spray will be a problem. I usually cook my chicken in some water with half a cube of chicken stock to give it some flavour. Did your counsellor give you a booklet? It tells you how to make 'muffins' or out of your choc shakes. I have tried making mousse out of choc shakes and choc tetras but found that the colour and consistency reminded me of liver! I did quite like the strawberry shake as a mousse. And i love the choc tetra as an icecream. DIZZYDONNA, i used to get very hungry at night and coped by eating a quarter of a cambridge bar (I love the caramel one) and a glass of water. stick with it, am sure u will be fine! good luck everyone!
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmGemma
Sutfhunny: I have felt freezing since being on SS, even got heating on in my office, everybody moans when walking in!! Good luck in weigh in tomorrow, let us know how it goes x
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pm