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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 30 of 59, 1175 total comments)pinkandblue
day five! and i've messed up. was doing so well and family got chinese takeaway and i don't know why i did it but i ate three mouthfulls. feel so rubbish now. gutted. still gonna go back to shakes but bet i won't lose weight this week now.
posted Aug 4th, 2008 9:51 amHayley
2nd August - Morning all. Well it it weigh in morning again so please keep fingers crossed. I love the fact that my councillor works on a Saturday as it means I won't binge with everyone else on a Friday night and Saturday I am motivated by my loss so I treat myself to a chicken breast so I don't feel deprived. Where I have not been able to do the usual thing I do on payday - get some films, popcorn, ice cream, chocolate, takeaways etc. I decided to treat myself to something totally different so I don's miss out (and I never would have afforded it before as all money went on "treat" food"). I had reflexology. Next month I plan to have a massage. I think it helps to keep me on tract as I still have something to look forward to come payday. Well done on all your successes!
posted Aug 4th, 2008 9:51 amLB
Hi, im on day 4 of the diet. Have found it easy so far. Drinking about 4 litres of water today. Have lost 7lbs so far. Hoping to lose 5 stone. Good luck everyone...keep the pounds coming off!
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:54 pmvikki
Thanks Jackie68, 7lb's! is a massive loss in 5 days, congratulations have not weighed myself yet Im hoping I can stay away from the scales until my weigh in so it is a suprise...hopefully a good one. Think it will spur me on to see a chunk off the scales. I am already feeling better than yesterday because everyone keeps mentioning how well Im doing to even last 3 days haha. My dad just didnt understand how I was surviving without my beloved snacks. But Im focused, Im determined and I know that I can do this and so can all of you. Mind over matter! Thank you all for your welcomes, I will continue to post and update on how I am doing. I dont feel as tired today already, havent had any horrible hunger pangs or anything. Not overly craving anything, although the weekend is coming up which is going to be the big test. sal I hope you lose all three and a half stone and use the money to treat yourself to something really nice. Keep at it! (Im feeling all motivated today!)
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:54 pmsal
Hello, went to see a my consellor last night is really nice, I am looking forward to starting on Monday as we have 2 party invites this weekend, I have tried every other diet and never seem to stick to it, I really want this to work, my mum is giving me �100 per stone i lose as long as i keep it off, if i put it back on I have to pay it back, even more insentive than I already have wish me luck, I have 3 1/2 stone to lose
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amjackie68
1st aug, hi vikki just a quick note 2 say try and keep it up its hard 4 the first 3 days i am on day 5 now and feel so much better i 2 felt tired at the start but ok now,as for the soups i dont like them either so i just havin shakes, there is some great tips on ere so keep lookin in if u can, wot i do is have my shake 4 breakfast and dinner but at teatime i half it and save some for bedtime and make a hot drink the vanilla is lovely with a teaspoon of coffee in it its just like milky coffee!! i dont no if every1 else is like me but i keep weighing myself everyday lol cant help it today on day 5 i av lost 7lb so far, i go away in 6 weeks and i no i am goin 2 stick 2 it, like you vikki i av got alot 2 lose about 6 stone but try and keep at it best of luck 2 every1 x
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amKelly
Hi Vikki... congratulations on starting CD... it is worth the struggle.. i have been on it since april with a month break (i had a holiday) and so far i have lost 3 and a half stone... i have bad days and good days but the results are worth it. i was 19 8lb i am now 16 2lb
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amTracey
Hi All not posted anything for awhile I've done 6 wks now and have lost 27 lbs so I'm really pleased, have about 1 1/2 stone to go. Have been eating some days doing the ss plus and having the 200 cal meal which has been nice. Going away next weekend with my husband and no kids so will be eating, then on holiday a week later so will have to do my best and try to be active as we are staying at a respite house so will not be in control of what is being cooked for breakfast lunch and tea but when I come back I will go back onto ss without any meals. Welcome to all the newbies and to everyone else well done for the fantastic weight loses keep up the good work it will be worth it. I feel 10 times better now and its great when people notice and comment it makes it all worth while. Take care x x
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amalbong
hi everyone- 1st of aug, will be startin diet next month- good to hear evryone's comments.vikki- please keep postin so i can see how u are gettin on. i have 6 st to lose and i'm totally sick of bein overweight, just need to get it off! i have a terrible relationship with food so doin this diet will be a relief- not to think about food or have to eat it for a while! my counsellor's on her hols so not startin for another 5 weeks but wil post again when i've started x
