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 45 of 59, 1175 total comments)scw
Hi Dawn, WELL DONE, that is great you must feel so good. I have been doing diet for apx 14 weeks and have lost 30lb and 18". was disappointed this week as I was so good and stepped up the exercise and only lost 1lb, but am on the week before my monthlys which always seems to effect me so hopefully it will correct itself next week. Does anybody else have the problem with their monthly's effecting their weight loss??
posted May 31st, 2008 4:50 pmdawn
hi everyone ive lost 53lb in 14 weeks.ive only got11lb to get to target and am onstep 3(1000kcal)its been a doddle. i made sure that when i started i had no social engagements to go to which i know i would fell off the wagon so to speak so ihad a clear run at sole source im now out every other wkend but being really good and still losing weight. my treat was 2 cans of pepsi max every other day and that was it were a long time fat so if you can take time out for a few weeks to get started and focused it will be worth it.youll feel fab going out slimmer rather than going out in clothes you feel uncomfortable in and drinking n eatin loads because for most of us on here isuspect eat a load more cos we think oh well ive blown it so ill start again monday then feel guilty about .its a vicious circle. im 5'8 was 16st 4lb size 20/22 and now 12st 7lb size 14 and FEEL FANTASTIC.
posted May 30th, 2008 3:33 pmJackie
Hi All - Hope you're all doing well. Firstly ASH - OMG! 1 stone 2 in 5 days!!!! WOW! Thats amazing, especially if you are only 14stone to begin with! You should be really proud of yourself. TROOPERSUE - Thanks again for your words of wisdom! Better half a pound off than the 5 or 6 on if you had of eaten! One of my skinny friends eats ALL DAY - now she ticks me off! Hehe. Let me know if you find the odd even dates work. I would be interested to find out if thats how the pattern goes. Good luck again everyone.
posted May 30th, 2008 11:44 amTroopersue
(Friday 30th May) - Snatches gold cup away from Jackie and runs over and gives it to ASH - 1st 2lb in just FIVE days ?????. Brilliant. Before I go I have a question - What was the best thing BEFORE sliced bread ? lol.
posted May 30th, 2008 11:44 amASH
Hi Everybody wish you all good luck and keep your mind strong as this diet is a winner all the way. I have been on it for 5 days now and have lost 1 stone 2 pounds I have done nothing but watch tv and relax while sticking to the diet just cut out the food not needed. I hope I can stick to cutting out food and the diet goes well for the remainder of the journey to become slim i am now weighing 14 stone will like to get to 12 and mantain it. Good Luck dont worry about the cals your missin out on as they are not needed.
posted May 30th, 2008 8:40 amTroopersue
(Thursday 29th May 2008). KELLY - Congratulations for losing almost 3 stone. You've done brilliantly. As for where I bought the Vitamin K, Just key in the words "buy vitamin K" on your browser and it will give you lots of options as to where you can purchase it online. Will show different sites for diff parts of the world. ANON22 - It "may" be that your body isnt getting enough food to actually ingest the pill and therefore causing the bleeding. Could be worth your while having a word with your GP, maybe the depo injection would be better. But do ask him/her and theres nothing to feel nervous about. I can assure you it wont be the first time theyve been asked the same question. TERRY - Well done you - 8lbs in 2 days is some going !!. Keep up the good work and let us know how your weigh-in goes. Keeping my fingers AND toes crossed for you. EMMA - Ohhh please dont feel so down on yourself, we've all been there. What your counsellor said is quite true. You have to just put it behind you and carry on regardless. The wedding in Dorset is in the past now. You enjoyed your "time out" and now its just time to get back to the more serious issues in life, losing weight. Just think of how far youve come so far !!. As for the "junk food addict", arnt we all ?. If all of us on this site only ate healthily, there would be no need for this site would there ? and what a crying shame THAT would be . So come on Emma, chin up and lets keep these people at dietsinreview.com in a job eh ?? LOL. JACKIE - Many thanks for your kind words on here and also on the private message you sent me. It was really kind of you. I think you've won the gold cup this week - ELEVEN POUNDS ?? WOW!!! Its so good I simply had to type that in capitals - lol. I found your odds/evens most interesting and am now gonna take note of mine and see if its true for me. Hope so cuz I only lost half a pound (typed in very small letters) this week. I didnt cheat, its just happens that way. Finally, id just like to add (yes I know I do go on sometimes - lol) that SKINNY PEOPLE REALLY TICK ME OFF !! Especially when they say things like " You know sometimes, I just forget to eat." Now theres been times when ive forgotten to record something off the tv, forgotten my purse, forgotten an address and even my car keys. But forgotten to eat ???? NEVER !!. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat !!!! . Anyway,good luck everyone and see ya all again next time :>) xx
posted May 30th, 2008 8:40 amavcaj
Hi EMMA - Dont worry - You're only Human!!! Like you may have read in my previous message, I lost 7 stone and put it ALL back on! You have realised straight away that you did wrong - it took me AGES - then it seemed too late. It was only a weekend. and you could easily lose it all quickly. Bear in mind that a lot of what you have put on is probably water weight. Get back onto your packs and get drinking your water! I bet you lose what you put on by Sunday. Like you said it is a learning curve! Next time you eat, sitck to Protein and greens. I know its not what you want after all the time off food, but it will be worth it. Small plates, small portions, ease your way back into a healthy all round eating LIFESTYLE. The only way to keep weight jumping back on, is to start as you mean to go on. You can do it, you're fantastic and you will lose that extra stone! You go girl!
