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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 44 of 59, 1175 total comments)fan
hi its me again can you chumble on celery?
posted Jun 4th, 2008 8:09 amEmma
Thanks Jackie, Will find some at lunch time and get a can - i think it will feel like a real treat today with how i am feeling!! I had a small amount of salad with 2 chicken drumstick legs last night - and i lost 2 pounds when i weighed this morning so am well impressed! It is suiting me more at the moment with increasing my exercise also to have two shakes and then a light meal for dinner xxxx
posted Jun 4th, 2008 8:09 amJackie
Hi All - Still doing well, although today my mouth is SO dry! Im drinking loads, but still doesnt seem enough. CHUBBY DIMPS - It depends what you weigh as to how quickly you could lose 1st7lbs. THe bigger you are, the quicker you lose it! It shouldnt take you more than a month. Hope that helps. NICK, what did you to to keep the weight off? I lost 7st 2 years ago, but it went all back on. Some advice from someone who has kept it off would be great! Thanks. Good Luck everyone!
posted Jun 4th, 2008 8:09 amFAN
oh yes first week lost 11 pound carnt believe it . its put me right back on track,need to lose about 2 stone for my holidays in 6 weeks. its getting easier.can you have pickled cabbage out of your green box?
posted Jun 4th, 2008 8:09 amchubby_dimps
Just had my first shake, strawberry, tasted a bit powdery!! but i really enjoyed it and actually felt full afterwards! maybe that is cos it was my first one? will keep you all posted!!x
posted Jun 4th, 2008 8:09 amnick
I done the cambridge diet last year from jan-July and lost 6 stone best thing I ever done I am now a cambridge counsellor and the advice i give you all is stick with it the 1st couple of weeks seems like hell but after that i never felt better and the weight loss should keep you going . good luck to you all.
posted Jun 3rd, 2008 10:28 pmchubby_dimps
Hi, I'm starting the diet tomo! Have a stone and half to lose but need a solid plan to stick too, or when on a diet i somehow end up putting on more weight?!!! Will update you in next few days to let you know how it is going. How quickly do you think i'll lose the stone and a half? xx
posted Jun 3rd, 2008 10:28 pmJackie
Hi EMMA - I have been told by my councellor that it is ONLY Zero, and NOT Max that is allowed. Something to do with its contents. I dont think Diet Coke will do you much harm, but it may be a slight hinderance. I LOVE Max, but was told to steer clear, and only have Coke Zero, and even that is only 3 cans per week to start with (Although I have it every other day!) Hope that helps.
posted Jun 3rd, 2008 10:28 pmEmma
Can Dawn or Jackie let me know why its Pepsi Max or Zero and not Diet Coke? I have been having diet coke and now feel really bad!! I am sooooo hungry today though - think its because i am due on my monthlys on Thursday !!! xxxxxx
posted Jun 3rd, 2008 1:01 pmpamela
hi there been reading all the comments well done to all i have been on th diet for 3 1/2 weeks i have lost 21lbs so far got another 5 weeks 2 go hope to loss another 14lbs to get back to my ideal weight its been easy this time just need to stop eatung rubbish when i go back to normal good luck to all
posted Jun 3rd, 2008 9:05 amSam
Hey all....first weigh in today and 10 pounds off...very excited by this ;-) Dizzy...I do spinning about 3 times a week and boxcercise now and again...its tough going and probably worth having a shake before...I excercised on empty on Sunday morning and it near killed me...tonight I hav excercised and had a shake about 1 1/2 hours before and it was much better. I go to my councillor and get weighed and measure myself at home. Good luck x I'm only a week in and loving the results x x x
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 3:02 pmJackie
(2/6/2008 - 16:05)Hi DIZZYDIZZYDEEDEE - Its great that you came across the diet, as it is made for people just like us! In answer to your questions, everyone is different! My counsellor does weight me, but he hasnt measured me. Also, he doesnt come to me, I go to him - however he is by far the cheapest one around! (Possibly the cheapest in the country) and he is FANTASTIC. So your counsellor will be able to give you an idea of how things work. With regards exercise, I understand this is something that should be done slowly over time (please feel free to correct me anyone!) I think you need to give your body time to get used to the low calories, before you start pushing it! Just to give you an idea of how you might do, if you start tomorrow, and stick to it! This time next week you could be 7lbs - or more - lighter! Make sure you drink plenty of water, and try to avoid temptation! Hope that helps! EMMA no worries - glad to hear you're getting yourself back on track. And finally (sorry for goin on) FAN it DOES get better - the longer you go on, the easier it is. Keep focused, and dont give yourself such a hard time. Keep going everyone - and keep adding comments, because it helps everyone!
