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Home 
Diets
Calorie Counting
How Does
Cambridge Diet Compare?
BACKGROUND
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PRO
CON
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Cambridge Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
Cambridge Diet Review (UPDATED 2025): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
A liquid diet that may be too calorie restrictive for long-term success.
Top Rated Diets of 2025What is it?
The Cambridge Diet is a weight loss program offering pre-packed meals, counseling, and low calorie meal suggestions. It’s considered a VLCD, which means it’s a very low calorie diet.
One can select between 415 to 1500 calories depending on one’s weight loss goals, gender, and tolerance. Consultants are offered not just to guide, but to recommend what calorie limit one should follow. There have been numerous diets observed by our experts, and the highest rated one has been the 18Shake Diet. It offers a diet pill and meal replacement shakes that aim to reduce appetite for hours, all while providing fat burning effects with its all natural ingredients. More information about the 18Shake Diet can be seen in the link here.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2025?
Cambridge DietIngredients and Side Effects
Here are some noteworthy ingredients added to their prepackaged foods:
|
Skimmed Milk Powder |
Maltodextrin |
Guar Gum |
Refined Fractionated Palm Oil |
Acesulfame K |
|
Sucralose |
Carrageenan |
Flavourings |
Dried Glucose Syrup |
Silicon Dioxide |
|
Oligofructose |
|
|||
Guar Gum:Fiber extract taken from the guar plant. It’s used as a general thickener in processed foods, as well as a laxative. It can promote side effects that include:
• Diarrhea, gas, and loose stools.
• Indigestion, nausea, and stomach pains.
Acesulfame K: Artificial sweetener around 200 times sweeter than standard sugar. A study by PLOS One found that:
“Long-Term Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Alters Neurometabolic Functions”
This study showed that in mice there was an effect on insulin and leptin levels. The same study added:
“chronic use… could affect cognitive functions, potentially via altering neuro-metabolic functions”
It also has shown the potential for other side effects according to a review by the Oxford Journals:
“long-dated function on the adult’s sweet preference”
This study was conducted on mice that were given their mother’s breast milk or amniotic fluid in birth, and their preference for sweets changed.
Sucralose: Artificialsweetener that can be around 1,000 times much sweeter than sugar. It has been used controversially since some studies have shown it to be potentially dangerous. One such study was performed by Duke University and it revealed:
“numerous adverse effects”
“reduction in beneficial fecal microflora, increased fecal pH, and enhancedexpression levels of P-gp”
This means the body considers it a toxin, and it reduces healthy bacteria which helps support the immune system according to this clinical study.
Carrageenan: Thickener and binder extractedfrom red seaweed.The University of Iowa ran a study which showed:
“carcinogenic properties of degraded carrageenan”
“ulcerations and neoplasms in association with exposure to carrageenan”
This has shown the possibility for causing serious issues in the body.
The link provided here has the top 10 ranked diets of the year.
The types of foods offered by the Cambridge Diet are meal replacement shakes, bars, pasta, rice, soups, desserts, and other snacks. According to the official website:
“products contain the vitamins and minerals you need for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss”
Most of what one eats will be the prepackaged foods. This can make it easier to handle a caloric loss, as the foods are specially formulated to be lower in calories. There are also 6 steps outlined one must follow, though where one begins depends on what the counselor advises. Here are the steps:
• Sole Source: 3 to 4 prepackaged foods are eaten a day. The Sole Source Plus option allows for 3 prepacked goods alongside meal of 200 calories, or 4 of the companies meals with 200 ml of skimmed milk.
• 2nd Stage: Protein rich meals are added as well as some skimmed milk and vegetables alongside up o Cambridge meals. It’s typically limited to 810 calories a day for a week long period.
• 3rd Stage: 2 of the meals, some milk, and a 1,000 calorie a day limit. This is enforced for 2 weeks.
• 4th Stage: 2 prepackaged meals, some skimmed milk, and more regular meals.
• 5th Stage: One Cambridge meal and breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner for a total of 1500 calories.
• 6th Stage: Once your heathy weight is reached, this stage helps maintain results. One prepackaged meal a day is recommended alongside continued support from a consultant.
It’s unclear whether or not the consultants have any background in diet and nutrition. It’s unlikely however that they use real certified dieticians, which can be potentially dangerous or lead to wrong advice. Our experts have analyzed many diets and have ranked the top 10 in the list here.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.
Cambridge Diet Quality of Ingredients
Since the beginning of the program asks for a majority of foods to be selected from the company’s prepackaged foods, it’s important for the ingredients to be wholesome.
Unfortunately, they use artificial sweeteners and cheap thickeners often used to replace fiber. These kinds of additives can actually make weight loss harder, as studies have shown they may cause metabolism disorders as well as other side effects.
