What is it?
The Cambridge Diet is a weight loss program offering pre-packed meals, counseling, and low calorie meal suggestions. It’s considered a VLCD, which means it’s a very low calorie diet.
One can select between 415 to 1500 calories depending on one’s weight loss goals, gender, and tolerance. Consultants are offered not just to guide, but to recommend what calorie limit one should follow. There have been numerous diets observed by our experts, and the highest rated one has been the 18Shake Diet. It offers a diet pill and meal replacement shakes that aim to reduce appetite for hours, all while providing fat burning effects with its all natural ingredients. More information about the 18Shake Diet can be seen in the link here.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2025?
Cambridge DietIngredients and Side Effects
Here are some noteworthy ingredients added to their prepackaged foods:
Skimmed Milk Powder
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Maltodextrin
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Guar Gum
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Refined Fractionated Palm Oil
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Acesulfame K
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Sucralose
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Carrageenan
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Flavourings
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Dried Glucose Syrup
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Silicon Dioxide
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Oligofructose
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Guar Gum:Fiber extract taken from the guar plant. It’s used as a general thickener in processed foods, as well as a laxative. It can promote side effects that include:
• Diarrhea, gas, and loose stools.
• Indigestion, nausea, and stomach pains.
Acesulfame K: Artificial sweetener around 200 times sweeter than standard sugar. A study by PLOS One found that:
“Long-Term Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Alters Neurometabolic Functions”
This study showed that in mice there was an effect on insulin and leptin levels. The same study added:
“chronic use… could affect cognitive functions, potentially via altering neuro-metabolic functions”
It also has shown the potential for other side effects according to a review by the Oxford Journals:
“long-dated function on the adult’s sweet preference”
This study was conducted on mice that were given their mother’s breast milk or amniotic fluid in birth, and their preference for sweets changed.
Sucralose: Artificialsweetener that can be around 1,000 times much sweeter than sugar. It has been used controversially since some studies have shown it to be potentially dangerous. One such study was performed by Duke University and it revealed:
“numerous adverse effects”
“reduction in beneficial fecal microflora, increased fecal pH, and enhancedexpression levels of P-gp”
This means the body considers it a toxin, and it reduces healthy bacteria which helps support the immune system according to this clinical study.
Carrageenan: Thickener and binder extractedfrom red seaweed.The University of Iowa ran a study which showed:
“carcinogenic properties of degraded carrageenan”
“ulcerations and neoplasms in association with exposure to carrageenan”
This has shown the possibility for causing serious issues in the body.
The link provided here has the top 10 ranked diets of the year.
The types of foods offered by the Cambridge Diet are meal replacement shakes, bars, pasta, rice, soups, desserts, and other snacks. According to the official website:
“products contain the vitamins and minerals you need for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss”
Most of what one eats will be the prepackaged foods. This can make it easier to handle a caloric loss, as the foods are specially formulated to be lower in calories. There are also 6 steps outlined one must follow, though where one begins depends on what the counselor advises. Here are the steps:
• Sole Source: 3 to 4 prepackaged foods are eaten a day. The Sole Source Plus option allows for 3 prepacked goods alongside meal of 200 calories, or 4 of the companies meals with 200 ml of skimmed milk.
• 2nd Stage: Protein rich meals are added as well as some skimmed milk and vegetables alongside up o Cambridge meals. It’s typically limited to 810 calories a day for a week long period.
• 3rd Stage: 2 of the meals, some milk, and a 1,000 calorie a day limit. This is enforced for 2 weeks.
• 4th Stage: 2 prepackaged meals, some skimmed milk, and more regular meals.
• 5th Stage: One Cambridge meal and breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner for a total of 1500 calories.
• 6th Stage: Once your heathy weight is reached, this stage helps maintain results. One prepackaged meal a day is recommended alongside continued support from a consultant.
It’s unclear whether or not the consultants have any background in diet and nutrition. It’s unlikely however that they use real certified dieticians, which can be potentially dangerous or lead to wrong advice. Our experts have analyzed many diets and have ranked the top 10 in the list here.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.