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 2:56 pmDizzydizzydeedee
Hi everyone Getting depressed over trying to find a dress for an upcoming wedding led me to search for information on losing weight. I came across an article about a girl who did the cambridge diet, and i had never heard of it before so I have been looking into it. I have made an appointment to see the local councillor tonight as I really want to do this. Just a few things thought. Does the councillor come and weigh you and do measurements or is it something you are doing yourselves? Also, are any of you doing exercise as well, if so what? I am 5'0'', and weigh 16stone! But im not making excuses as to why I am so big, i just love food and got set in my ways But i want to slim down more so for my own wedding next year! Any advice? Many Thanks
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amEmma
Hi everyone, thanks so much for everyone's messages about my relapse!! I felt awful, but am now slowly getting over my failure for a few days and am back on track (i think!) You are all doing so well and i am so proud of all of you! We need to be slimmer for the summer and it will make us feel so good in all those skinny clothes!! I really enjoy reading everbody's comments on this site, it really does give you motivation and determination. xxxxxxx
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amJackie
Well today was weigh day, and I've now lost 15lbs in 12 days. Im over the moon! However I SOOOOO want to eat right now, which is ridiculous! I know I can do this, but I just want something tasty to chew on! Maybe im just hungry. Im sure others feel this way. What do you do? Eat? Hold strong? Tips would be great! I am annoyed with myself for being this way so early on, but I just feel like I need salad! Or an egg! Silly really. Im not bothered about chocolate or burgers - right now I just want a salad!
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amlene
hi guys.my wedding is on 5th sept.i need to loose 2 as my gorgeous dress is bursting!my motivation is the size of a nat.i have never done this longer than 2 weeks.i always get ratty and rough,dizzy ect....feel sorry for myself...then i eat!its awfull!i must start it again! starting tomorro!
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amfan
hi joined the cb on tuesday 27 may wasnt to bad until sunday day 5 and i have picked now i feel like i have failed,does it get better.
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amSam
Hello all. I am on day 6 of the diet today. I get weighted tomorrow and I am excited about the results. I am on SS and I have struggled a bit with excercise, feeling very tired after. I think I might have to have a bar or something before?? I didn't really have any side effects although I did dream of chocolate last night!! But wierdly I haven't really craved it...which is good. Seems like most people are doing really well on the diet and I hope to do the same.
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amJackie
Hi All - GAYA1610 - Did I read that right? 2 stone 2 in 8 days?! Thats AMAZING (Although if you say you now have 9 to lose, im guessing you meant 1st2) But that is still FANTASTIC! Well Done! SCW - That "Time of the Month" can play havoc with weight loss/gain. You have to remember that healthy weightloss is not just a weekly thing, its over a much longer period than that. Dont see your loss weekly, look at it monthly and work out your average. That should make you feel better! I myself am on day 11 today, im not sure how much i've lost up to now. By day 8 id lost 11lbs. I think it should be over a stone by now! I feel fantastic, although I did struggle on days 5&6! This is expected at some point in the beginning. Well done everyone who is doing so well, and to those loosing the will to live - keep at it! You will do it!
posted Jun 1st, 2008 10:32 amGaya1610
Hey There. I am now on day 8 and I have lost 2 stone and 2pounds. I have struggled for the first few daysbut the key is to not give in to the hunger pangs and eat. I am going to start to have one meal a week though of chicken breast and dry salad just to keep myself in contact with food, I have a wedding in 12 weeks and want to be able to eat my meal then. I have about 10 stone to lose in total so I can now officially make that nine....and counting!! Feeking great though.
posted May 31st, 2008 8:36 pm