It’s also difficult to understand what kind of help is provided by the counselors, which remains to be seen whether or not they are actually certified to give health and nutrition advice. The link provided here has a list of the highest rated diets.
A review on the Cambridge Diet was performed by the British Dietetic Association, and they have listed possible side effects which include:
“bad breathe, a dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation”
They also advise for medical support when a person is to receive less than 600 calories, which some plans offered by the company suggest only 450 calories a day. It’s unclear if the counselors offer any support for this type of reduction in calories.
The Price and Quality of Cambridge Diet
The price depends more on how often once decides to use the prepackaged meals. The official website states it will cost per week 48.30 pounds, which rounds to a weekly price of $63.46. Since this is a UK based plan, no consultations are available outside the US. In fact, on the official site there is a map where support and availability is offered, and there are no listings for the US.
The quality of meals is poor, as the additives included are often found in processed foods. It can also be expensive to have to keep using the company’s foods, as the final stage of maintenance requires one pre-packaged meal a day.
Business of Cambridge Diet
The contact information for the diet is as follows:
Phone Number: (44)(0) 1536 403344
Address:Stafford House, 10 Brakey Road
Corby, Northants, NN17 5LU
Email: [email protected]
The official website lists how to become a paid consultant for the company. Nowhere in the job skills is there any notice for people to have a background in health and nutrition. The company only asks for people with a background in sales who are organized and can plan ahead.
This means that it’s likely the people who are meant to give support have no skills in helping people with weight loss. The link cited here has the top 10 ranked diets.
EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of Cambridge Diet
Here are some direct quotes from user reviews:
“not the best diet health wise… nails went brittle thin, hair began to thin rapidly”
“never felt full, I always felt hungry”
“Having a bad time with motivation”
“the first few days are the hardest”
Though there were some weight loss results for people, there were also issues due to a lack of calories. Many felt weakened, less energetic, and much more fatigued than usual.
Some also had symptoms that are clear signs of nutrient deficiencies such as brittle and weak nails, thin hair, and increased stress. This was often the case for people who attempted this diet.
The top 10 ranked diet plans can be seeninthe link provided here.
Conclusion - Does Cambridge DietWork?
The Cambridge Diet is similar to other diet plans which offer pre-packaged foods. There’s also counseling offered, but it’s clear that the support is from people who are more business people rather than nutrition experts. Many of the foods offered have processed ingredients, though they are low in calories. Reviews have been mixed with some experiencing health issues and hunger. Though a low calorie plan like this can work, any reduction in calories can result in weight loss. There’s nothing special added to the prepackaged foods which isn’t found in a standard processed meal.
Our experts have performed many reviews and have discovered that the most effective diet is the 18Shake Diet. It provides a combination of a meal replacement and a diet pill. They both provide only natural ingredients, no stimulants, and no unwanted artificial or additives. Its effects include appetite suppression, increased fat burning, and more. When used together it enhances weight loss at a faster rate. Customers have also left positive testimonials on the official website.
The 18Shake Diet is also supported by a full 30 day money back guarantee. This allows for people to try this product risk free, and with no questions asked. More information about the specifics of the 18Shake Diet is available here.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Easy to follow
- Cheap Price
- Fast Results
- High Protein Diet
- 91/100
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- Dukan Diet
- 89/100
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- Paleo Diet
- 87/100
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- Plexus Slim
- 77/100
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- Cambridge Diet
- 35 /100
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BACKGROUND
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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 46 of 59, 1175 total comments)Troopersue
Havent writen on site for a few weeks but I HAVE been reading all your reports. Well done to all of you, everyone seems to be doing really well at the moment. Ive now completed my 10th week and have lost 2st 4lb to date. Still have the pain in my leg but I dont think its quite so severe as it was at the start. So fingers firmly crossed. Earlier I reported about feeling cold a lot of the time. Having a salad a couple of days a week has helped keep the coldness at bay. Recently, I experienced another problem. I havent read of anyone experiencing it on here but just incase you do, I have a solution :>) When I woke one morning about 3 weeks ago, I noticed a bruise on my left arm. Hadnt knocked it so was quite puzzled. Later bruises appeared on my upper thighs. Looked as though hubby had been knocking me about !!. Over the next couple of days more and more small bruises appeared. Thankfully none on my face but was real careful not to touch or rub my face incase I ended up with 2 black eyes!. Spoke with my counsellor about this as I could only assume it was due to the