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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
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Cambridge Diet?
User Feedback
(Page 33 of 59, 1175 total comments)Surfhunny
Hiya guys, I have one more quick question before I make the phonecall to the counsellor:- How long from getting in touch with the counsellor does it usually take for them to let you start with the diet. I'm raring to go and don't want to hang around. My friend (the one who's doing Lighter Life) had to wait a couple of weeks before she could start.
posted Jul 17th, 2008 10:45 pmsuz
Hi KELLY:0 im so excited it unreal... my friend had a gastric by-pass august last year and has lost massive amounts of weight, so we are now in competion together...a healthy kind of course, which is good, as i can only have this soup n shakes, she is also restricted on wot she can eat, so we will lean on each ova i hope..... i am hoping by december to have lost about 5 stone and that will bring me down to a normal-ish weight..... every year i say, by my birthday im gonna be slim, but with god n will power on my side and my baby girl to look at every day im hoping next birthday in april will b the one. Im just dreading the first 3 days as ive heard they are the worst, so im gona get out of the house n leave my money at home and just go for it! So good luck everyone and please post ur weight losses as it inspiration for me and im sure many ovas to continue - spk soon!
posted Jul 17th, 2008 3:50 pmsuz
Hi everyone, im well excited my dr signed my form n im collecting my goods this eve, so tomorrow n a few weeks to follow are gonna be very testing - so fingers crossed wish me luck...... good luck guys!
posted Jul 17th, 2008 8:14 amKelly
SUZ - Congratulations im pleased you have started your journey in a few weeks you will feel so much better. How much do you want to lose suz? SAM - It does get better believe me and when you have your weigh in all the agonising will be worth it. well done carrie hope the 8lb comes off soon how much have you lost?
posted Jul 17th, 2008 8:14 amhelen
I started this on Monday 14th July, i got tonsilitis the same day but i've stuck to it even though you are suppose to eat & drink when your ill. Its wed night now, i feel hungry but i've been good even though all i can think about is kebabs!!! Weigh in on sunday night i pray i've lost some weight
posted Jul 17th, 2008 8:14 amsam
hiya i started cd on tuesday & im staving !! ive got a really bad head & i feel sick im hopein this feelin ends soon !!
posted Jul 16th, 2008 2:24 pmcarrie
8llbs to go to target weight guys, seriously this is sooooo hard it is just not shifting! xxx
posted Jul 16th, 2008 2:24 pmJackie
(16/07/2008 - 11:30am) Hi All! SUZ - I am SO happy you managed to get sorted! It would have been terrible if you had been unable to start after all of your research! Hope it goes as well for you as you hope! Im sure it will! SURFHUNNY - f you put your powder packs in your suitcase, I shouldn'tthink that you would have a problem going through customs. Hope everyone is having a good week! x
posted Jul 16th, 2008 2:24 pmSurfhunny
Hi guys, all your comments have really helped me make up my mind about starting this diet. My friend has just lost 6stone on Lighter Life, but it's so expensive, and the nearest counsellor is 50 miles away so Cambridge seems like the better option for me all round. The only question I have is has anyone taken the shake sachets on holiday abroad with them? If I start as soon as possible I'll need to take them away with me, which is not a problem, I just wondered where I'd stand with getting them through customs etc. You're all inspirational Thank you.
posted Jul 15th, 2008 10:09 pmsuz
Hi everyone, ive been to see my consultant and it sounds too good to be true....just waiting for forms to be signed and then thats it im starting and im justso excited i dont really wanna have to wait, but hey wots another couple of days. So fingers crossed i will b back saying how much ive lost and how many inches - so good luck everyone spk soon x
posted Jul 15th, 2008 10:09 pmsuz
Hi everyone, thanks again for all the comments. I am going this evening to see my consultant in west london, but i think i will need the form signed, which unfortunatley is going to delay me starting the cd, as its terrible trying to get an appointment in my gp's! But i cant wait to start and start seeing the weight dropping off - please god lol! I am hoping that by early next week i will have started and i will keep you all updated.... im pleased for everyone as it seems to be a brilliant diet and this chat page is very helpful, because you are dealing with real people that are experiencing and maybe suffering the way you are... the only one thing im slightly scared off is menstral cycle!!!!!!! i could eat and eat and eat before that and im just worried that im not going to be able to ride through the hunger and pure mood swings without eating crap - but we will see lol - spk soon x
posted Jul 15th, 2008 9:28 amKelly
Hi everyone, I have had the most terrible week! a whole week of eating... i really have no idea what happened to me... i felt like i had lost the will and could have killed so i caved in and ate!... back on track now though... thats the first time in 12 weeks i have been driven crazy!!... SUZ - you have to mix the shakes and soup yourself i feel that the cambridge is worth it...believe me it will challenge and test you but it will be worth it... ive lost 3 stone and feel so much better. My Dr had to sign a form for me because i had about 6 stone to lose and my BMI was high... so it depends on what your BMI is. Good luck with it.. i have not experienced any hair loss!!!! EMMA - i'm pleased to hear that you will finally have the support you need. Good luck and i hope it works out for you... i will be back to let you all know how i have managed this week and if i have fallen off the band waggon! Fingers crossed eh!
