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Home 
Diets
Calorie Counting
How Does
Cambridge Diet Compare?
BACKGROUND
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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
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- Dukan Diet
- 89/100
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- Paleo Diet
- 87/100
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- Plexus Slim
- 77/100
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- Cambridge Diet
- 35 /100
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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 28 of 59, 1175 total comments)eve64
Hi surfhunny- yes i was always cold at first its the amount of water i was drinking,it does get better though,i have just got to my goal of losing 4 stone since the end of April and i feel great i am now off the cambridge and on low GI food,keep it going if i can do it any one can as i was a foodaholic,my outlook on food has changed as well no more crisps and chocs 4 me i have done all the hard work and am not goin to ruin it now,even my neighbours have walked passed me and not recognised me !!!
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmSurfhunny
Well, I've just been for my first weigh in, and have lost 9 and 3/4lbs. So I'm pleased with that, looking forward to week 2. Still haven't had the temptation to cheat, so hopefully it stays that way. I felt so good after my weigh in that I even ventured back to the gym, I was really surprised to find that I can still do almost as much as I used to before I started. That's great because it was the one thing I was worried about - not being able to exercise.
posted Aug 20th, 2008 5:10 pmGemma
Good news i still managed to loose 2 lbs even after the bad Saturday so now pleased and back on track for a good weight loss next Monday. Does any body know if you can cook Chicken in 1 Kcal spray ? Any tips what we can do different with shakes, bars etc ? Anyone tried the mouse? Good luck everyone for the week x
posted Aug 19th, 2008 9:06 amdizzydonna
19/08/08: Hiya All. Well, first week on sole source is now over and done with. I made it and I haven't cheated once (although I have been tempted). My councillor finished so I have had to find a new one. Th new cambridge councillor has her own website, reach my goal. They're trying to get as many people on it as possible by all accounts, and i think its good, they have all recipes and things on there, so worth a look!! I have lost 9 and 1/4 in my first week. Still another 5stone 4lb 3/4 to go tho :-s. Felt extremely disheartened to have only lost so much, although not sure what i was hoping for. Been woken a few times with major stomach cramps and nausea, but not actualy vomitted. Struggling to drink all the water, especially as usually I am a pepsi girl! I'm hoping to lose as much weight as physically possible by the end of november as I am going to choose my wedding dress and will have an initial fitting!! My final fitting will be in February so I am hoping to be as close to my target weight as possible.
posted Aug 19th, 2008 9:06 amSurfhunny
Well guys I've made it to the end of week 1 yay!!!! I've survived a family bbq and my friends wedding without mishap and I'm so proud of myself! LORRAINE- I felt a bit sicky on day 5 too and I had the runs, but it didn't last long, I haven't had the tetra shakes though, so I wonder if it's just one of those things??? Has anyone else felt really really cold in the first week?? I know the weather isn't exactly tropical, but I've been freezing for the last 3 or 4 days. I'm really looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. I'd love a big loss but I'm not expecting miracles.
posted Aug 19th, 2008 9:06 amKAT
lost 7lb in week 1 on ss... with a few mishaps, but i'm really gonna try hard on week 2, fingers X'ed x
posted Aug 18th, 2008 10:19 amGemma
Well i completely lost it on Saturday, had a drink and then got the munchies and had way too much to eat!! All that had work over last 2 weeks gone to waste as now put a good few pounds back on, weigh in tonight and so unhappy! Cant believe how the weight goes back on and so much and from just one day!! Very concerned now that when you do actually come off the diet the weight will go back on quickly, even if you are careful 6 days out of 7. Good luck to you who just started and dont give in to the drink as its certainly not worth it! x
posted Aug 18th, 2008 10:19 amlorraine
hi, to u all on my 5th day and felin a bit sicky does any one get the runs with the terta shakes ,i dont wont to give up because i no it s workin got my frist way in on monday will lt u no how it goes on keep up the good work .,,,,,,,
posted Aug 17th, 2008 9:42 amJEMMA
HI everyone. i love reading everyone's comments it is really good. this will be my third time on the diet starting tomorrow i have had good results in the past the diet does work but down to my own fault put the weight bak on. will keep ypu posted. last time in the 1st week lost 11 then second week lost 5 on the ss. good luck everyone x x x
posted Aug 15th, 2008 5:07 pmSurfhunny
Hi all, I'm on Day 3 now, and so far I'm doing ok. I'm fing the water difficult, the lack of food is ok but I wish I could drink something other than water. Can't wait until I can get some of the water flavourings next week. Really looking forward to my weigh in on Tuesday. I hope everyone else is still going strong. xx
posted Aug 15th, 2008 5:07 pmjackie68
15th aug, hi guys just a quick note its day 18 for me and so far i have lost 16lb i am still on ss but will be goin on ss+ soon cus i go away in 4 wks my councillor wants 2 introduce food 2 c how i go, only another 12lb 2 go and i have lost the 2 stone i wanted 2 lose b4 my holiday, but wen i get bak i will be straight bak on ss as i have still got another 4-5 stone 2 lose, keep up the good work every1 and as for the drinking i no they advise NO alcohol but i surpose it affects ppl's body differently i am staying clear of it (until my hol lol) but will be strict with my self wen i get bak,take care every1 and goodluck xxxxxx
posted Aug 15th, 2008 5:07 pmlubyloo
Hi just wanted to say i drunk vodka and soda and flavoured it with the cambridge powder lots of weekends and have still lost 2 stone in 7 weeks they say dont drink but it never harmed me!!
