What 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
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Maltodextrin
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Guar Gum
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Refined Fractionated Palm Oil
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Acesulfame K
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Sucralose
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Carrageenan
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Flavourings
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Dried Glucose Syrup
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Silicon Dioxide
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Oligofructose
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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.
User Feedback
(Page 42 of 59, 1175 total comments)GrumpyGirly!!
Hi I have been on cambridge for four days now. I only have a small amount of wieght to lose, I was wondering if it is normal to feel this ill? I have felt awful? I told my councellor but she is sooooo un helpfull and un supportive!! I don't really like her!! I weigh 10st but want to be 9 as that is wear I feel healthiest. Is it because I only have a small amount to lose? In the evening after work, I just feel really grumpy and the only thing that makes me feel better is food!! I sort of feel a bit sweaty and faint too, my body is calling out for food but its unbarable! Other than that the shakes are nice, didn't like the soups! I've lost 5llbs, so i'm down to 9'11 in the morning, but I have cheated a bit cos I have felt so terrible!! Last night I had two boiled eggs and some grated cheese, then followed by some heroes chocolate!! and a glass of wine!! I'm sticking to it perfectly today, but is it that bad to have the odd bit of food? As long as its protien? and seriously should I feel so terrible in the evenings? Your answers would be greatly appreciated!! As i'm starting to wonder what the point is! My councellor is rubbish and it is quite expensive! But should I feel so ill in the evenings? and is there nothing I can do to feel better? xxxxxx
posted Jun 12th, 2008 9:25 amDONNA
12/6/08 Hi everyone. Feeling really disheartened today. On day 6 of the CD Sole Source, weighed myself today as I just couldn't resist and all I have lost is 5lb :-( I thought i would have lost more than that. My other half has lost more than me, yet he has 4 meals and i only have 3, and i have been exercising and he has done absolutely nothing. I will be weighed by my cambridge counsellor on sat, but i am just thinking, have i starved myself for nothing?
posted Jun 12th, 2008 9:25 amkate
Hiya - reference the diet coke - I was told that it is citric acid that you have to avoid and that is in most diet drinks except coke zero - so that is allowed but only about 3 a week (don't know why its limited?) Well day 2 is nearly over and I'm feeling fine - weird really cos I've bearly thought about food - didn't help though that my mum turned up with a plpated dinner for me at lunchtime cos she knew my fridge was empty - turned her away - gutted cos it was cheese and onion quiche salad and I know it would have been divine!!!!
posted Jun 11th, 2008 7:04 pmJackie
CHUBBY DIMPS - I have been told from Cambridge Councellors that COKE ZERO is the only drink allowed other than water. (I saw allowed - what I mean is advised!) I was told no more than 3 cans per week, though I must admit I sometimes have 1 every other day. Never more than 1 per day though. On another note, I wanted to ask about the bars. I tried the peanut as I mentioned, but wasnt overly impressed, the Toffee on the other hand was LUSH! It tasted like a less chewy curlywhirly, I also have a cranberry that im not over the moon with! I want to know about the other bars! Orange, Caramel etc! Can anyone give me some ideas?! Cheers guys, you're great!
posted Jun 11th, 2008 7:04 pmBrandi Koskie - Senior Editor, DietsInReview.com
Hello Cambridge Dieters! You are a dedicated bunch and your loyal attention to this page has not gone unnoticed. As Jackie mentioned, we're in the middle of a major redesign. While still a ways out from completion- the finished product is something we're certain everyone will be happier with. Thank you for your consistent patronage to this site, and your patience as we work to make it even better. - Brandi
posted Jun 11th, 2008 10:22 amchubby_dimps
p.s. drinking water is def the secret!!xx
posted Jun 11th, 2008 10:14 amchubby_dimps
hey everyone, day three is soooooooo much better than last week. Feel less hungry and generally ill! Best thing if anyone does feel ill is to drink a small glass of milk, this has really helped me so much and not affected my wieght loss, my councll said this is fine. I find it really good because its not actual food either, and if I start chewing I don't think i'll want to stop!! ha ha!! I will eat the whole fridge!! Feel actually really good!! have lost 5llbs in 3 days! am just concentrating on getting through this week, thinking to myself that sole source isn't forever! its just going to get me where i need to be, and i will take it as it comes after that. I am so pleased this week feels so much better! So everyone, it does get better!! So keep going!! Also, anyone else noticed their sense of smell has improved? Someone in my flats had toast last night and I thought it had been cooked in my flat I could smell it so bad!! lol Also what is the deal with diet coke? my coucellor said it is ok to have one every so often but not all the time, i have read other things online where it says you should not have it at all? anyone have the answer? does this apply to suger free squash? xxxxx