Cambridge Diet Quality of Ingredients
Since the beginning of the program asks for a majority of foods to be selected from the company’s prepackaged foods, it’s important for the ingredients to be wholesome.
Unfortunately, they use artificial sweeteners and cheap thickeners often used to replace fiber. These kinds of additives can actually make weight loss harder, as studies have shown they may cause metabolism disorders as well as other side effects.
It’s also difficult to understand what kind of help is provided by the counselors, which remains to be seen whether or not they are actually certified to give health and nutrition advice. The link provided here has a list of the highest rated diets.
A review on the Cambridge Diet was performed by the British Dietetic Association, and they have listed possible side effects which include:
“bad breathe, a dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation”
They also advise for medical support when a person is to receive less than 600 calories, which some plans offered by the company suggest only 450 calories a day. It’s unclear if the counselors offer any support for this type of reduction in calories.
The Price and Quality of Cambridge Diet
The price depends more on how often once decides to use the prepackaged meals. The official website states it will cost per week 48.30 pounds, which rounds to a weekly price of $63.46. Since this is a UK based plan, no consultations are available outside the US. In fact, on the official site there is a map where support and availability is offered, and there are no listings for the US.
The quality of meals is poor, as the additives included are often found in processed foods. It can also be expensive to have to keep using the company’s foods, as the final stage of maintenance requires one pre-packaged meal a day.
Business of Cambridge Diet
The contact information for the diet is as follows:
Phone Number: (44)(0) 1536 403344
Address:Stafford House, 10 Brakey Road
Corby, Northants, NN17 5LU
Email: [email protected]
The official website lists how to become a paid consultant for the company. Nowhere in the job skills is there any notice for people to have a background in health and nutrition. The company only asks for people with a background in sales who are organized and can plan ahead.
This means that it’s likely the people who are meant to give support have no skills in helping people with weight loss. The link cited here has the top 10 ranked diets.
EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of Cambridge Diet
Here are some direct quotes from user reviews:
“not the best diet health wise… nails went brittle thin, hair began to thin rapidly”
“never felt full, I always felt hungry”
“Having a bad time with motivation”
“the first few days are the hardest”
Though there were some weight loss results for people, there were also issues due to a lack of calories. Many felt weakened, less energetic, and much more fatigued than usual.
Some also had symptoms that are clear signs of nutrient deficiencies such as brittle and weak nails, thin hair, and increased stress. This was often the case for people who attempted this diet.
The top 10 ranked diet plans can be seeninthe link provided here.
Conclusion - Does Cambridge DietWork?
The Cambridge Diet is similar to other diet plans which offer pre-packaged foods. There’s also counseling offered, but it’s clear that the support is from people who are more business people rather than nutrition experts. Many of the foods offered have processed ingredients, though they are low in calories. Reviews have been mixed with some experiencing health issues and hunger. Though a low calorie plan like this can work, any reduction in calories can result in weight loss. There’s nothing special added to the prepackaged foods which isn’t found in a standard processed meal.
Our experts have performed many reviews and have discovered that the most effective diet is the 18Shake Diet. It provides a combination of a meal replacement and a diet pill. They both provide only natural ingredients, no stimulants, and no unwanted artificial or additives. Its effects include appetite suppression, increased fat burning, and more. When used together it enhances weight loss at a faster rate. Customers have also left positive testimonials on the official website.
The 18Shake Diet is also supported by a full 30 day money back guarantee. This allows for people to try this product risk free, and with no questions asked. More information about the specifics of the 18Shake Diet is available here.
