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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
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 47 of 59, 1175 total comments)Andy
Hi, I've read about water retention whilst on the CD and know that I'm still burning fat. However, I'm on the CD in readiness for a medical and need to get my BMI down to 29. I'm not far off but haven't lost anything over the last few days, even though I've been very strict. I assume its water retention. My question is, Can I take water retention tablets or do anything else to encourage my body to shed the fluid? Andy
posted May 13th, 2008 9:25 pmdebbie
id just like to ask has anybody doing the ss and hav been good by sticking to it just stopped the same the following week as i hav not lost a thing but im still in ketosis as i have done a ketostix lookin forward to hearing from you
posted May 12th, 2008 9:19 amemma
Hi every1 - just to say hi really and hope pple are still motivated? Could really have murdered a curry or a kebab last night! I had so many urges but i am pleased that i didn't! I am ok on this, week two starts today, but god i miss food!!! But the end results will be worthwhile - think i have lost about 12 pounds on week 1 and have my first weigh in and measurements this Friday so wish me luck! I feel much better in myself and have started to notice a difference so that's really good - we need to get behind each other, whoever is struggling with weakening and spur every1 on - and for Kelly, well done you, thanks also for your bit on weighing - it does get an obsession - have left it now 3 days and don't intend to weigh again until Wednesday! Good luk every1, Emma xxxxxx
posted May 12th, 2008 9:19 amdawn
janes,you'll find that it works out just the same as food shopping if not a bit less remember you wont be eating food just think how much you can spend on say sandwich,crisps,choc bar ,drink its easily a fiver when 3 shakes work out at.�4.80.I've been on this diet doin ss for 10 wks and lost 46lb wk 9 and i started to go up the levels and done add a meal
posted May 12th, 2008 9:19 amdebbie
well i hav just been on the scales and i havent lost a thing this week and my day is up for second week in 2 days iv been on the ss as well i am still in ketosis stage as iv done a test but gone on the scales and never moved im so down now wonderin if its worth it x
posted May 12th, 2008 9:19 am26stone!
day 6 and ive lost a total of 14 pounds ( faints) now worried about hairloss:( ....has any one had it ?
posted May 12th, 2008 9:19 amjanes
Hi - I just wondered if anyone can help me with some information. I have several stones to loose, and have now started on the cambridge diet. So far, so good, but I just wondered if anybody outh there has managed to get funding from their GP? Feel that I could do well on this diet, but not sure I can afford the weekly amounts. My doctor has offered me surgery in the past, but I don't really want to go down that road, so just wondered if anybody else has approached their doctor for funding? Look forward to hearing from you.
posted May 11th, 2008 7:15 amdebbie
well had my first weigh in on day 9 and lost 9lb iv started my second week still sometimes crave for food only when my partner is eatin but im not hungry i hav nibbled abit on cucumber so i hope it dosnt effect my ketosis stage hope not ill hate my self iv been on my own scales and hav not lost any more since my weigh in which is abit sicken will have to see on 15th may my 2nd weigh in so im prayin x
posted May 11th, 2008 7:15 amKelly
Hi everyone i have been doing the ss for 6 weeks and have lost 2 stone, first week 8 then 7 then 2 then 4 then 2 and this week i lost 5 which is a total of 28 lbs, ive also lost loads of inches and now people are telling me ive lost weight which feels great, i have 4 weeks left until my holiday and i want to lose another stone, my counciller is fab really motivates me, its great to see so many getting on well with it, the firrst few weeks you need alot of motivation. I would like to make a suggestion to people though about weighing themselves, reading all the comments a few people are weighin themselves, try not to get obsessed with weighing and look forward to the meetings with your councillers it will be a pleasant suprise, i also think that if you obsess with weighin yourselves then if your not having a good week or day and the scales are not telling you what you want to see then you have more chance of weakening, i certainly found that for myself, ive also started swimming, it killed me at first but now im really enjoying it and i can see the weight dropping off me, this week alone i have lost 4 inches from my waist, so keep up the hard wrk everyone because you know it will be worth it!
