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How Does
The Dukan Diet Compare?
QUICK FACTS
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BACKGROUND
PRO
CON
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
Learn More
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
The Dukan Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
The Dukan Diet Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
A French diet that has helped many A-list celebrities lose weight.
Top Rated Diets of 2024What is it?
The Dukan Diet is a weight loss diet based on a high protein, 4 staged food and lifestyle changes. There are specific foods allowed, and it’s said that the first 2 to 7 days between 4.4 to 6.6 pounds of weight loss is possible.
The official book has sold over 7 million copies, and an official website also offers support. With repeat use it’s said it can lead to sustained weight loss from 2 to 4 pounds each week. Reducing carbohydrates and fats is a major part of the diet especially in the beginning. In this review you’ll hear customer reviews, whether or not it’s safe and effective for weight loss, and many important considerations. A comprehensive top 10 list of the very best diet plans are available when you click here.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2024?
The Dukan Diet Ingredients and Side Effects
The company does offer some pre-packaged foods, but they’re not necessary. Instead the plan focuses on customers cooking their own foods. The phases of the diet are:
Phase 1 “Attack”: You can eat as much protein as you’d like from 68 different kinds of animal protein.
It’s said this phase will:
“increases the speed of weight loss while flushing out the excess water”
Between 6 to 8 cups of water are needed daily, as well as 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran for fiber to help reduce appetite, and to help with limiting the absorption of calories.
It’s also advised to introduce exercise, preferably in the morning. Also, the length of the diet depends on how much weight one wants to lose. The standards are listed as:
40 pounds or more: Talk to a physician and do it for around 7 days.
Between 15 to 30 pounds: 3-5 days.
10 pounds or less: 1-2 days.
The average time for most people is 2-5 days.
Phase 2 “Cruise”: This phase is expected to promote 1 pound of weight loss every 3 days. One still has to eat the same kinds of protein, but there are small amounts of vegetables from 32 possible options.
This allows for an unlimited amount of 100 different food options, though no starchy or fatty vegetables are allowed such as avocado, potatoes, and corn. Much less restricting options are offered via the top 10 list of the best diet plans.
An additional half-tablespoon of oat bran is also needed each day.
Phase 3 “Consolidation”: This stage helps keep all the weight lost, by introducing 7 different suggested diet tips. Certain foods are allowed back in such as cheese, certain starchy foods, fruit, and bread.
2 “cheat” meals where you can eat foods not advised from the diet are allowed per week, though you do have to limit back to back binges.
For every pound lost, you have to add 5 days of this phase. So for people who have lost 30 pounds, 150 days are needed. You also get to eat the exact same foods allowed from the Attack and Cruise phases.
For the first half of the phase the following are required:
- 1 serving of starchy foods each week.
- 1.5 ounces of hard cheese.
- 2 slices of whole grain bread.
- A serving of fruit.
The second half of the phase requires:
- 2 servings of fruit.
- 2 servings of starchy foods each week.
- 2 slices of whole grain bread.
2 tablespoons of oat bran are required daily alongside around 25 minutes of brisk walking. One day of the week one must go back to the Attack phase.
Phase 4 “Stabilization”: You can eat as you’d like 6 days out of the week, but with making sure the consolidation phase portion recommendations are followed. Once a week similar to the Attack phase, it’s necessary to eat only protein. This is required for the duration of one’s life.
Also, 3 tablespoons of oat bran are required each day. Adding exercise is also necessary. An optional $1 a week coach is offered. You can find the top 10 diet plans by clicking on the link provided here.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.
The Dukan Diet Quality of Ingredients
The diet focuses on suggesting certain foods, so the overall quality depends on which one chooses. Though there are very specific allowances for foods. For the Attack phase one has to eat only protein. This can be potentially unsafe, Web MD confirms:
“experts still do not know what the long-term effects are for your health and weight”
“no evidence that having one all-protein day, along with exercise, is enough to maintain your weight loss”
They also discuss the Dukan Diet by stating:
“doesn’t teach lifelong healthy eating habits.”
“could lead to a nutritionally inadequate diet”
They also add:
“the risks may outweigh the benefits”
This makes the Dukan Diet a potentially unhealthy diet plan which does not guarantee safe weight loss results.