CD. She made further enquiries for me and yes it sure was down to the diet. The bruising it caused through a lack of vitamin k. All other vitamins meet your daily requirements but as there is no RDA for vitamin K, there is only a small amount of it within the packs/bars. Normally with a normal diet you get vitamin K from the food you eat and different people require different amounts. Hence if youre someone who needs a bit extra vitamin K, which I obviously must do then CD doesnt contain enough, hence the bruising. Its to do with co-agulation of blood. I tried 3 different chemists who all said "only available on prescription". However, the final one I visited suggested a trip to Holland & barrett or a similar health stores. I managed to get a bottle of Vitamin K tablets from H&B but have since bought some off the internet. one tablet a day, 100 tablets per bottle - �3.49. Much cheaper than H&B and contains a higher dose too. Ive now been taking those for a week and the bruising is almost gone and no more have appeared so I think thats another problem solved. Has anyone else experienced this at all ? Next weigh-in on monday, will keep you updated. Good luck to everyone with your next weigh-in, we'll get there :>)
posted May 22nd, 2008 11:50 amEmma
Hi there everyone, well i had my second week weigh-in on Friday just gone and i have lost 2 1/2 inches from my hips, 1 from my waist, 1/2 from my arms and 1/2 from my legs, plus 1 stone 1 pound. I am very happy with that. Continuing on ss and find it ok most of the times, sometimes i get a gurgly stomach and feel like i want to eat, but i resist and the feeling the next morning when you have resisted and actually feel slightly thinner is amazing! I am going to a wedding in Dorset this weekend, just trying to buy clothes now and i have dropped a dress size already. Feel much better, and am hoping in another 3 months i will be where i want - but i need to lose another 4 or 5 stone so wish me luck!! Good luck to everyone again and lets all keep up the motivation xxxxx
posted May 21st, 2008 9:56 amasyaS
It now costs �36 a week. Ths is my 3rd time on this diet, it works and in my 1st week each time I have lost in excess of 10lbs. It is amazing as a kick start. I have never lacked energy or anything, but my problem is i go back to my old eating habits once I finish the diet which inevitably makes me pile the weight back on. At the moment I have 1stone and 12lbs to lose to get to my desired weight and I want to achieve this in 6 weeks in time for my partners birthday so i can knock him dead by looking beautiful for him. Wish me luck!!
posted May 21st, 2008 9:56 amayaan
to nix, thanks for your comment. I was very close to giving up diet but had a change of heart when I read your message especially your inch losses. That really spurred me on as had mental picture of me losing the same amount. Will keep going. These messages are really inspiring when u are having low points and it brings to home that we can achieve are goals when we put our minds to it and little encouragement goes a long way.
posted May 21st, 2008 9:56 amNix
I started the Cambridge diet approximately 7 weeks ago and have lost just over 2 stone. I started on the 810 plan and enjoyed eating skinless chicken with mushrooms, broccolli, cabbage in Oxo stock but then got bored. My own choice was to give up food completely and drop to Sole Source, where I now have a shake for breakfast, a meal bar for lunch (Peanut/Cranberry the BEST!) and another shake for dinner. I love it - don't get me wrong, I get hungry occasionally but I will not cheat. I have been super-strict the whole 7 weeks and I feel amazing! I have suffered no side effects other than a bit of a gurgly tummy at times, but that's to be expected with such a major diet like Cambridge. I drink lots of water, black tea and occasionally a nice ice cold diet coke. I was 37" around the waist but am now 32.5". I was 38" under the bust but am now 36". I'm finally out of my size 16's and comfortably in my 14's, but want to get to a size 12 which is possible by July on the Cambridge diet. Don't cheat and you'll really see results - if you're as determined as I am, you will enjoy it and see your body transform into the body you'll love!!
posted May 20th, 2008 12:28 pmpootle
This is just in reply to the vodka question,the 1st day i started this diet i had 4 double vodka and slimline tonics! I was talked into it by my friend! Anyway I lost 10lb that wk. Also to Kate, I agree about the jelly, I put a couple of those ready made pots in the fridge for when im tempted to eat something. The only downside i've found with this diet is i've started smoking more, im usually just a social smoker, but it really kills the hunger. Also im prone to dry skin, so my skins really suffering through the lack of fat in the diet.x
posted May 20th, 2008 12:28 pmmarnie x
hi guys you all sound so positive, im starting the cd next week, a little nervous and excited at the same time, as i have not lost a lot of weight before but need to now, i have read so many comments on this diet some bad but all mainly good, this will test my will power as i am a chocoholic and i do get cravings but i will just have to be strong! well keep an eye out for me guy's and i will be looking to all you guys for support in those weak moments,! good luck to eveyone! speak soon marnie xxxxxxxx
posted May 19th, 2008 6:03 pmlinda
i'm on my second day of ss and i can honestly say i'm struggling! please tell me it gets better!
posted May 19th, 2008 10:44 amNicolaW
I am on day 3 and am feeling ok,I am getting married in 4 months and cant get in my dress!!!Lets hope i am strong enough to stick to SS,Laura wood is that you asking about VDC?!?!?!
posted May 19th, 2008 10:44 amlozzrwood
anyone drink vodka and diet coke on this and still lose ???