posted May 11th, 2008 7:15 amjayne phillips
have just had my 2nd weigh-in and have lost another 6lb. Thats 21lb in two weeks!! Had to cook a meal last week for friends - found it a little hard but they were very supportive. Stuck to a weight watchers meal and veg and no wine, only water. Am going on holiday in 2 weeks time, so that is keeping me motivated - that, and the fear of not being able to do my seat belt up on the plane!! lol.
posted May 11th, 2008 7:15 amVictoria (Gosport)
Done 2 weeks of this amazing diet and have lost 1 stone 1lb already, feel so much better in meself already :o) Yes i have a long way to go yet but at this rate ill be a skinny minnie for the summer..
posted May 10th, 2008 7:51 am26stone!
emma u sound so motivated ! good on you .....im on day 5 and have lost 10pound ......feel better already i dont really get hungry which is fantastic but i do miss food ..almost dribbled last night thinking of a chease n tomatoe sanwhich ....but its a mild feeling not and i got over it ..yay me lol
posted May 10th, 2008 7:51 am26stone!
im on day 4 lost 6 pound so far need some buddies tot alk about it with
posted May 9th, 2008 9:32 amAlison Hants
hiya after reading all your comments i cant wait to start the diet on 11/5/08,i have tried so many diets before and failed but im sure this one is going to work .Keep up all the hard work you lovely people , i will keep you posted on how i am doing
posted May 9th, 2008 9:32 amemma
Hi, new to the CD - started this Monday, day 4 now and feel really good actually, better than i thought i would being addicted to junk food for 5 years! I have 7 stone to lose and already i have lost about 10lb. Very pleased with it, and feel energised. Miss food lots but the thought of being slimmer in the summer and less insecure keeps me motivated at the moment, and i have found this site really encouraging (only stumbled across it today....!) To be slimmer means more to me than breaking it. I found day 2 the hardest, but i haven't cheated once; i have 3 shakes a day, and about 5 pints of water - i will miss eating out and drinking with the girls but i need to keep being focused and positive. I can't wait for people to start noticing that i am losing weight! Its great to have the support of a counsellor and i can't wait til a week on monday when i have my weigh in and inch loss measured etc. Keep up the good work everyone, and i have no time for people who have got less than a stone to lose. This diet isn't really designed for that, its more of a struggle and i think even more of a success for people who have a few stones to lose. I need to as i have said, and i am determined to break my cycle of eating crap and life revolving about what else i can buy from the takeaway!!! Good luck everyone, would be good to hear back from anyone to keep us all going! xxx
posted May 8th, 2008 4:48 pmlorraine
hi to u all hope u all doin well ,troopersue which plan are u doin to make sure u lose a stone a month ,and is any one doin much exercise, . is 4to5lb a week good for 3rd or 4th week please let me no good luck to u all
posted May 8th, 2008 4:48 pmjayne
Hi -am nearly at end of week 2. Lost 15lb my first week, but don:t feel as if i've lost any this week - am a bit worried actually.
posted May 7th, 2008 10:32 pmdebbie
hi iv started the cd diet and have been on it for 9days iv got my first weigh in 2mor. i hav been ok with headaches but carnt go to the loo properly and also i feel very tired. i have been drinkin plenty of water 4 pints day but still carnt go. i get alot of cravings but im sticking it out its been really hard but if i can hav a fast weight loss it will b worth it. hope my first weigh in will b worth it as im clammin for a nice bit of steak and a glass of wine lol x
posted May 7th, 2008 10:32 pmCaroline
starting cd today, have tried before but failed!! Nobody agrees with this diet but surely this is for me. Did lighterlife life and lost 4st in 14 weeks. Can do it. Just need to change my lifestyle afterwards, have plenty time while doing the diet. Good luck to everybody x
posted May 7th, 2008 9:39 amlorraine
hi to u all hope you all doin well and keepin strong i had a bit of a monment of weakness did not think i could carry on so i got my hoilday stuff out and put them on to get myself on the right track come on girls and men we can do it together and help each other kep up the good work
posted May 7th, 2008 9:39 am