The British Dietic Association which is Britain’s largest organization of nutrition and food experts named this the:
“Top Celebrity Diet to Avoid”
For 2024, 2024, and 2024 it was rated as the absolute worst diet to use. It’s also been in the top 5 list for years now. This is due to health concerns, and a lack of proven safe weight loss. The group also adds:
“Initial weight loss will be fluid”
This is because carbohydrates which are strictly forbidden for most of the diet help to promote water weight. Live Strong mentions that:
“It’s possible to lose as much as 20 pounds of body weight during one week, most of which is water”
Therefore, it’s likely most of the weight lost on this diet is strictly just water.
The creator of the diet Pierre Dukan also lost his medical register to practice as a doctor due to the promotion of his diet. This was seen as a violation of ethics, as he is using his medicine as a way to promote a business. Discover the top 10 diet plans by following the link here.
The Price and Quality of The Dukan Diet
Prices range depending on the kinds of groceries purchased. The website also offers online support for a total of $29.99 each month. This is optional and not required.
The diet is considered a crash diet since it requires extreme changes in diet. The major concern from health groups is that the Dukan Diet isn’t practical, proven safe, or helpful for promoting long lasting dietary advice.
It’s likely that the majority of weight lost will simply be water weight. The list featured here has the top 10 diet plans.
Business of The Dukan Diet
Diet Coaching Inc. owns the rights to the diet, and they can be contacted below:
Phone Number: (855) 385-2648
Email: [email protected]
There isn’t much information about the quality of the coaching. It’s also unknown if the coaching is provided by health professionals, or what kind of support they offer. To see the top 10 diet plans available now, click on the link featured here.
EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.
Customer Opinions of The Dukan Diet
Here are some customer opinions about the Dukan Diet:
“My blood pressure was really low, I had no energy at all and my doctor told me that the diet was very unhealthy”
“my hair began falling out and my fingernails broke in record time”
“This diet just isn’t healthy”
“This diet is so hard to follow”
Many people found it incredibly limiting and impossible to follow the Dukan Diet. Some were concerned as there were common issues such as low energy, headaches, brittle hair and nails, low blood pressure, mood swings, loss of focus, and other problems.
A major concern was that people were extremely bored of the diet, and that it was hard for many to keep eating the same kinds of foods, even when there are 100 options available.
The extreme carbohydrate loss also caused the majority of users to have no energy.
In some cases, people were hospitalized. Find the top 10 diet plans by clicking on the link provided here.
Conclusion - Does The Dukan Diet Work?
When making a decision on a diet plan like the Dukan Diet, it’s important to examine the science behind it, customer reviews, and what’s offered. The required food allowances are considered extreme, as the beginning of the phase allows for only protein. Many users mention it promoted side effects, and that it was bland eating the same kinds of foods repeatedly. Health experts also add that this diet may be potentially unhealthy, and it’s unknown what kinds of long term effects it may promote. Furthermore, there’s a high risk for nutritional deficiencies.
The 2024 top rated diet plan of the year is known as the 18Shake Diet. It combines a metabolism boosting diet pill alongside a nutritionally balanced meal replacement. There are only natural ingredients, and no added colors, stimulants, fillers, or fillers. Many customers and health experts agree it’s a potent diet for sustained weight loss benefits. Users have lost weight by using the supplements offered that does not require extreme or potentially risky crash diet like meal planning. Visit the official website for the 18Shake Diet by clicking on this link.
A full 30 day money back guarantee is offered on both the meal replacement and metabolism booster. All purchases are offered risk free, with no questions asked. Information on the 18Shake Diet can be found by following the link featured here.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Easy to follow
- Cheap Price
- Fast Results
QUICK FACTS
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
- Established: Book published in 2000 after over 20 years of research
- Founder: Dr. Pierre Dukan
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Accessibility: Book and online coaching
- Diet Type: Low-glycemic index, high protein and low-carbohydrate
- Gender: Male and female
- Celebrity Endorsements: Kate Middleton, Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?
BACKGROUND
The Dukan Diet is a French-based weight loss plan that was rumored to be followed by Kate Middleton, model Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Lopez, following their pregnancies.