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmlyn
Hi im in my fourth week and have found that i am starving again, im wondering if its the bars making me hungry? All ive had when i have ate is meat so hopefully that will be ok. Has anyone else found that the bars make you want to eat or is it just me?
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmJackie
(14/7/2008 - 20:25) - SUZ you worry too much! Hehe. I have never lost any hair, and to be honest not many people I know have lost hair. So it isnt definitely going to happen. And as I said, you can have food with the cambridge diet, so speak with a counsellor. Some packs you mix up with water, some come ready made and then bars too. Lots of Variety! EMMA - I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! Really pleased you got a new counsellor. Thats great news. Jackie x
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmsal
Hi all. I am new to this and i've just been reading all the comments. I did the lighter life diet for about 4 months. I lost nearly 4 stone which was great and I felt really good. However I came off it and just went back to my old eating habits and I have put all the weight back on and more!! I didn't really find the counselling that helpful either. I have looked into the cambridge diet and it looks exactly the same as lighterlife. So myself and my husband are going to do the CD. For the 2 of us to do it is only a little bit more expensive than it was for just me to do the LL! Also with my husband doing it with me it should hopefully be alot easier. My husband is startint tomorrow but i'm going to start in 2 weeks as we are going away next week and I want to enjoy myself. I just hope this time I can keep the weight off as I am really disappointed in myself for putting it all back on. Well done all you people who have lost...
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmjane
Hi suz - just thought id tell you my personal experience with cd. I have lost 39lbs in 9 weeks and I have been having 2 shakes a day (the tetra brik ones - you dont have to mix them) and then fish/chicken with veg or salad on the evening. This suits me as I do eat out quite a lot, and I can incorporate the diet into my lifestyle without having to turn down invitations. I too have many more stones to loose, but feel with a meal to look forward to at night, I will make it!. Good luck and hope i've helped.
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmJoanne
reading all these comments has really spurred me on. I have 8 stone to lose and am starting diet this friday. My first app is on the Thursday. Can too much water be bad for you and can you take headache tablets on it? Jo x
posted Jul 14th, 2008 11:09 pmlubyloo
Just had my weigh in and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.Lost another 3lbs thats 20.5lbs in 5 weeks!!!!! on my last week of sole source then onto the next 3 weeks of introducing food.Does any1 know how to use a knife and fork ha ha.Just anothe r half a stont to go and im done its just keeping the fat off then!!!!!
posted Jul 14th, 2008 9:49 amsuz
Hi Jackie... i have jus been to see a lighter life consultant and too be honest, she didnt really sell it to me, although she did say she didnt need to the weight loss in itself sells, but if thats the case and its all about the weight loss then id rather cost the cost by half and go on the cambridge diet and if necessary pay �15 to spk to a real therapist. I think i will try the cambridge diet....How soon can you start the diet and also i am concerned that with lighter life it is a total food replacement system, is that the case with cambridge? Thanks guys for taking the time out to give me ur experiences and views - it really helps - oh and do u need ur dr to complete forms for the cambridge? good luck peeps, n hopefully very soon i will be joining you! Suz x
posted Jul 14th, 2008 9:49 amsuz
Hi again, just been thinking....do u have to mix the soups and shakes or are they already mixed? and ive been reading through all these messages and have read umpteen time people loosing hair - aaaagggghhhhh im scared lol......
posted Jul 14th, 2008 9:49 am