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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
-
- Plexus Slim
- 77/100
-
- 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 48 of 59, 1175 total comments)Steve
Starting the diet tomorrow - Sole Source + (2 shakes, 1 soup & low cal meal a day) currently weigh 20.4 stone - target is 6 stone loss. I've been very encouraged by friends who have done this diet. Congrats to all who have lost weight using it :) wish me luck!
posted May 6th, 2008 8:54 amMaggie Elliott
Hi Troopersue, yes I'm still reading the site, have only lost 9 lbs to far, but not on sole so mustn't complain. I have found that the knees are not so bad, but one advantage I have found is that the menopause is not so bad since going onto it, has anhone else found that. Also I'm better on the lactose free drinks and soups the others give me terrible wind and upset stomach. I find it easier when I'm not at work to stick to, at work everyone comments on wehat I'm drinking or not eating, so heres to this bank holiday and having my own space. Mags;o)
posted May 5th, 2008 8:38 amMaria
Hi All! I am on my 3rd week of CD doing 810. I lost 10 lbs the 1st week which was a great motivation to keep going. 3 lb the 2nd week but feel great and can really see a difference in clothes. I have found it very easy to stick to and have had no side effects at all but drinking at least 3 litres of water a day - my skin looks great too! Knowing exactly what you can have each day just takes the worry and obsession out of it - it is amazing how wonderful a raw mushroom can taste when you have little else! My fav flavours are vanills with some cinnamon added and the oriental chili soup - the only soup I like. Choc or choc mint good at night as they taste a bit indulgent - well at least I tell yself they do!! Good luck to all - great to read all these as they do help you to stay focused.
posted May 5th, 2008 8:38 amAndy
Hi All, Just about to finish my first week on the diet. My scales suggest that I've lost about 10lbs in the first 5 days. Days 2 and 3 were hell, the headaches and other less attractive side effects hit me with a vengeance! Feel fine now with a boost of energy.Looking forward to seeing how I do week by week. Good luck everyone.
posted May 5th, 2008 8:38 amHope
Hi Brenda, I'm not sure if you're supposed to chew gum - I just find that it helps to take my mind off missing food, and I'm steadily losing weight so it works for me. That's not to say it will work for you, it's just a tip that you can try if you do miss eating. Also, there are tablets you can buy for reducing menstrual bloating from most chemists called AquaBan. They claim you can lose up to 2-3lbs water weight, but I would only use them as a quick fix for a special occasion, to not look bloated in a dress or something!! I've found constipation is a side effect of the diet, though if you stick it out it usually sorts itself, may be worth a trip to the docs though, see what they suggest if it doesn't get better. Good luck!! 7lbs is much better than none!! xx
posted May 1st, 2008 4:41 pmbrenda musgrove
hi everyone i,m on week two of ss only lost 7lb in first week was a bit dissapointed cos i neva cheated once,the weekend was hell,crying and everything,its a bit like being an ex alcoholic one day at a time.but i,m gonna persevere.can you chew gum?i read it wasnt recommended,iam also suffering with constapation taking senokot but they,re givin me an upset stomach,and feeling bloated.how do u know if your retaining water,and can you take anything for it
posted Apr 30th, 2008 8:46 pmTroopersue
- (28::4::08) Now completed wk 7 and lost 2lb this wk. Thats a total of 1st 12lb so far. Need to ensure I lose at least 2lb this next week to make my 1 stone a month target. Well done LORRAINE on your 15lb loss. That sure is going some. Keep up the good work. Gotta have more photos and new measurements taken next week. Argghhh!!!
