Dukan Diet

Dukan Diet

April 20, 2011



Via latinoreview.com



Jennifer Lopez, Kate Middleton, Giselle Bundchen, and Penelope Cruz are followers of the Dukan Diet.  This diet was created by Frenchman Dr. Pierre Dukan, who was an MD and nutritionist.  Despite that, other nutritionists say there is not enough nutritional value to the diet, however, you can lose weight.

Everydiet.org has a nice breakdown of the program as well as some pros and cons to the diet which is as follows:

The Dukan Diet is based around eating high-protein foods while severely limiting all carbohydrates including fruits, starchy vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Unlike the Atkins diet the emphasis is on sources of protein that are low in fat such as fish, poultry and reduced-fat dairy products.

Phase 1: The Attack Phase

The first phase of Dukan is followed for one to ten days depending on how much weight you have to lose. Dieters are told they can expect to lose between seven and ten pounds within the first five days.

Dieters are warned that they may experience bad breath and a dry mouth during this phase, which may be alleviated to some degree by drinking more water.

Phase 2: The Cruise Phase

In this phase of the Dukan Diet, days of protein only are alternated with days of protein and vegetables. The types of vegetables allowed in this phase are limited to those that do not contain starch such as lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber, asparagus and tomato. Vegetables can be consumed raw, steamed, or in soups and stews.

Phase 3: The Consolidation Phase

This is the maintenance phase and commences once you have achieved your goal weight. You will continue to base your diet on protein and vegetables but are also allowed one portion of fruit as well as two slices of whole-grain bread each day. In addition you are permitted one extra serving of carbs per week, which may include foods like pasta or rice.

Phase 4: The Stabilization Phase

This is the ongoing lifestyle phase of the Dukan Diet. In this phase you are instructed to go back to eating whatever you like while continuing to use the rules of the Consolidation Phase as a guideline. One day of the week dieters are instructed to eat only protein.

Pros

·        Fast results in the initial stages can help to boost motivation.

·        Does not require calorie counting.

·        Includes vegetarian options.

·        Includes a meal plan and recipes.

·        In the final phases of Dukan the ‘celebration meals’ can help psychologically to improve adherence to the diet.

Cons

·        Highly restrictive and requires elimination of many healthy foods including fruit, grains, legumes and nuts.

·        Some dieters do not respond well to low carbohydrate diets like Dukan and can experience fatigue and mood swings.

·        Many dieters experience constipation, headaches and bad breath on high-protein diets.

·        Not suitable for those with a history of gout, high cholesterol, kidney disease or eating disorders.

·        Dietary boredom is highly likely due to the limited food choices, especially for those who don’t enjoy eating animal products.

·        Encourages consumption of artificial sweeteners and diet soda.

There’s more detail, like the food choices, on Everydiet.  Would you be willing to try this diet?