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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 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
A liquid diet that may be too calorie restrictive for long-term success.
Top Rated Diets of 2024What 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 2024?
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
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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 2024?
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 18 of 59, 1175 total comments)Mya
+Hey I started the diet last Wednesday, had my first weigh in today which was great i lost 6lbs and an inch of my waiste.I'm on the sole source, it's not that bad as i thought, the shakes are really nice but i really do not like the soups. The first couple of days were difficult, i thought about cheating a couple of times but i stopped and looked at myself in the mirror and thought noooooooo i don't want to be this size anymore. I have 4stones to lose before next year. I'm doing this diet as i am getting married and i want to look stunning so if i continue losing this much each week, i will reach my goal in no time. For all those people who are thinking about doing the diet, i definitely recommend it but you have to really stick to it. My counsellor said the key to lose alot of weight is to drink a lot of water,the more you drink the more you lose. Hopefully next Tuesday i have more good news so i will keep you posted for all those that are interested. Mwah
posted Nov 11th, 2008 6:37 pmchris
+have through day 2 ok finding it hard to drink so much water
posted Nov 11th, 2008 3:24 pmso far so good
sally ann
+Hi everyone!
posted Nov 11th, 2008 3:06 pmi started this diet a 6 weeks ago and dropped 10lbs which was fantastic until i went on holidays........and just did the dog on it, not at all impressed with myself because the weight is creeping up again. iv moved back home with my parents so the idea of "no thanks mum im not eating real food only allowed 3 shakes to eat per day" is not going to go down too well. whats the best alternative on the diet before the xmas rush? everything is up in a heap between being living at home and trying to avoid dinners & breakfasts and then going staying with my boyfriends at weekends...........OH FOR THE SINGLE LIVING ON YOUR OWN LIFE!! help me please!
calli
+Help!!! have just had a row with my 10 yr old who has such an attitude at the moment he has wound me up like a coil and i have wound up so much emotionally ....i raided the biscuit tin......feel really bad now...does anybody else go through similar prblems...could really do with a pick me up.......how d you deal with them while on cd!!!!
posted Nov 11th, 2008 2:56 pmSonia Evans
+Started the diet last week wednesday. Have been feeling very ill with the flu- but trying my hardest to keep on track. This morning I was sick everywhere and had bad tummy pains. I'm also finding it hard to drink so much water- only had 500lms today. I will try to change my hadit drastically. Today has been the only day that I have had soup. I'm on 3 shakes a day. Some people have commended that I look like i've lost weight- actuly i have 6lbs. I now have under 3 stones to go.
posted Nov 11th, 2008 1:52 pmTrying to stay focused and want to make long term changes in my life. This has already started I've been to a party over the weekend and only had a couple of veg, coupled with the fact that I do not touch the junk that is offered in the office- I love body too much to spoil it now!
Nadine
+I have started this diet on and off for a while now!! But I am getting married on May 2nd and I determined to get down by 4 to 5 stones. Do you think this will be possible. I cant wait to see the results but I always feel strong at the beginning and then seem to falter after a couple of days. Then think well I have already failed so why keep trying!! I am really trying to do this not just for my sake but for my daughters as well!!!
posted Nov 10th, 2008 5:22 pmSophieAnne
+hello everyone -
posted Nov 10th, 2008 2:42 pmwell finished my first week!
I lost 6.5 pounds! woop!
So...on wednesday, I found not eating too tough, so i've introduced two shakes a day and a meal consisting of either chicken/fish/vegatables/steak.
So - it proves, that even with the meal - it still does work well.
Am I wrong in saying, that alot of people of this website are aiming too loose over at least 3 stone?
I'm not ashamed to say, currently i'm 5'5 and weigh 12st 3...and looking too shift this two stone. I've been advised that i am still quite small to be on this diet..so i'm doing it in total for 3 weeks and heading back to weight watchers. (where I previously lost 1st 7pounds in 6 months)
I'd really love to hear other peoples weight and their experiences...I find this website very uplifting!!
xo
Helen
+I agree that this diet is not a long term solution but it does help those of us who are morbidly obese to lose weight with out becoming disillusioned and depressed. When you finish your weight loss on the Cambridge diet remember to go up the plans so that you slowly get used to eating in moderation. I would advise anyone who is finishing this diet to look into healthy eating possibly joining a slimming club such as Weight Watchers or Slimming World to make sure the weight doesn't go back on.
posted Nov 9th, 2008 4:35 pmscw
+After my holiday and a good 6 weeks of delaying my commitment to the diet I am now back on tract and am feeling better in myself for it, even though I am getting some of the side effects again; but I have to say they do NOT last too long. MISSY I have read your comments and can understand where you are comming from, but every body is different and the diet works in different ways for each of us, I have been o the plan for a while now and have lost over 2 1/2 stone and have never felt more energised and good about myself, maybe you were unlucky with your illness on the plan. I wish you all the luck on your new diet.
posted Nov 9th, 2008 3:30 pmMonica
+I have been a WeightWatcher for the last 3 years. Lost a total of 5 stone but have put back 2 and cannot for the life of me shift it. This is my first day on CD. I LOVE the chocolate velvet drink as that fixes my sweet tooth, not too keen on the porridge though. I went to sleep last night dreaming of food and woke up with food on my mind. Will stick to this though as I've paid good money for it.
posted Nov 9th, 2008 2:40 pmThe only thing I'm finding hard so far is the drinking of water. i keep going to the toilet :)
Will let you how i get on in the next two weeks.