User Feedback
(Page 54 of 59, 1175 total comments)Hayley
Hi, i have just started SS today!!! i did it about a month ago for a week and lost 10lbs!!! unfourtunatly my daughters chicken dippers and potato waffle were to much of a temptation for me and i gave up!! i have just over 3 stone to loose and am very determined after reading all your comments. its amazing how much it helps. i will keep you informed of my weight loss!!!
posted Mar 25th, 2008 9:43 amTroopersue
24-03-08. Just had my 2nd week's weigh-in and have lost 6lb this week. So that's 13lb in 2 week's. Was gutted that I didn't tip the one stone mark, but im still chuffed to bits with 13lb loss to date. To Shez :- I really don't think that amount of exercise is good for you with a VLCD. It's amazin that you didn't faint. It covers all about exercise in the brochure that your Cambridge counsellor should have given you. To Tara:- How awful to read of your illness. Glad you are now feeling much better and are giving it another go. Wish you lots of luck and keep us updated how it goes. Well ...... my teeth, gums and jaws had a right celebration tonight. A Chocolate peanut bar to crunch. Felt so good after 2 weeks of not getting my teeth into anything. So with mix-a-mousse and choc bars I feel like ive won the lottery ..LOL.
posted Mar 24th, 2008 6:40 pmTara
24-3-08. I'm 31, 5'6" and initially weighed 14St, 4lbs. I started on Lighterlife and in one month lost a whole stone, problem is, these VLC diets lower your immune system so it's advisable to take vitamin suppliments as some people's systems are not as strong as others and need more than what's in the packs. I was one of those. I spent 3 weeks in hospital with viral meningitis due to the lack of proper vitamins which lowered my immune system. The illness was so terrible I would have rather gone through child birth ten times. OK, so I'm now starting the Cambridge diet a year later. It took me 6 months to fully recover and get the courage to go at it again, especially since I've put on a bit of weight. I now weigh 13st 7lbs, still nearly a stone lighter than when I started a year ago and considering it's been a year, I haven't piled on the weight straight after like the rumours state. My method now is to take vitamin tablets along with the shakes/food packs. I discovered Forceval which is a high dose vitamin pill which helped me recover my strength when I was ill with meningitis. You can get this at any pharmacy but its not recommended for long term use. I've been trying to start the Cambridge diet for the last two weeks now but keep failing. It's true that when you slip for a length of time, it's harder to get back on the bike. My advice is to stick with it. If you slip for a day, don't panic or use it as an excuse to stop or cut out the diet for that day as that one day rolls into two and so on. My story is rare and unfortunate and I hope I haven't discouraged anyone from trying this diet. I just want to help people know the importance of taking extra vitamins, I mean, it can't hurt can it?
posted Mar 24th, 2008 8:35 amShez
23-03-08 I've been on CD SS for 4 days now. I'm 5'6" and weighed in at 71.2kg at the start. My weight this morning after 3 complete days in 66.6kg (weight loss of around 7lbs). I didn't have a lot to loose - just 10kg, but this is the kick start I needed to get myself into gear! I did go for a 2km run, which I tried to take easy! But its been hard to not do much exercise - I didn't realise I was such an active person until I started CD! My only problem with exercising is that I feel so drained and exhausted afterwards - just don't have the energy for it! I also lost a lot more weight (4lbs) on the day I was at work, sitting at a desk all day and got no exercise at all! Has anyone else noticed that loose more through not exercising?
posted Mar 23rd, 2008 6:53 pmAlison
Hi Troopersue, In total I only need to lose 2 stone so i have one more to go. I gave up smoking in January and have eaten like a hog since and now enough is enough and I hoping that this diet will put me back on track fairly quickly and will make me think about what im eating in future. The good thing too is that my husband has lost some weight too since i have been doing this!! Im afraid to say it was always me saying.. Lets have a chinese tonight!!! Unfortunatley my CD councilor is away for 2 weeks so will have to wait for my weigh in (well on her scales that is!!) I will still keep a track on mine. I also found myself weighing myself a few times a day! This is not good because you gain weight during the day even though u are only drinking water!! I will now only step on the scales every three days! Keep going it wll all be worth it and let us all know how you get on.
posted Mar 22nd, 2008 7:13 pmTroopersue
Wishing you all the luck in the world mj, do let us know how it goes. Keep positive. To Alison- know what ya mean by people saying "wait till you start to eat etc". Have you much to lose ? Playing a few games of online bingo is another good way of keeping your mind off of food. Cant wait for my 2nd weigh-in on monday evening. Plus buying the bars. mmmmm to chew again!!!!!!. Good luck for your next weigh-in .