posted May 30th, 2008 8:40 amJackie
Well week one - 11lbs!!! Im SO excited. Come on week 2!!!
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amEmma
Hey all, feel really bad - went to a wedding in Dorset at the weekend and i ate all weekend, which ran into Tuesday night. Feel awful with myself and actually like a complete loser / failure. I have got back on it now but its really hard - even more so than the first week because i have eaten the foods that i love and i have put weight back on. If anyone out there can give me some incentive and motiviation tips i would be really grateful........ I have still lose a stone in 3 weeks but i can't believe how eating for a few days makes you feel better whilst doing it, but soooooo worse afterwards. I have today my counsellor who is supportive and has told me to get back on track as i will reap the rewards. Its just hard. Especially when you are such a junk food addict! Anyone else out there had the same problem as me? I am going to put it down to a learning curve and carry on and lose the weight. I only have myself to blame, but i know that i can do this so please wish me luck! xxxxx
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amTerry
Hi Girls & Boys, Just thought I would let you know started SS on Tuesday, have lost 8lb in 2 days, I'm 6ft - 171/2 stone would like to get to 141/2, kep fingers crossed eh! Also if your getting headaches drink more water thats what I have found so far, drinking approx 5lts of bottled water a day, anyways will keep you posted
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amAnon22
Hi, this is slightly embarrassing. I take a mini pill, and therefore havent had a period for almost 2 years - this is normal for the pill im on. However, I am now on day 6, and I have started showing! Can anyone else explain this? would appreciate any advice as I am a little nervous. Thanks
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amJackie
Me again! Sorry! Just read the last few listings (I couldnt get away with reading them at work!) Thought I would mention a few things. First of all, the stuff about Jelly, Chewing gum and vodka - not a good idea. Although you may stay in Ketosis, it could significantly reduce the amount of weight you lose. Yes you might still lose 3-5lbs a week, but that could be more! You can however have Coke Zero. My councellor told me that you shouldnt have more than 3 cans per week to start with, however someone I know who had been doing it since November and lost 7 stone drinks it all day! Diet Coke, Pepsi Max - NO GOOD, only Coke Zero, but it feels like such a treat when you have it! Something I wasnt told when I did this previously, is that your weight loss and inch loss works in different ways. Apparently on your odd weeks, 1, 3, 5, 7 etc, you lose more weight. On your even weeks 2,4,6 (you get the drift!) you lose more inches! So dont feel down if you dont lose much on week 2, try your clothes on! You will feel better instantly! Keep at it! Finally, with regards cost, if you are new to this, or thinking about joining, do your research.There is a list of councellers on the cambridge diet website. Call them, see how you get on and ask what they charge! There are 2 near me, one charges �31 and the other over �50!!!! Guess which I go to! Good Luck and enjoy every stage! Its not just the final result to look forward to, its every lower stone and dress size in between!
