Home > Diets > Calorie Counting Diet Navigation    
User Rating

35%

of people who tried this diet like it

+ - Tried it? Rate it!
out of 100
based on 315 reviews
Cambridge Diet

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 2025
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

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.

How Does Cambridge Diet Compare?
  • Product Name
  • User Rating
  • Easy to follow
  • Cheap Price
  • Fast Results
  • Cambridge Diet
  • 35 /100
  • .
  • .

> Leave Feedback

User Feedback

(Page 57 of 59, 1175 total comments)

Saxa21

I've been on CD 18 months ago and lost 4 stones. Put 2 back. Now it's my day 3. It's hard but WORTH IT!!! Good Luck

tracie

hi i am now on my 4th week add ameal week and only hae 2lb 2 go and then i have lost 2 stone this diet does work you just have to keep at it and try and exercise 2-3 times a week .That is what i do i love it 2 more stone to go and i am target weight shouldnt take long though if the last 4 weeks are any thing to go by and the hardest part is over with now which was starting the diet and feeling hungry .

Res

hi guys i have been on he diet sole source for 18 days now n have lost 22lbs. its been a struggle for sure. the weight loss is slowling down now an im getting worried. im also feelind weak an light headed. has anyone else experienced this. im thinking of having one meal aday, but worried will this take me out of ketosis stage and really slow weight loss.

Anonymous

i started last week. im on step 3 as i only need to lose 7-8 kg but i hope i do as i suffered from bulimia and losing the weight will finally make me be happy as a person! but i think as I have such little weight to lose, its going to be difficult. i keep eating loads and loads of fruit. bad right?!

scw

I have finished my first week on SS and lost half a stone and 5 inches. I dont feel hungry but do have cravings. It does work.

Anonymous

well i have posted before after 2 weeks of doing ss on the cd diet i am now in my 4th week and i have lost to stone already and my next weigh in isnt until nxt tuesday so believe me this diet does work if your determined xx

tubs

i have just rang the councellor so i can start the cd wish me luck

naomi

i did the diet for about 4 days and hated it, i got bad headaches and was so tried. the best way is eat healthly and go to the gym xx

scw

I have been on the diet for 4 days, I have to say it is so much easier not having to count calories and not worry anout whar you can and can't have. I st weigh in on Wednesday. Fingers X. Good luck to you all.

IG

I've been on the diet 2 weeks now and have lost app 20lbs. If you drink enough water-no headaches ! Stick to it, it works

hopeful

i started cambridge 1.1.07 and lost 5st 7lbs, by oct. 07...came off it and only put 6lb back, starting it again tomorrow need to loose another 3st 11lb - i felt great on it, I am better just doing sole source all the time..not much fun for your social life but the long term goal will be worth it..then I want a tummy tuck & boob job!!

delareese

iv just done day 1 of CD with my brother and my friend. we foun the first day kinda hard as its so difficult not to eat ANYTHING!! but we managed it, and hope to see good results at the end of the week!

Anonymous

i have been doing this diet for almost two weeks now (got my 2nd weigh in tomorrow) first week i lost 14lbs - first two days were hell, hungry, tired, headache but then i felt the inner calm, no hunger and happy with myself. I have another three stone to lose until i review if i want to lose any more. shakes are nice and the soups are ok, but i feel the need to east something (which i havent yet). I have a family event in a few weeks time that will be a real test of my resolve, i am praying i will get through. I also have a business trip away in about 1 months time that i'm dreading - there will be so much temptation. I'm determined to win, i have real high blood pressure and i know this will help. I have my next appointment with my GP at the end of the month, if my blood pressure is still as high i will have to go on tablets - i'm not ready for that. All you cd people, stick with it if you fail this one then what next ? it's up to us to change the way we are which includes eating healthy after, no one else just us !!.

Anonymous

well im on week 2 now and i think its great, in 7 days i lost 14lbs yes thats exactly one stone in one week, i also lost lots of inches, 8 from my waist, 3 hips,1.5 legs and ar and best of all nothin off my boobs heehee, but im sure that will change!! i now aim to lose 4lb a week which will calculate just over a stone per month, when you see the results straight away it gives you much more incentive to carry on than other diets you have to wait months to see and feel a difference!!! as silly as it sounds i feel much healthier than i did before as i probably used to eat about 2000kcals a day so its a pefect 10 for me xx

Anonymous

i am on day 6 of the CD feel much better than i did day 3

Anonymous

After a lot of researching diets and finding medical evidence that actually accredits and uses CD for patients - also one I am not going to be wasting hard earned money for it yet to be another money making venture for diet claims targetting vulnerable people out there! I have been on CD for 7 days and have lost 8lbs and 6". Yes it is hard, I have had headaches, tired and getting all the water down has been a struggle (I now use the water flavouring and that has helped greatly) I am lactose intolerant and have had to swap about with the shakes and have now found the combination for me with help from my counsellor, who is on hand for any problem so please use them, they are there to help you every step of the way. I am now just starting to feel more energetic and seeing the results of weight loss and inches so quickly helps to keep the momentum going. This is not a quick fix because if you return to your normal eating patterns it will have been hard work wasted. Identify your problems and weaknesses that increased the weight in the first place and gradually build up to the correct calories needed for you to maintain your weight and to take the healthy options so that it becomes the norm. Only then can you have the occasional treats and be able to maintain. Hard work always pays off in the end and you WILL get the result you desire and feel and look healthy. I really recommend CD as long as you are using it for the right reasons and plan to eat healthily thereafter.

matt

now on my 2nd week - lost 11 1bs on my 1st week - & bmi is now arount 27/28 - hoping i have a couple of weeks left as the urge to eat is growing more & more & im dreaming of pizza mcdonalds curry like you wouldnt believe - rebecca your comments above are crazy - this diet is for anyone whose bmi is high - maybe you should have looked at a diet yourself when you was 2 stone overweight instead of now having to do at 8stone - at the end of the day if im on this diet for 3-4 weeks then that has to better than 4/6 months which i know it takes that long for 8 stone of weight

inx

i have been on the sole source for 13 days now,and feel great. although i had a weak moment today and ate 6 buttered crackers,i am feeling realy bad.does anyone know if i have messed up my weight loss? by the way i have lost 9lbs in one week,would i now have slowed it down.

Peppa

This diet works. As with any other diet, you can't go back to the habits that made you fat in the first place and expect not to regain weight. It's far less dangerous than obesity surgery and if you have a lot to lose, it's great for motivation. It is though, a very hard diet to stick to. The rewards are well worth the hardship though. Recommended.

res

hi i am on day two of the diet. its been ok so far the soups r tasty but drinking so much water i cant handle an going to the loo so often. i have 5st to lose.


 

Leave Feedback

Or, proceed without an account


I like it I don't like it I have a question
 


Already a member?



BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND 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?

PROPRO
  • Cambridge Diet contains all the essential nutrients
  • Has a proven success rate
  • Safe for diabetics and those with high blood pressure
CONCON
  • 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 NUTRITIONDIET 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.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

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.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

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 MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

cambrdge Diet, cambradge diet, cambridge deit, camebridge diet, cambridge liquid diet, cambridgediet.com

Featured Diets and Supplements

18 shake high protein diet shakeology
Whats better than
Cambridge Diet?