posted Mar 22nd, 2008 12:10 pmmj
starting the cd 2morrow wish me luck let you know in a few days how i'm getting on
posted Mar 21st, 2008 3:13 pmAlison
Hello Im now into week 2 and already I have lost a stone! The effects are amazing! I know that the weight lose will be slower now but its a real kick to get you started and on the way to a brand new you. Im not saying its easy cause its not. I wouldnt say Im hungry just fanciful and in my office every day is a convabelt of food that people bring in!! Cakes hot cross buns biscuits bread and pate! but I have not given in and I have to say much to the disdain of the girls at work who I know are just waiting for me to fail! ?Im a little tired of hearing "its all very well but you wait till you start to eat it will all go back on!" Well comments like that just make me stronger! I also have to say that in my week moments I log on to this page and read all athe comments again and I feel that everyone here is routing for everyone else to succeed. And suceed we will!! Good luck to everyone.
posted Mar 21st, 2008 11:43 amCaroline
I take my hat off to all of you. I think i have tried this diet 4 times now and have never got beyond 2 complete days before giving in and having something to eat. I am 2 stone overweight and wish i could just do it cos i know how much better i feel about life when i'm slim and looking good. I still lost half a stone the first week i did it even though i cheated a lot. Anyway, good luck and well done to all who are doing this - keep being strong!!
posted Mar 20th, 2008 12:39 pmmj
picking my shakes up 2morrow can't wait to start.hopefully i do well as all you's others.let you know how my first week went next week
posted Mar 20th, 2008 11:40 amTroopersue
Wow - well done Slimmer sue and Debbie, you're both doing great. And to Debbie, wanna swap houses ..lol. (just kiddin). That would kill me living so close to a chippy. The only burning issue I have at the moment is that I want to chew something !!!!. My jaws are feeling very reduntant and they don't like it at all. Roll on next week when I can have the bars .... ohhh cant wait :-)
posted Mar 19th, 2008 2:12 pmslimmer sue
Been on the diet for 2 weeks and lost 11/2 st ,haven't found the diet hard at all because i want to be thin more than food ,Good luck to all the cd slimmers keep going !!
posted Mar 19th, 2008 7:14 amDebbie
Well i am really pleased with myself. I have completed my first week of sole source. first couple of days I had a headache which I am not sure was to do with sole source. I tend to get headaches if my nose is stuffed up which it constantly is. Nasal issues aaaaah. Anyway I lost 10lb in one week. Its going to take me about 8 months to get to goal. And to those of you who only have 2 stone to loose - start CD its better than 8 months of shakes. It is making me think about flash points and desire. I live across the road from a chinese, a chipshop and a cake shop. I have been analysing why I comfort ate and it was to do with a bad relationship and food was my way of being good to myself. I am thinking of getting counselling to see how I can overcome my relationship with food. I am pleased with the results - its going to cost me a fortune in clothes lol. I have an image of myself in army clothes and boots with my red hair flowing - its something I am holding onto.
posted Mar 19th, 2008 7:14 amTroopersue
Official weight loss figure for 1st week was 7lb, woohoo!!
posted Mar 17th, 2008 5:07 pmTroopersue
Ive now completed my 1st week on the cambridge diet and due for my official weigh-in this evening. Im 53yrs old, 5ft 6ins and last monday evening 10/01/08 I weighed in at 13st 11lb. This morning (and bear in mind this was the morning minus clothing) I weighed 13st 4lb. Unlike all the other comments ive read on here so far, im not doing this to "look great" etc, that would be a bonus to me. Im doing it for pain relief. 2yrs ago I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Since Sept 07 I have been suffering with an awful pain in my right thigh. It goes from my hip to my knee. x-rays, orthopeadic specialist and gp all agree I have a root nerve trapped. Its a bit like sciatica. Ive also been seeing a chiropractor, who agrees with my gp and hospital that losing a bit of weight would help my problem no end. Evidentally for every 1lb of body weight you lose it takes 2lb of pressure off your spine !!! This 1st week has been fine, no headaches, no moods, no extreme hunger. I have drunk the required 2litres of water a day and havent cheated once. I think my weight loss would have been much better if I had been able to do some form of exercise, but at the moment, my leg is far too painful. I am still managing to go to work (part-time) at the moment, but honestly believe that this is my last hope of helping this pain. Has anyone else noticed that any pain they had prior to starting CD has gone since losing their weight ?
