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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 49 of 59, 1175 total comments)claira08
glad im not the only one, day 6 now, starting to struggle, got a really bad metal taste, weigh tomorrow and im getting my wii fit to help with excercise hopefully, x
posted Apr 24th, 2008 8:14 pmlorraine
hi to you all 2nd week i did have a round of bread to day in a moment of weakness but i think its because i am dew on next week , hope it has not affeced my weight loss . claire i no wot you mean about your sex drive my husband thinks it is ace ,i think its because we feel better about our selfs well second wayin on sunday hope its a good hope you all are keeping strong its hard but worth it //
posted Apr 24th, 2008 3:31 pmsuzanne
I was think the same about the sex drive.....lol..i am in day 4...and have felt brill....no bad heads thank god.....i have been so good 2....and drinking the water which i think had helped
posted Apr 24th, 2008 12:16 pmclaire
hi congrats tina, i have 3 ltr of water a day minimum, day 5 toda, god my sex drive has been sky high so far,and still loads of energy, no headache today, but really fancy some real food. but feeling thin, even if dont look it yet. got to keep going, xx
posted Apr 24th, 2008 9:21 amtina
Hi Guys, had my first weigh in yesterday and lost 7lbs!! I'm really pleased 3incs of my waist. Claire how much water are you drinking? you need to drink lots to not get headaches.
posted Apr 23rd, 2008 9:59 amsuzanne
hi i am on my 3rd day...been drinking loads of water...And so far no bad head..thank god...been feeling brill....And i had alittle peep and i have lost about 8-9 lbs in 3 days....so far i love being on it....this morning i have woke with a bad mouth so i no the its working.
posted Apr 23rd, 2008 9:59 amCheryl
If you would like help and support, log on to www.minimins.com. There you will find like minded people doing a variety of different diets. They are a godsend and will give you all the advice you need.
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 10:24 amCheryl
If you would like help and support, log on to www.minimins.com. There you will find like minded people doing a variety of different diets. They are a godsend and will give you all the advice you need.
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 10:24 amclaire
hi to all, i have done day 3 on ss 2 shakes 1 tetra, bad head all day but spent day shopping to take my mind off. worked. day 4 now and im feeling positive thanks to all you guys x
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 10:24 amlorraine
hi to u all had my 1st weigh in and lost 12lb and 10incsx really pleased , when u all go in to ketis how long are u in it for and do u ever come out . And when u are on ss are u havein all shakes or shakes and bars , finding i wont to pick at the kids food when im makin it but got to keep goin got alot more wieght to get rid of , ok keep it up guys
posted Apr 21st, 2008 3:16 pmdawn
hi guys, so far i've lost 31lb in 7 wks on both of my period weeks only lost 2lb the irst week and 1lb te 2nd and had great loses on all the other weeks im doing sole source and not cheated once so come on it can be done.
posted Apr 21st, 2008 3:16 pmAyaan
This is my two weeks on the ss and it has been hard. I've had all the symptons associates with this diet but, I am perservering as want to lose s stones by the end of August. First week was disappointing as not lost much, although I got my period the same week..so do not know if that had anything to do with it. Getting weighed today hoping more weight loss. I am also studying for my degree and this diet made it hard to study as could not focus. But, no pain no gain will stick to this diet no matter what.
posted Apr 21st, 2008 12:11 pmsuzanne
hi i am starting the diet this morning....drinking black off now...not to bad....I go on the cambridge web site..have loads of tips and brill dairys on the forums....take a look....suzanne
posted Apr 21st, 2008 12:11 pmclaire
i am struggling today but reading all your threads is keeping me going, im on ss day 2 windy and hungry, but still have an energy boost, which is great. keep going kelly im sure next week will be better, xx
posted Apr 20th, 2008 4:05 pmclaire
hi i am on day one, 19/04/08, i have been so hungry, but full of energy, will keep posted xx
posted Apr 20th, 2008 9:55 amKelly
i got weighed this week and only lost 2lbs on ss, i was dissapointed but it may be because i had just finished my period, has anyone else experienced this? the rest of the week is going to be hard!
posted Apr 20th, 2008 9:55 amlorraine
hi to u all big day tomorrow iget weighted on my scales ive lost 11lb frist week and can not beleave i have not eat nothing since monday ,will let u no how it goes keep upthe good work
posted Apr 19th, 2008 10:08 amtina
Hi everyone, i started SS on tues 15/04/08. only using chocolate & vanilla shakes. so far so good, i'm drinking 4litrs of water a day. In the mornings i'm having the vanilla shake hot with a spoon of coffee in it as missing milky coffee it does the trick. want to lose 3 stone by 15/07/08 when i go to Italy. Iknow you should'nt weigh yourself at home but i have & lost 5lb so far. Can't believe no food has oassed my lips since monday. especially when i'm cooking for my 4 kids & husband. I will do this wasted so much money on fad diets but this will work.
posted Apr 18th, 2008 11:43 amlorraine
hi to u all yes i dont like the stamberry one the only ones i can drink are banna and chocalate ,im on my 1st week day4 and i do feel a bit sick after my shake but i just get a drink of water after , I tried the soups but nt to keen, but the bars are ok . they are good if you are at work you can keep them in your bag and no one needs to no wot u are doing. got my 1st weigh in on sunday cant wait ,im glad that these people like me and we can all help and incorage each other good an keep up the good work........./
posted Apr 17th, 2008 1:55 pmKelly
Shelly - i had problems with the shakes at first because i was adding too much water, if you have a shaker try adding about 400 in it this worked for me, i actually enjoy the shakes now - GOOD LUCK and keep your goal in focus you can do it!
posted Apr 17th, 2008 10:08 am