posted Jun 11th, 2008 10:14 amJackie
(11/6/2008 - 11:55am) Hi everyone. Where to start! Such fab lisitings. DIMPS - Good for you for being so focused now! We all know you can do it, and its good to know you aren't giving up! DONNA its great to hear what an effect this diet is having on your life! I wouldnt say I suffer from depression usually, but I do know that this diet does make me feel so much better about myself, so I can sort of imagine how you feel! Keep it up! JANE - you seem to have such drive! Thats wonderful! 25lbs is great, I hope you enjoyed your holiday! LEANNE - I am on SOLE SOURCE and im 22. So I know how you feel being the odd one out amongst your friends! I dont have a single overweight friend! They're all beautiful and thin! GRRR!! Haha. You can do it, although if you are deciding to drink at any time, you should speak with your councellor, there can be issues with adding alcohol to any low calorie diet. KATE - Well done for your enthusiasm! I can tell from your listing that you are going to go far! And forget about that 11lbs! It will be gone very soon! Finally - sorry to go on - I just wanted to let EVERYBODY know about an email that myself anf TROOPERSUE received from the Moderators of this site. They saw our listings regarding making this more accessible, and easier to use - plus quicker listings, and they are working on it! They are currently in the process or redesigning parts of the site, so stick with it, and hopefully things will only get better - I'd like to thank Diets in Review on all dieters behalf for letting us know! Anyway! I'm going to sign off! Have a FAB day everyone! x
posted Jun 11th, 2008 10:14 amkate
Hi - I'm on day one of ss today. Came back from hols today and had visited my councellor in advance and have no food other than cd in the house so that should help. I know I've not done myself any favours having been bad for a week on hols and coming straight back to this diet but I am so determined that I AM NOT GOING TO FAIL. Weighed in this morning as my councellor said I'd need to and have put on 11lb in a week - and I thought I'd not been that bad!!!! I now have a mountain of ironing to keep me busy - day 1's been ok - lets hope I think the same tomorrow.!!
posted Jun 10th, 2008 5:04 pmleanne
hi-i am now on day 6 on sole source and its hard but kinda starting to notice it already!lost 7 pounds so far but have a wedding soon and am worried about that lol!and well done JANE that is a brill loss and it does make you feel much better!but enjoy the holidays..are many of u doing SOLE SOURCE???if so keep me posted.how do u keep to it?im only 19 and i adore a drink at a club and now im limmiting myself to once 6 every weeks which i really miss but everyone seems to be doing so well and before i found this site i had no one that understood sooo the comments really help..THANX
posted Jun 10th, 2008 1:01 pmjane
Hi - have been on this diet for a total of five weeks, but had a aholiday is spain for one of those weeks. Although i have a lot of weight to loose, I cant tell you how good it felt going on holiday having lost 25lbs. Within 2 hours of being home, i was back at my councillors, and ready to start again!! (am going away on holiday again in 7 weeks - so really have an incentive to keep going). Reading everyones comments and hints, downfalls etc really give me someting to think about, and help me stay on track, so keep your comments coming - we really all do benefit from them.
posted Jun 10th, 2008 9:48 amJackie
(10/6/2008 - 13:30) Hey Guys! Sounds like people are getting on well! TROOPERSUE - You are doing fab! Isnt it great when a 3lb weightloss is a low one! My advice would be to not weigh yourself at home! I know its tempting, but it can affect your body physically and mentally if you're getting mixed readings! Just wait to see your councellor, and weigh yourself then! That message was to EVERYONE! KAREN thats amazing! Well done! DIMPS - I am SURE you will have lost weight despite having a slice of bread! You wont get away with it normally, but this early on in the diet I think you will be okay! Maybe 2lbs difference to if you hadnt had the bread. The pangs and ill feelings dont last, soon you will feel fab, full, and not even realise you NEED to eat! Sometimes its 11pm before I realise I've only had 2 packs! I dont get weighed till next week now, but will keep an eye out incase anyone has any more questions! SITE MODERATORS - I agree with TROOPERSUE, lets make this page better! So many people find it helpful there must be a way of making it more convenient! Also, if listings could go on a bit quicker, that would be good too! Jackie
posted Jun 10th, 2008 8:58 amDonna
(10/6/08) Hiya everyone. Wow. I am on my 4th day of the sole source. First 3 days - agony! Making the kids tea and wanting to lick my fingers was like torture, but i got through it. And today i am feeling absolutely fantastic!! I have bought one of those ab lounge xl off ebay for 30 quid! they sell um for 100 on best direct tv, so grabbed a bargain. And i managed to do 100 sit ups on it with arm exercises too. I am sleeping so much better at night, and I havent felt this good for years. I suffer bad depression a lot of the time, but this diet has made me feel alive again. And when i weigh in on sat, i know i am going to be motivated to continue. Dont get me wrong, ive had the headaches and stuff but i do feel so much better.