posted May 18th, 2008 7:46 amKate
Keep motivated everyone - summer is nearly here!!!! I would just like to share with everyone that I only have 8lbs to my target weight and overall have lost 2 1/2 stone. Yes it has been really hard at times but if you want to succeed you WILL do it. I have never felt healthier (as all the shakes and meals are balanced with all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs - it also helps the cravings - as being deficient in vits and mins causes this - it is a perfectly safe diet as long as you are being monitored by your councellor, mine has been brilliant, with helpful suggestions and advice all along. Also been able to talk about what triggers us to overeat and manage the weight loss long term so that we do not go back to our past eating habits. I am following low GI foods and portion sizes when I get to target. It has took a lot of hard work and time to nearly reach my goal and do not intend to go back to pre CD eating - so come on we can all do it. I have just returned from a shopping trip for my holiday in 2 weeks time and the feeling of buying smaller fashionable clothes and most importantly correct fitting underwear (Bravissimo is fabulous!) is a much better feeling than missing a take away, kebab or alcohol. I am more confident and finally feel happy with my body and even my friends and family are encourageing as they can see that I am back to me again. Take photos at the start and then every month - it really works - also make up sugar free jellies (only 8 cals a portion) to have when you need to chew or for a change they have really helped me along the way and also with the water intake. If I don't have 3 -4 ltrs per day I really know about it ie, skin and tiredness, headaches. I am sorry if I have droned on for a while but if only 1 person is encouraged I have helped. THIS IS SAFE AND MONITORED AND JUST NEEDS OUR INPUT OF WILL POWER TO MAKE IT WORK - WE WILL ALL BE BIKINI BABES (AND 6 PACK FELLAS) ON THE BEACH.
posted May 18th, 2008 7:46 amdiva
hi all.... am on my 5th day n feelin a little tired n cold n fuzzy head... day 1,2 + 3 was great yeterday day 4 was horrible just wanted 2 sleep all day, but had 2 work feelin better 2day but still fuzzy head dont want 2 eat and my shakes r filling me up 2 the point where am havin my last 1 very late at nite 2 force it down me..... got 2 children n have 2 cook for them n its not been hard at all this diet is really workin 4 me just hope my head gets better.... looking forward 2 my 1st weigh in
posted May 18th, 2008 7:46 amBre
This is not healthy at all. Its only 500 Calories a day which basicaly means eating to live. Once your satisfied with the 10 pounds you have lost you go right to eating normal again and then the weight is just put right back on. This "yo-yo" dieting is not safe and can be extreamly harmful to your health.
posted May 16th, 2008 8:39 amSophieKia
Hi, been on CD step 3 for nearly 6 weeks now and have lost 1 stone and 2 pounds. I'm so happy.
posted May 15th, 2008 4:46 pmjane
hi: Rachel - I am on my third week of cd, doing 2 shakes a day, and a meal at night. I was also worried about the side effects - headaches etc, but so far so good and i find i am feeling much better than before when i was eating high calorie foods. good luck.
posted May 15th, 2008 4:46 pmAlison Hants
hi well this is my fifth day and i am going for weigh in later , fingers crossed ive done well i feel thinner will let you know how ive done later
posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 amPam
Hi, I have been reading some of your comments and I would just like to add that I have done this diet and it has completely changed my life and the way I think about food. I was just over 12 stone and needed to lose 2st 4lbs - I started in the beginning of October and had lost the weight by the end of December of the same year. I feel fantastic - I have kept the weight off it has now been nearly 2 years and I now am a counsellor for Cambridge as I want other people to feel as I do now. I also work as a trained nurse and would not advicate that anyone embarked on a diet that was unhealthy but I can assure you that I feel better now than I have ever felt. I read one of the comments about how she is 12 stone doing x amount of activities and not losing the weight. I also was that person and thought I would never be back to my ideal weight. It is hard but well worth it!!!! Pam x
posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 amRachel
Hi. I'm starting the CD tomorrow. My counsellor has advised me to start on step 2 - 810cals ie 3 CD meals and 1 meal of protein and veg in the eve. Am really nervous and worried about the possible side-effects - headaches/tiredness etc. Know that i'm going to find it really hard - especially going without my glass of wine in the evening - guess i will have to find something else to do? Will keep you posted.
posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 amjeanne
Hello all, day 3 on SS and havebeen feeling cold and have not weighed myself so dont know how I am doing, I feel hungry in my head because its habit. I hope I will lose weight with a good start at the weigh in
posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 amJanny
Hi everyone. Just started on day 1 today. Had chocolate shake for breakfast, leek and potato soup for lunch and walnut and ?? (something - can't remember) for evening meal. I enjoyed the lot - am I odd or just lucky? I hope I can do this - I have about 4 stone to lose and would like to lose as much of it as possible before I go on holiday in August. Just got back from a week in Florida and I can't bear to go on holiday as fat again. Jan
posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 am