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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
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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 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 25 of 59, 1175 total comments)emzymce
hi everyone, im on day 2 on ss and am finding it ok.. feel a little bit tired but nothing i cant handle.. need to loose 3st 3lbs so hopefully wont take me long. my councilor says il have it off by christmas if i stick to it which i am.. i cant wait to get back in to my skinny jeans, its been far to long lol !!! reading all your comments really do help so thankyou everyone.. got my first weigh in on monday so wish me luck xxx
posted Sep 23rd, 2008 9:14 amvicx
Hi guys, had my 3rd weigh in on saturday and have lost 25lbs so far and i am so please with myself, for those of you u in the first couple of days i just want to say stick with it, it does work and it will get easier..... vicx x
posted Sep 22nd, 2008 9:37 amLisaW
Hi Gemma - don't seem to be able to leave my email address - tried twice but has not come up. Here is the receipe for muffins: Any sweet flavoured shake Muffin 1. Put a little hot water into a ramekin dish, or whatever you have - thick mug or similar (about 2 desert spoons to begin with - you can add more later if necessary) 2. Add the pack (whatever flavour you desire) and mix it to a thick paste, so thick you think it?s too thick! 3. Put into the microwave on high for just over a minute - if it looks a bit soggy in the middle put it back for about 10 seconds or so. BE CAREFUL IT DOESN?T BURN Variation: You could also add some of your nut crunch bar (LL) to make a Brownie! You could add a teaspoon of coffee. ENJOY CHEWING!!!!
posted Sep 22nd, 2008 9:37 amhadey22
hi, everyone, it took me two days to read all your comments, and this has motivated me to ring up a counsellor.i will be starting CD next week.Right now, im weighing in at 17.5 stones, and i need to loose about 3-4 by christmas (how possible is this)...Got blown up after my baby last summer, and cant wait to shift the pounds......this forum has been so encouraging......ill keep u guys posted. wish me luck
posted Sep 22nd, 2008 9:37 amHM
Hi Vicky did you do route to management with Lighterlife?
posted Sep 20th, 2008 8:32 amGemma
LisaW - Would you please be able to give me your email address, as would love recipes.
posted Sep 18th, 2008 2:49 pmVICKY
Hello all. I am on day 3 of s/s and feeling pretty ill! I lost 3stone,8 lbs last year with lighter life, over an 11 week period and was OVER THE MOON! went from 14.0-10.6. (im 5'5") But guess what.......couldnt maintain it, beat myself up every time i gained a lb or 2. and within 4 months started cambridge at 11.3 (11lbs heavier)-found a GREAT counciller called Jo Merrett and she really helped me get focused again! just wish I had found her before I did l/life, as could of saved ��������'s and had TRUE support! i managed to get down to 10.3 in about 8 weeks so a stone. I found it sooooooooo hard to do without food all over again-its soooo extreme, why do we put ourselves through this??? we all know why-cos were desperate!!! so as i started again 3 days ago i was 11-7! so not impressed, very dissappointed with my weight gain. my aim yhis time(3rd time lucky) is to get back to about 10-6 and MAINTAIN it! any tips? tried hypno and no luck. this site is great, we all need support dont we! x x x
posted Sep 18th, 2008 2:49 pmLoopylau
Hi All, Just a quickie... can anyone give me some advice please? I have been v. naughty the last 2 evenings and had chips and pizza... my next weigh in date is in6 days time... will i be able to recover from my naughty 2 evenings and lose any weight???? Would really appreciate a reply guys... cuz im feeling so so so guilty! (but not hungry after eating the pass two evenings) Look forward to your reply! Thank you xxx
posted Sep 18th, 2008 2:49 pmkeletubbie
Wow, the stories here are very inspiring. I have to admit, today is my first day on SS. I got my CD shakes from a friend who had to abandon the programme for health reasons. I lost 160lbs on a low cal diet with exercise, but gained backed about 5 stone after having my giant daughter and have failed to shift any of it. I became depressed and ate more, which hasn't helped... I am going on holiday in a week, so don't plan to drink CD while I'm there - I know that's not the attitude, but I intend to scoff sensibly and exercise a lot more. I have been on the programme since 8am, it's midday and I am having erotic day dreams about a bacon cheeseburger!
posted Sep 18th, 2008 2:49 pmjane
hi - have been on cd for four and a half weeks now (2 shakes and a meal at night) and have lost four stone. (this also includes 3 weeks of all inclusive holidays!!). So I am pretty pleased with myself - almost half way there. However, have now noticed quite a lot of hair loss - I know some of you have complained of this befiore - any ideas on how to help? or do I need to take any vitamins?. Any of your advice would really help. Thanks, and bye for now.