posted Jun 10th, 2008 8:58 amchubby_dimps
TROOPERSUE: I know I am terrible!! The worst thing is my councellor told me it takes three days to come out of your system! Yesterday felt so much better! I feel so much more prepared this week, to be honest last week couldn't have gone more wrong!! But I am ready to get this diet going properly now! Feeling Ill has not affected me at all over the past two days. Lost 2llbs, which isn't great! But the next week will be better I am sure of it! Just wanted to say, all of your comments keep me going and my spirits lifted! It's so reassuring to know there are others in the same boat! Will let you know in a few days how this week is progressing! Want to lose at least 6llbs this weeks! going to give it my all!xxxxx
posted Jun 10th, 2008 8:58 amTroopersue
10/06/2008 - 12.55am. Wellllllll.... had my weigh-in tonight and lo and behold ive lost 3lb this week :>). Cant believe it, And there was me thinking id only lost 1lb. woohoo!!!... CHUBBY_DIMPS- Big smack on the wrist for you, yous soooo nawty eating that bread ..lol.How did the weigh-in go ? bet you lost some didnt you ? The "ill feeling" WILL pass dimps, ill guarantee it. Think of it this way - you say you were feeling down real grumpy yes ? well, imagine you werent on the diet and still eating normally over the next 6-12months. How grumpy would you be then ehhh ?Every little bit you lose is a step closer to your goal. No matter how small it is its still a step in the right direction. Youre doing something positive :>) so grin and bear the first couple of weeks and youll be so glad you did. REBECCA - I do believe CD & LL are made by the same company so if your friend has managed to lose 4st on LL it gives a good indication of just how much its possible to lose on these VLCD's. My counsellor lost 12st on CD and hasnt put it back on. Her photo's are amazing. I would speak with your counsellor if you are considering doing the gym again though. Could make you feel a bit dodgy doing that kind of exercise with so few calories. LUBYLU - Congratulations on making the positive decision to join us in out fight against the flab. We're here for you Luby and we're just a keystroke away. So lots of luck and keep us updated with your progress :>) SITE MODERATORS - is there any chance of a page 2 please ?. It takes almost as long to scroll through to the end of these msgs as it does to write one :>).And with each new msg it get loooooonggerrrrrrr. So howz about it ? Pleeeeeease. (am on my knees now ya know). Right thats my ramblings over for now. Catch ya all again real soon, xx
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:24 pmkaren
I lost 19 pound in my first week and am now 35 pound lighter, a great diiet if you have the willpower!!
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:24 pmLubylu
Hi everyone, your stories are all fantastic!! I have tried every diet under the sun but as most of you will probably know, food can be an addiction too and I binge eat terribly!! I would really like to give it a go but am worried about the monotany of it and the cost!! Have tried SlimFast but couldn't stomach the shakes!! Need to lose 5stone in total but would love to lose 2stone before I go away in 9.5 wks. There are more positive than negative comments so it can't be that bad surely?? Have just left a message for a counsellor to ring me so might try it for a week and see how I go....watch this space!! x
posted Jun 9th, 2008 2:34 pmchubby_dimps
Ive been feeling really ill on this diet too, will this go away? especially in the evening!! xx
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:48 amRebecca
Hi there all all, i'm hopefully starting the diet this week but preparing for the diet now. I really need to do it as i really am not happy. After my second child it kinda piled on. I go back to Slimming World but didn't stay to class as the class got bigger everyone is in the same boat i guess. I did loose 2.5 stones before the children on Slimming World and kept it of for a years going to the gym regular and eating a bit of what i liked worked really well for me. I need the push to get me into action plus i want to do things with the kids more and most inportantly be healthy and HAPPY. My friend is doing lighte life she's lost nearly 4 stones. I'm not in a hurry to loose - the longer it takes the longer it takes to get back on. Wish me luck as i wish you all luck and i will be back to let you know. Take care now. n.b its not about the food its the way you think about yourself.
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:48 amTroopersue
(9/6/2008 11.20am). DEBBIE - No sorry cant say ive felt snappy. Quite the reverse really. I always seem to feel a bit "high". lol. I do however seem to get tired a bit more than normal at the moment tho. JACKIE - You are doing sooooo well hun its amazing. DONNA - yup thats normal but it WILL get better as long as you dont give in to the gurgling tum. Stick with it and youll be glad you did. I get weighed this evening, think ive only lost 1lb according to my scales. Ive only got another 4lb to lose and im in my healthy BMI range of 25.Still have pain in leg so will continue further, maybe till 10st-ish. Thats another 1st 4lb that needs to come off. JACKIE - have you tried the Cranberry bars, I find them better tasting than the peanut. I think the peanut ones are a bit on the dry side. Cranberry isnt. Personal taste though. Keep up the good work ev1, will report back again soon :)
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:48 am