posted Apr 28th, 2008 6:41 pmHope
Hey everyone, just been reading your comments and wanted to say thanks to whoever thought to discuss the CD and all of you who've been posting. I went on the diet early 2007 for 2 months and lost 3 stone, 1 of which I put back on over the year. I vowed never to do it again because I found it psychologically and emotionally hard - but I realised that it was a waste of money not to put the meals I had left to good use. I should warn those thinking about doing the diet that it IS very hard, and you really have to WANT to do it for the right reasons - not for anyone else but yourself. Now, second time round, I've been doing Sole Source for 15 days and lost about a stone as far as I can tell, and I've got about 10 more days left. Having been on the diet before, it's been difficult to stick to as it's a reminder that it didn't work the first time round, but to be honest that wasn't anybody's fault but my own. I was on the verge of giving up again until I found all your comments, and realised that if all of you can do it, then so can I! Good luck everyone!! xx PS. A couple of tips for those who are starting the diet up - I've found that using Ketosis testing strips (not very glamorous) can be encouraging. If you're losing momentum, you can test your pee to show yourself your body is in fat burning mode to keep you motivated. Also - chewing gum fools your brain into thinking you're having a sneaky cheat and keeps your nasty diet breath fresh!!!
posted Apr 28th, 2008 6:41 pmlorraine
hi to u all ive lost 15ib in two weeks i have had so moments but i wont to lose 3 or 4 stone so i got keep goin is every one doin ss and is you weight loss gettin steady just keep thinkin of my holls, i am sick of peoplle who i have told keep saying im mad i will put all of my weight back on when i come off it them people are just sad because they cant do it and i will show them all good luck to u all
posted Apr 28th, 2008 1:12 pmlorraine
hi to u all ive lost 15ib in two weeks i have had so moments but i wont to lose 3 or 4 stone so i got keep goin is every one doin ss and is you weight loss gettin steady just keep thinkin of my holls, i am sick of peoplle who i have told keep saying im mad i will put all of my weight back on when i come off it them people are just sad because they cant do it and i will show them all good luck to u all
posted Apr 28th, 2008 1:12 pmKelly
lost 4 lbs this week which is better than last week, in 4 weeks ive lost 21lbs and 24 inches! im really craving food now, 6 weeks until my holiday so thats what im looking forward to!
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amclaira08
hi all well done pamela x i did week one lost about 9lb now, but day 8 SORRY i ate............ i had 240 cal for my tea and missed my 3rd c/d. had green leafs tbsp cottage cheese 2oz of chicken breast, and small pieces of melon, ahhhhhhhh helped with that horrid taste, but hopefully back to ss tomorrow, hope my weiht loss isnt affected too much. x
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amVictoria
Hi every one started the CD yesterday and finding it ok not to keen of some of the shakes i have chosen but can get different flavours when i get weighed in on friday.. Fingers crossed ill loose a good few pound in me first week and by the sound of all these comment it will be done..
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amzoe
seeing councillor today to start tomorrow bit sceptical and have a holiday in 5 weeks need to lose a few stone overall need some support
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amcarlax
i start on monday i really cant wait i stopped drinkin wine 5 weeks ago and feel better already now i cant wait to lose weight , good luck to everyone and i will keep you informed on the weight loss
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amnimi
im startine cd tomorow as i got all the shakes today im 15stone and want to loose about 4 stone wish me luck and i will keep all you dietors updated on my sucess nimi
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amTroopersue
Is MAGS still reading this site ? am wondering how your knees are now and how much weight you've lost to date. So far ive lost 1st 10lb (next weigh-in tomorrow) but I still have the pain I originally had in my right leg that started me on this diet in the first place. I will carry on though - pain relief may be just around the corner ..lol. Will let you know how tomorrow's weigh-in goes. Keep smiling :) (27/4/08)
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amPetra
I'm on day 3 and I've lost 4lbs so far. It is hard but its worth it!
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amTina
Hi guys, gettin a bit bored now in my second week. It's the wknd fancy a glass of wine.(or six). But i wont as i know if i do then i'll also have to scoff my face. Only my hols in July is keepin me goin.
posted Apr 25th, 2008 9:15 ampamela
Hi everyone ive lost just over 3 stone in 3months on the cambridge diet. Found it really easy to stick to. This diet has been around for years and is well and truly tested so 100% safe. If it wasnt for cambridge i dont know where i would be now.im drinking 4litres of water a day. had alot more to lose yet though.
posted Apr 24th, 2008 8:14 pm