posted Sep 18th, 2008 2:49 pmLisaW
Hi On day 6 of cd - not to bad weigh day tomorrow think it will be about 10 - 11lb loss!! wow. - has anyone tried making muffins with the shakes - came across idea on the cd website forum - have a whole load of recipe ideas for the shakes and soups if any one interested email me and i will send to you - made a muffin from the toffe and walnut shake - YUMMMY!! eating was amazing nice and full now!!
posted Sep 16th, 2008 3:06 pmKatie Hughes
2nd day of the CD and its great that im not hungry but just find it dull. im almost depressed that there is LOTS i cant have - always done Weight watchers before and found it soooo much easier. Im hoping the weigh in will bring me good results as its been hard. I hate drinking so much water and find peeing every half an hour a pain, just quite a restrictive diet. Weight always comes off quicker, the bigger you are, so if you arent hugely overweight (i.e need to loose under a stone) then dont expect mega quick results. Think Ill be going back to WW after this week......
posted Sep 16th, 2008 3:06 pmLoopylau
Hi all! Just a quick update on mt 1st weigh in! Ive lost 1 stone exactley!!!! 1 stone in a week! Im sooooo pleased! Its been v. hard work, but defo worth it!!!! Thanks for all your incouragement... only 4 and a half to go! :) xxx
posted Sep 16th, 2008 11:06 amGemmaT
Hi guys, reading this spurred me 2 get onto the diet, im in day 3 now and have lost 10 lbs, i cant believe it, it really has given me motivation, i lost 5 stone 3 years ago but have put it all back on so need to stick to this, this site is really helping me, good luck!!!!!!!!!
posted Sep 15th, 2008 9:00 amAnnie
I lost 7lbs in the first week and although it was really hard the rapid weight loss really has encouraged me to continue. i've done various other diets before but the thing i like about this one is i dont need to think about what i can eat. its great for us comfort eaters as you simply cant over -indulge. Day four was hard coz i felt so hungry and had to increase from three to four CDs a day. I would say you need to rest a lot in week one and avoid food altogether. I really feel i can stick with this diet!
posted Sep 15th, 2008 9:00 amvicky
13/09/08 - 2 weeks in on day 15 an so far i've lost 17 pounds!!! feeling pretty good about myself, have tried to leave a message on here before but for some reason it didnt show up so fingers crossed for this one. I think this site is fab and i'm really glad i can read all your stories and know that there are others going through the same thing...... keep smiling guys x vicx
posted Sep 15th, 2008 9:00 amBabyGhurl
starting today 13/9/2008 will let you know how i get on!
posted Sep 15th, 2008 9:00 amvicx
12.09.09 Hi guys, well i'm on day 13 and on my last (first)weigh in i had lost 15pounds... i was amazed! I have not cheated once and im doing my boyfriends head in as we dont seem to do half the things we used to do like eating out or going out but he's been really supportive. He's started eating foods that he knows i dont like to help me out so i dont feel like i want to grab his plate and scoff the lot and this has really worked wonders for me bcause i know if he was sat next to me eating pizza or chips iwould secretly wishing him dead...... lol. I deffinately know what you guys mean about feeling the cold, the past few nights i have been freezing and have had to unearth my massive winter dressing gown but i'm learning to live with it. At the beginning of this week all i could think about was how long i had left to go and thinking about the time in weeks and days was killing me but all those doubts seem to have passed now and i'm just settling into the soup and shake routine. Another weigh in tonight, i dont feel like i've lost anything and refuse to go on scales during the week but will let you know.... fingers crossed.
posted Sep 15th, 2008 9:00 amcheeky
hi guys hope your all still doin well this week! loopylau thats fantastic keep up the good work your doing brilliant!! it does get easy ish as the weeks move on there are times when you could just eat anything but you just have to stay focussed and keep saying i can do it!! ive put old photos up of me when i use to be 9 stone so i can keeping looking and saying yes iam goig to be that weight again! im still doing the 1000 kals and i love it! i just cant believe i let myself get bigger especially when i know how hard ir is to get off! jackie 68 you doing really good fantastic what you have lost just keep up the good work i havn't tried the poridge il stick to the fruit, toast n egg and shreded wheat. aylin how long did it take you to lose that much weight? how have you managed to keep the weight off? have a great weekend speak soon x
posted Sep 12th, 2008 7:23 amlorraine
hi guys was thinkin do any of you do any exercise was wonderin ,if so are u on ss or 810 thanks
posted Sep 11th, 2008 6:18 pm