posted Aug 15th, 2008 5:07 pmGemma
Gemma: Hi to you all, well i have been reading all the comments over the last 3 days and think its great how you all encourage each other. I have 2 stone to lose been on SS for nearly 2 weeks, first week lost 8lbs, hopefully should loose another 4 lbs Monday. I found on day 5 that i really missed eating so i treat myself every night with just 2 spoonfuls of extra low cottage cheese which completely helps me. Also i dont like still water and for some reason i can drink sparking so not been a problem. I also find that sitting down at tea time and having a soup really helps, mushroom is nice. POLLY: Let me know how the weigh in goes after drinking, as i love my drink and cant wait to have a couple of vodka's on a Saturday night. Does anyone else treat themselves to a drink or Two? Also can you use the 1 kcal spray when you are aloud chicken? Well keep up the good work to you all. P.S is Troopesue and Jackie still out their. x
posted Aug 14th, 2008 10:04 amSurfhunny
Hiya everyone, today is my 1st day of ss, and so far it's been ok, I was a bit hungry near lunch time and I'm just starting to feel hungry again now (6pm) I'm struggling with the water, not so much the drinking of it, it's the nipping to the loo all the time. I'm sure this will pass eventually tho (I hope!!!). I'm so happy to finally have started. I'll keep you posted on my progress, first weigh in is next Tuesday. xxxx
posted Aug 14th, 2008 10:04 amsue.g
13th aug. Hi everyone hope yr all losing weight and doing well. i went for my weigh in 2day. lost 6lbs! i couldnt beleive it. I,m so glad, i didnt think i'd lose that much as i've not been really strict with myself. I think it just shows that this diet really does work. If you havnt lost any weight this week dont worry just think of it this way, at least u havnt put any on. hope u all have a wonderfull week speak soon.xxxxx
posted Aug 13th, 2008 10:39 amlorraine
well i have started it went and seen a conceller ,got on ss to day 9/8/08 hope i can stay strong drank my last glass of wine and buger and chips last supper you could say well let u all no wot gos on keep up the hard work
posted Aug 13th, 2008 10:39 amcheeky
hi guys hope your all having a good week and keeping up the hard work! i was weighed on sat and stayed the same i was so so down in the dumps as i had done everything that i should do and i hadnt cheated!! so my counsellor is keeping me on the 1000kals again this week and see how i do on sat fingers crossed speak soon xx
posted Aug 12th, 2008 9:20 ampolly
hi every 1 just came across this site! this is ma 2nd week on ss last week lost 14lb couldnt believe it this week havent stuck to it as well as i would of liked had a few nites out n couldnt reist a few vodkas but il keep yous all posted xx
posted Aug 12th, 2008 9:20 amjackie68
11th aug hi evryone it was week 2 weigh in 2day and oh the joy i have lost 4lb got scared 4 a moment didnt think i lost any as i stuck the same 4 a couple of days thats 12lb in 2 weeks i am so pleased :) i had my first bar 2day peanut crunch it was ok and felt like i was cheating with it having chocolate on lol but only had half of it at dinner cus started 2 feel a bit sick i put it down to not used to eating, had the other half an hour ago which was nice cus i miss my night time snacks, well keep up the fight guys its so worth it wen u try on old clothes like i did at the weekend and they fit me again :) hopefully they will be 2 big soon, so goodluck every1 xxx
posted Aug 11th, 2008 4:40 pmSurfhunny
Hiya everyone, tomorrow is the big day, i finally go and see my counsellor for the first time. wish me luck. I'm totally focussed and I know all the ins and outs of doing this diet.I'm totally convinced I can make it work for me and shift this 4st in time for Christmas. My first Thin Christmas in a long time. well done to everyone who's going through the same thing, Can't wait to finally get started and reclaim my life. I don't need luck just the guts to make it through the first week from there on in I'll be ok.
posted Aug 11th, 2008 4:40 pm