Simon
+HI all
posted Nov 8th, 2008 1:53 pmIstarted 4 weeks ago and have now lost just under two stone! I did not think this would work but thought i would try it anyway, MY GOD if you dont cheat the results are incredable!
Good luck to all those people who are on it AND DONT CHEAT!
Missy
-Well Have to say this diet isn't as healthy as it makes out it is....You are starving yourself and i've finally seen the light that healthy eating and exercise is the best way to lose weight, this is a LAZY way to diet was on It for 2 weeks lost loads of weight, but ended up with a severe kidney infection, and will never look at this diet again.
posted Nov 8th, 2008 10:51 amI strongly advise people to look at sites were people aren't on the diet to get fairer view of the diet as thats one thing i didn't do before, but have in last few days and it isn't all happy, as of course there gonna give good reviews if they are on the diet... but think how many of the people who write good reviews continue to write reviews (rare they do as probably quit lol) but long term weight loss is better than this crash diet and i agree with dappy mare that if this diet was so good for you, why is it not on the NHS. It's because it's not good for you, you only lose weight cos you're body is starving itself and you are drinking so much water. This Diet was designed for the morbidly obese, cambridge did different versions of it to pray on the vunerable people. I know now I was stupid to ever do this diet and the long term risks to my body ie hair loss, renal failure, infertility is not worth getting to my goal weight a couple of months sooner than I would on a healthy eating and exercise plan.
I know I'll get abuse for this but this is a review post and there needs to be an honest review.
chris
+started today will let you know howit goes
posted Nov 8th, 2008 9:02 amGail
+Its day 3 and I really want my usual friday night takeawy, but I will not cheat! I feel tired, grumpy and bored ... how long will it go on liek this? I have 6 stones to lose so need to make a drastic start before been in the luxury position of choosing healthy food for the long term. I hate been the fattest mum at the school, too tired to play with the kids or go on bike rides. I owe it to them to do something about it, but boy is it hard!!
posted Nov 7th, 2008 3:41 pmjane
+hi - have now been on this diet since may 08 (2 shakes & 1 meal per day), and have lost 4 stone 12lbs, but finding it really hard going at the moment. whereas previously i didnt cheat at all, i now find i am having "bits" that i should really say no to. Still have another 4/5 stone to loose, so dont want to give up yet, but really need some inspiration!!
posted Nov 7th, 2008 9:56 amcalli
+Hey guys.....feeling very unwell at the moment...suffering from effects of my flu jab so have mild flu symptoms....having to take cough medicine and halls menthol lozenges....has anyone else had this problem whilst being on CD.....can you give me any tips on how to cope with it as normally i cosy up with hot ribena!!!!! Don't want to ruin CD altho i am not in ketosis a the moment, thru too much sugar....any help welcome! Having said that, doing ok and hopefully i can move another stone before christmas. Keep going and well done to all....
posted Nov 7th, 2008 2:24 amSophieanne...i also experienced some head rushes when i first started but after day 5 they do start to wear off a little... i think it has something to do with withdrawal from carbs and sugar.....keep going...
shazie
+HI ALL, AM CONTEMPLATING THIS DIET, LIKE MOST OF YOU HAVE TRIED ALL THE OTHERS LOTS OF TIMES. AM A LITTLE AFRAID OF THE HEALTH ISSUES I HAVE READ ABOUT RENAL FAILURE AND HAIR LOSS. BUT YOU ALL ARE DOING SOOO WELL. DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!!! NEED TO DROP 3 STONES WOULD BE GREAT FOR XMAS
posted Nov 6th, 2008 6:43 pmKarinA
+Hello All, I'm on day 4 of this diet and still longing for food. Everyone in the office has nice lunches and I eat my soup. Have not cheated though so feel good about that. Reading all your input makes it easier though so thank you. Need to lose 20kgs but not sure how I am going to turn down all the party invites that invariable come around this time. I still want to socialise so any tips?
posted Nov 6th, 2008 7:41 amSophieAnne
+Hey girls - i'm 20 years old and on my 3rd day of cambridge. I have to say, I am suprised how the shakes have taken away my hunger. but does anyone else feel kind of unwell? my jaw seems to constantly ache, along with alot of head rush...my counsellor says this is normal in the first few days. I'm only doing this for two weeks, then introducing meals with two shakes per day. has anyone endured longer?! I previously lost 21 pounds with weight watchers, but after holiday in august, found it hard to get back on track. now i'm back in the flow with this quick fix and will steadily keep it off with ww!
posted Nov 5th, 2008 7:57 amxo
ruth
+Hi there i,ve been on this diet for 3 weeks now and i have lost 18lbs now i am really loving it cant wait till christmas want to loose another 2 stone by then. I lost 11lbs the first weeek 3 the next and 5lbs this week and 5 inch,s of my waist well pleased.. good luck to everyone else stick to it...
posted Nov 5th, 2008 7:20 am