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amKelly
Troopersue - I have had tiny bruises on my stomach and legs, i have a 2 year old that can be quite rough so i thought it may have been him, but what you have said makes sense, how did you purchase the tablets online? H & B are a rip off anyway i cant beleive there prices, im on my 9th week now and have 5lb to go until i have lost 3 stone! hurray! i'm going to Jamaica on the 9th June and im not goin to be dieting however when i return i'm going straight back to it as im goin to barcelona in september! Good luck everyone
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amJackie
Oh, the more water you drink the better! Not only does it help you lose more weight, but makes your skin look great! Also, for when its cold, try the CD water flavours with hot water, tastes yummy and warms you up!
posted May 28th, 2008 12:19 pmJackie
Hi All! Ive been on CD SS for 7 days now. Im getting weighed tomorrow, but think I have lost at least 8lbs. I didnt measure myself, so wont know about my inches, but I will be able to tell in my clothes! I've read through this whole page! Took AGES! But i've gotta say - TROOPERSUE you are fantastic! I see you as the agong aunt we can all talk to! I dont mean to put a downer on things, but I lost 7 stone on lighterlife 2 years ago - All Went Back On! However - I can only see this as a learning curve. If you go back to how you were before YOU WILL PUT THE WEIGHT BACK ON!!! When they tell you to ease back in, and eat high protein meals, it isnt just a ploy to make you stick to 2 packs a day. I know I will have a weight problem for the rest of my life- I know that now. But that also means I can better prepare. I think I need to lost 7 stone. Want to be a size 12 so I can finally get married! I will keep you all updated, and love reading the updates. This diet WORKS! Just have to stick to it!
posted May 28th, 2008 12:19 pmTroopersue
(Monday 26th May 2008). KATE - so glad im not alone in the lack of vitamin k. Im still taking the one-a-day supplement and now my body is totally bruise free thank goodness. Have you managed to get any vitamin k tablets Kate ? please do keep me updated wont you?. Has anyone else had this problem with unexplained bruises ? JEANNE - very well done on losing 9lbs on your 1st weigh-in. Thats fantastic. How did the 2nd weigh-in go ? Have you much to lose ? SJ - Youve got 5-6months till brothers wedding in Nov. You will be like a stick insect by then - lol. Yes its a "quick fix" as you say. But - we have to try and not go back to the awful eating habits that made us this size to start with. My passion is bread, used to have it with every meal no matter what it was. Ive now not been able to eat bread for about 10 weeks now, and surprise surprise im still alive - lol. I do miss it badly though I must admit. So when ive lost all the weight I need to (to rid myself of leg pain) im gonna "try" and only have bread at weekends!!. Well, thats the plan anyways :>) Right folks, all this talk of bread has made me hungry, off to play a few games of online bingo now, to take my mind off it. Good luck to everyone with your next weigh-in, mines tomorrow - ill be backkkkk ...........
posted May 26th, 2008 1:03 pmSJ
Hey there. My mum and I are looking at trying the Cambridge Diet as it's my brother's wedding in November. He moved out to New Zealand 5 years ago and I haven't seen him since :( I really want to look as good as I can when I see him for the first time. A friend of my mums told her about the diet and she was featured in the Sun newspaper a few weeks ago. I am currently a size 20/22 and my ideal goal would be to reach a size 12. I would be absolutely made up if I can by November but am not going to get depressed if I don't. I've struggled with my weight for many a year and am at the heaviest i've ever been and have never felt so low. I know there are so many diets and tablets out there that it's so easy to pay through the nose for a 'quick fix' that does nothing at all. I really want to give this a go and see how I get on. I've read through your posts and think you've all done fantastically. I guess my biggest thing is (and I know this sounds corny) but I feel like the real me inside is trapped, I have no confidence to do the things I want to do and I hope the Cambridge Diet may be what I need to help me get my life back. Keep up the good work all xxxx
posted May 24th, 2008 9:20 pmKate
Just reading the site to see how everyone is doing - great - keep going we are doing fantastic. POOTLE - you mentioned your skin is dry - so WAS mine all my life and especially at the start of me going on CD - but not now, never been better - make sure you drink all the water and keep it up - it will all come right. TROOPERSUE - Its been strange reading your comments re bruising as I found a large bruise above my knee - looked quite bad and for the life of me could not think of how I had got it, also had a couple on my arms could not account for - very interesting thanks for finding out - did not even occur to me. Keep up the good work everyone.
posted May 23rd, 2008 6:13 pmjeanne
lost 9 lbs in the first 5 days 2nd weighin tomorrow
posted May 23rd, 2008 6:13 pmshaz
I am starting the ss on 27th April wish me look. Will let you know how its going
posted May 23rd, 2008 6:13 pm