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amLizzie
Hi All, just wanted to check in after my first weigh in yesterday. I've lost 7lbs in 6 days so really chuffed and I think that I can already start to see it in my face. That's a fifth of what I want to lose so it has really given me the motivation to see this diet through! I did cave last night and have a slice of sandwich ham but it totally satisfied the cravings I've been having and have checked this morning and I'm still in ketosis so I hope no harm done. Feel so much better today having been weighed... lets hope I can keep this feeling and not start to get demotivated again!! x
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amJan
Hi everyone, did Cambridge last year and lost 3 stone before giving up and have now put two and a half back on - my own fault completely - eating five cakes and three bars of chocolate is serious binge eating so can't blame anyone but myself!!! Am starting again tomorrow. Have made appointment with my wonderful counsellor and am so determined to do it this time. Think this column will help. My sister did it after I'd suggested it and she's lost and kept off 5 and a half stone; she's now pregnant and doing really well managing her eating. I'm 17 and a half stone and would like to be 11 and a half, so six to lose. At my heaviest I hit 21 stone but lost about three just cutting back on eating junk. Anyway, good luck everyone! x
posted Aug 1st, 2008 8:51 amvikki
Hello and greetings fellow dieters, am on day 2, feeling okay so far but I have to admit that I dont like the self mix shakes and soups very much. Am soldiering on. Just hope that this works. Found myself in bed early last night as was really really tired. Congrats to all people who have lost...please keep me updated! Best of luck to you all. Im 19 stones looking to lose 8 stones.
posted Jul 31st, 2008 1:01 pmjackie68
31st july,hi everyone,well i am on my fourth day now done my stick and i am in ketosis which is good i weighed myself and so far lost 6lb WOW in 4 days cant wait till i get my first week weigh in, i must admit that the more i hear about ppl having hairloss it scares me! hope everyone else is doin ok and plz keep postin its a great help thanx everyone jackie68 x
posted Jul 31st, 2008 1:01 pmtabithaduke
Hi everyone, i`ve been on ss for just over a week now , when I weighed last monday(28 july) I had lost a stone!! I`m really chuffed, it was hard for the first four days, I felt hungry and tired but I stuck to my guns and now after losing so much in such a short time it has spurred me on. Going into ketosis is fine i`m no longer hungry and i`ve got a really supportive partner who eats out instead of making me smell the food bless. Well I still have about three more stone to go then i`ll shop for my wedding dress !!
posted Jul 30th, 2008 9:47 amtabithaduke
Hi EVERYONE, I have been on ss for just over a week now and at my first weigh in last mon (28 july) I had lost a stone!! It was hard the first four days,
posted Jul 30th, 2008 9:47 amKelly
hi everyone i have been doing this diet since april but i did have a break for a month and have found that my hair seems to be falling out in handfuls i do have long hair and im wondering if it looks worse than it is... has anyone else experienced this and does anyone know of any extra vitamins that can be taken?
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pmlubyloo
Had week 7 weigh in lost 2.5lbs im now just1.5lbs of losing 2 stone.Now on step 3 1000cal enjoying this 1 looking 4ward 2 a nice tea in the evening.My councellor told me my weight loss wud prod slow right down now and will only lose about 1lb per week.Only wanting to lose about another 3lb so can cope with that.Hope you are all doing well keep it up it realy does work!!!!!
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pmHayley
29th July - Hi everyone! Well I had my first weigh in on Saturday and lost 8 pound which isn't too bad! Quite pleased with myself although on Saturday I did eat a chicken breast to reward myself whilst at a BBQ. I rang my councillor to "confess" and she laughed at me for being so worried and told me it will be fine! Wasn't expecting that one! I'm hoping to lose about 5 pound this week so keep your fingers crossed for me - so am now in Week 2. If I am honest I never thought I was strong enough to stick it this long - most people gave me 3 days so it feels nice to prove everyone including myself wrong!
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pmdonna
hi all not been on here b4 its nice to read how everyones doing , ive been on ss for 2wks now an lost 6 lbs wk 1 and 6lbs this wk so im over the moon :) but found this wk been feeling hungry and wanting a kfc when the adverts on telly lol ,but havent gave in found drinking more water helps ! ive not had any hot drinks as i carnt stand them without milk but oh well what do we do to our selfs lol goodluck to all those weighing in this wk xxxxxxxx
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pmpinkandblue
day one! so far so good! really hope i can stick 2 this. desperate to get rid of my two stone baby weight. tried other diets but i always give up. so need lots of willpower!!
posted Jul 29th, 2008 10:34 pm