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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
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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 39 of 59, 1175 total comments)jane
Hi - am feeling very upset today. Went to see my doctor last night and mentioned to him I am on the cambridge diet, and if I could get any funding from him. (He won't give me anything for my weight loss even though i am ''extremely obese''. His reply was to tell me that no diets work, and the cd is just starving your body (even though I have a meal on the night), and I will put all my weight back on as soon as I come off the diet. He told me to stop eating refined sugars (if I could do that, I wouldn't be fat, even I know that), and to buy a rowing machine, and do 1 hours excercise every morning! Never mind the fact that I have 2 children (3 including my husband!!) to get to school and a job to go to myself. As he has put doubt into my mind that I will keep off my weight - does anybody have any experience of what will happen after you come off cd, but still manage to eat healthily?. Bye for now....
posted Jun 24th, 2008 10:10 amEmma
Hi there everyone, CARRIE: I am still around, definitely! I haven't managed to find another counsellor, everyone is in the same position i think in Lincolnshire with only once a fortnight, so it looks like i will have to stick to this one for the time being; I am definitely thinking of trying the bars as well - mainly coz i think that's what will help me at weekends - have you tried any other flavours, and if so, in your opinion which are the best? TROPPERSUE : hope things are going ok with you, and JACKIE hope you are ok as well...... My next goal is 1 stone and 4 pounds by the 19th or 25th July 2008 - we are having a surprise b/day party for my mum on 19th and on the 25th we are going down to the New Forest in dorset to visit my other half's grandparents and they haven't seen us since March so hopefully it will be a bit of a shock for them and will actually notice i have lost weight!!! I have my next weigh in on Friday and "counselling" session so i will keep in touch and let you know how i did - i am aiming for 7 pounds in two weeks since last time, but we will see - xxxxxxx
posted Jun 24th, 2008 10:10 amTracey
Hi on day 2 of SS feeling ok just done shopping for the family tried to get quick easy things to make to get me through the first week. Not sure whether it was silly or not but got on scales this morning and I've lost 3lbs after 1 day!! Felt good but won't go on again until weekend. Must admit though it did give me a boost!! Again does anyone know whether its a good idea to half the shakes to have 6 drinks a day as my councellor suggested I did it yesterday and it went ok. Everyone seems to be doing really well keep it up!!
posted Jun 24th, 2008 10:10 amJackie
(Tuesday 24/6/2008 - 09:45) Hi All! Sorry I havent been on in a while! TRACEY - Splitting your packs in half is fine! If that works better for you! I personally wouldnt have the time to have 6 shakes! But if that is good for you, then go for it! Make sure you keep up on your water though! Also, you might find it doesnt take a week to get into Ketosis, it took me about 36 hours! Get yourself some Ketosticks! I bet you're already in it now! LUBYLOO! Well Done! 11lbs in 2 weeks! FANTASTIC, just think, this time next week you will be over a stone lighter! LYN - you are doing SO well! I know what you mean about Pasta Bake! I make a fantastic one, and miss it loads! Still cooking for my partner though! CARRIE You are doing so well too! Glad you like the bars! The cranberry bars have the lowest calorific value! I didnt like them much at first, but if you wrap your hand right round the wrapper when you eat it, it helps the chocolate to melt, and it tasts SOOOO good! Yummy! I have a ready made tetra brick in the morning, a bar in the afternoon, then a powder shake in the morning! Anyone who thinks they cannot fit CD into their lives are WRONG! You CAN do it, go for it! Have a great day everyone!
posted Jun 24th, 2008 10:10 amLyn
hi just on the end of day 3 feeling much better more energy and not hungry, have had a bit of appitite as i have too feed everyone else in the house, pasta bake with melted cheese and fresh cherrys afterward, and i had a soup! oh well at least ill be thin.
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:04 pmlubyloo
Just had weigh in for week 2 lost 3lb dont feel to dissopointed as thats 11lbs in 2 weeks feel much better now no more tierdness or furry toungh thank god.Now on bars and they are lovely nice to chew something lets all keep going!!!!
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 4:55 pmNorwaygirl
What an amazing site! Today is day 6 for me on the CD as sole nutition. How long can you have CD as sole nutrion? I need to loose about 20 kilo. I don't know how much I have lost this week. Wish me good luck!
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 4:55 pmTracey
Hi All just started ss today been reading this site for a few weeks find it really good. Was wondering my councellor said if I wanted to I could half my shakes and have 6 drinks a day, is this a good idea or not? Just had 2nd half of my 1st packet and we're on 1pm. Feel ok a little dizzy at times but drinking plenty of water, been to gym as well today but I do go 2-3 times a week normally just did gentle exercise today. Just looking forward to getting past the first week so I'm in ketosis. Speak again soon.