posted Mar 17th, 2008 8:59 amscw
I have been on CD for 7 weeks now and have lost 1 stone 7 lb and apx 18 inches in total. I can see a difference and it shows in my clothes, which is such an incentive. I feel so much healthier in myself. I am drinking a tea called Dogadan which is a Turkish Tea, if anyone is having trouble going to the toilet, this Tea will help and as it is a leaf tea which you are allowed. I wish you all the best of luck.
posted Mar 16th, 2008 1:56 pmangie
I'm just about to start wk 3. Wk1 lost 12lb. Wk2 lost 5lb. I've got 3and1/2 stone to lose and I'm determined to do it. Its not as hard as I thought. Losing weight is not easy and I needed a quick loss programme. I'm thrilled with the results and feel fine. I'm no more tired than I was when I eating really unhealthily! Next challenge is introducing some excercise next week, but I'm the only one in control of my destiny. The CD certainly suits me as I lead a very busy lifestyle. Work full time, 3 children. I actually find it satisfying to cook for the kids (maybe its the smell) and I know I'm going to do it and not go back to being the unhappy large person I was. In two weeks I have already picked up one good habit, drinking 2-3 litres of water a day. Black decaf coffee with a sweetner is very palatable and I can feel the results in my clothes, see it in my skin and feeling really positive about the whole experience. I do miss food and having a drink but I can make up for that in 3mths! The difference is going to be that if I put on 1/2 a stone it won't be a problem compared to the one I've had for the last 15yrs. What's the alternative? Pretending that I'm healthy eating and then sliding back into the vicious circle of being 'good' for a couple of weeks etc. I would recommend this to anyone who understands the pains of trying to lose weight. I found the 2nd week to be the hardest so far but I' a 1/4 of the way there already. I haven't 'cheated' once and I don't intend to. The only way I will gain weight ever again is if I eat more calories than I'm using every day! x
posted Mar 15th, 2008 7:56 amJem Bird
I am 2lb off of 2st now and on my 7th week. I have found that having the bars has helped me with the wanting to eat something craving. I have a bar in the morning, a shake at lunch and soup in the evening.. Anyone in the uk may also want to invest in a 'blendabottle' from Lakeland stores. Really helps with the mixing of the shakes and soups. My advice for those who are tired alot is go for a walk. Clears your head and gets some air into your lungs.. Also with regard to exercise, I have been jogging for approx 30 mins once or twice a week and not experienced any fainting etc. If you are exercising though i'd advise you have an extra shake or soup. I was also advised that if i needed to nibble it was best to have some chicken or cheese (in moderation of course)...this is what I have done and it has never affected my weight loss... To the guy who wanted to know if one meal would hurt him...no it wont have that much of an affect although you will find that the next day you feel really hungry as you have kicked yourself out of ketosis.... NO to alcohol though... too much sugar!!! Good luck everyone and well done to the losers!!
posted Mar 14th, 2008 5:37 pmBunchy
Hi all you determined, slim-to-be people! Just wanted to say that I'm on Day 3 and feel amazing! Day 1 & 2 were difficult with feeling wobbly and dreaming of the food I couldn't eat, but I think I'm out of that stage now. I've read all the comments and find it really inspiring how many strong determined people are doing the same. I sincerely wish everyone one luck with their diet and lets all look forward to being noticed for all the right reasons!! Best of Luck to All ! xx
posted Mar 13th, 2008 3:55 pmMargarita
Hi All. My message is for those who worry about hair loss. I did Lighter Life lost 4 st and the hair loss is not patchy. Although some of my hair did come off I never looked any different! Go for it hair grows back. I am starting CD on Tuesday to lose two more stone. I got tired with L.L. soups and just need different tastes. Wish me luck and good luck to you all.
posted Mar 13th, 2008 9:56 am