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amcheeky
23/6/08 hi guys how r you all doing, eveyone had a good weekend? I was weighed on sat and only lost 3llbs so my counsellor has told me to have my 3 shakes a day and a bar at night to see how that will do and get weighed again on thursday. i was looking forward to having my add a meal again! Does any one else get disapointed when they don't lose much felt really down in the dumps on sat, at least i lost weight and didnt put any on, got to get it out of my head that you dont lose loads every week !
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amcarrie
hi guys, tried the dark chocolate bar over the weekend, it tasted like a bar of soap with a funny orangey twang!! ha ha!! was nice to chew something though and it is really filling!! Really recomend them, cos I find it really hard in the evening and at the weekend, and i know some of you guys do too, well these are good when your craving something naughty!! def reccomend them, they are a relief after the shakes all the time!! They take a while to chew too so they last a long time. Also got the little cartons for lunch time, as I don't have a blender at work I have this shaker thing my old councellor gave me which is rubbish! makes the shakes small and lumpy!!. Omg!! they are amazing!! they are so nice!! going to get some more off my councellor and a couple of bars!! feel like the diet is really starting to work for me!! Will update you within next few days on weight loss! xx
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amsuzanne
i have just started cd today and feeling really excited im 12 stone and 10 pound and hope to get down to 10 stone 7 i have had really bad wind has any body else had this
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amcambridge user
im on day 3 of the diet and day 3 is the hardest im doing fina and have awitvhed off mentaly over food, and i feel lighter bt will gt ma self weighed ina couple of days yayyyyy !
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amcarrie
hi guys and gals, just thought i'd drop a little note in to say i met my new councellor today and she is soooo lovely!! I feel more motivated and in the right frame of mind already!! She has even got my email address and is going to email me at work every so often to see how i'm getting on!! great!! :-) EMMA are you still around? Have you changed councellor? MaryMAr go for it!! get on the cambridge!! when you've got something to head to like your wedding its sure to keep you motivated! plus the diet is so easy to stick too!! TROOPERSUE its funny you say that, the other day I had an enormous bite on my neck!!? and foot!? and arm!? I was thinking it was from work some how? but now you mention it??? how strange? FEE well done on your first day, glad its going well so far, after the first three days it get s soooooo much easier!! its just getting through them that is the real struggle so keep going!! hope you all have a good weekend and stick to it!! xxxxxx
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amlyn
Hi everyone this is my first day and its tough but im going to stick with it. I chew sugar free gum normally and never have trouble with it making me hungry quite the opposite in fact!
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amTroopersue
20/06/08.... Ive just noticed something pretty weird and painful too. Being fair skinned ive always been prone to insect bites but now...WOW !!. Yesterday morning I was fine. But this morning im sitiing here with Gnat bites galore on my legs. 2 are bleeding on top of my foot. Another 4 itch like crazy on my shin. 5 are driving me nuts, burning and itching around my knee (these 5 have also caused swelling) and have 3 quite big ones on my thigh. Thats just my right leg. Which is far worse than the other one. Ive also got them under my jawline of all places. About 4 of them there. Will need to get some piriton or such like but has anyone else noticed anything similar happening ?. The vitamin K stopped the unexplained bruising ~ now im wondering about this !!!. Hellppppp!!!
posted Jun 21st, 2008 7:58 amMarymar
I have heard of several friends, this diet really works!! I'm planning to do this, as I'm going to get married in October 2008, and I want to be and look great !!
posted Jun 21st, 2008 7:55 amfee
well Ive just finished my first day and it was easy had 3 shakes need to lose weight for 3 weddings the first one is in 3 weeks and Im hoping to lose a stone need to lose 2 1/2 stone all together hoping to reach my target by the end of September,
posted Jun 19th, 2008 10:29 pmgrumbletumble
LUBYLOO- i feel extremly weak and tired most of the day too but it's worse in the evening.i spoke to my councellor and she said i should feel much better by week 2, crossed fingers for both of us that will happen! FRAGGLE79UK- fank you ^_^ nearly fallen off the wagon a few time but i keep on reminding myself how much i've gone through the past week...so keep going yay! How did you do at weigh in? Just did 10 minutes on my walker/strider thingy...phew im knackered! how pathetic! nemind take care everyone x
posted Jun 19th, 2008 4:34 pmAnj
Hi everyone, well done to eveyone who are doing this. its a week on friday 4 me, work 12hrs and working friday, so i went on the scales today. i have lost 10lb, its not easy but there is nothing stopping me now, not even food. If any tips, pls let me know. Anj.
posted Jun 19th, 2008 4:34 pmcarrie
LUBYLOO I felt like this really badly my first week on the diet. It will go I promise, you just have to drink some more water and take it easy and try and keep your mind off it!! I'm sure it will go after a few more days on the diet, I don't get it anymore so you just have to venture through it. The other thing you could do is start your shakes at lunch time, so drink loads of water all morning have your first shake at lunch, then one when you get in from work then another a few hours later. A few people I know prefer doing it this way cos of feeling ill!! well done on your weight loss!! fab! x
posted Jun 19th, 2008 4:34 pm