Created by Dr. Pierre Dukan, the diet is the number one weight loss plan in the UK attracting women of all shapes, sizes and ages to help them lose weight. It is also referred to as the "Je ne sais pas maigrir" ("I don't know how to lose weight") diet plan.
The plan is centered around eating protein-based meals in a four-cycled program. The four cycles are: Attack, Weight Loss, Stabilization and Cruise.
The Dukan Diet is a remastered version of the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF), which is a high-protein diet that was created over three decades ago for obese individuals.
The Dukan Diet has been criticized for being a fad diet as well as a diet that may be dangerous because of its strict guidelines.
You can expect to lose three to five pounds per week while following it.
There is both a Dukan Diet website and book that lays out very clearly what the diet entails including what you can and can't eat, portion sizes and the length of time you should remain in each phase in relation to your weight loss goal.
A new English language edition of Dr. Dukan's book was released on April 19, 2011. It is called The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever and claims to be "The Real Reason The French Stay Thin." There is also a companion cookbook.
PRO
- Will result in weight loss
- Can help to jump-start a sluggish metabolism
- Includes a daily exercise plan
CON
- Strict guidelines are likely to cause weight regain
- May be dangerous for some who are at risk for electrolyte imbalances
- Considered a fad diet
- Likely to produce moodiness and lethargy especially during the first phase
DIET and NUTRITION
The Dukan Diet is comprised of four specific phases that cycle the kinds of protein and carbohydrates you consume. The reason for this cycling is to dip into fat stores for energy and trick the metabolism into an efficient fuel-burning machine.
Few starchy carbohydrates are allowed except for those in the form of low glycemic vegetables like lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, radishes and broccoli. In addition, oat bran should be consumed each day. Its amount varies according to the phase of the diet you are in. Oat bran is also a staple ingredient in many of the Dukan Diet recipes.
Here is a breakdown of the four cycles:
Attack Phase: Only very lean veal, beef, chicken (skinless) and turkey (skinless), fish and shellfish, eggs, fat-free dairy products are allowed. Greek yogurt with 0 percent fat and plain yogurt are considered great choices for dairy. Tons of fresh water is also required. This phase should not be followed for longer than 10 days.
Cruise Phase: Alternating in five-day cycles, you cycle back and forth between eating protein and non-starchy vegetables and eating only protein. No butter or oil can be used and tons of fresh water is required. Follow this phase until your goal weight is attained.
Consolidation Phase: One serving of fruit, two slices of whole wheat bread and 1.5 ounces of cheese is allowed each day. Two times each week, you are allowed to eat two 5-ounce servings of starch, like potatoes, rice or another grain. Protein is also a mainstay. In addition, two times a week, you can eat a cheat meal including wine and dessert. But the day after these cheat meals, you can only consume protein. The Stabilization phase is done for the number of days that equals four days for every half-pound lost.
Stabilization: Normal eating is resumed with one day a week devoted to consuming only protein.
A quality vitamin and mineral supplement must also be taken in order to maintain proper nutrient intake. Spices, moderate amounts of diet soda, artificial sweeteners are allowed. No added sugars, fats, oils or sugary condiments are allowed.
EXERCISE
Walking is the form of exercise that is strongly encouraged within each phase. You are expected to walk 20 to 30 minutes a day, depending upon the phase you are in. The book also includes several strength-training exercises you can also incorporate into your daily routine.
Learn More
CONCLUSION
The Dukan Diet is a high protein weight loss plan that cycles you back and forth between a protein-based diet that allows for certain kinds, quantities and frequencies of carbohydrates.
The diet is a mega hit in the Europe as well as with some celebrities. And while it receives a few gold stars for its clear guidelines and its capacity to help you lose weight, it probably won't result in long-term weight loss and it may even cause health problems or at the very least, moodiness and dreams of bread, particularly during the Attack phase.
Common Misspellings
dukand diet, duken diet, ducan diet, duckan diet, ducking diet, duekan diet
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The Dukan Diet?
User Feedback
(Page 4 of 6, 120 total comments)Teresa
?If you have a blip on phase 2 of the diet, can you restart Dukan Diet at anytime? dukan diet
megann
+I started the diet Jan 29/2012. I have stuck to the restrictions of what I can and can not eat. I have done a minimum of 20 minute walk everyday. I am excited for my body to retrain how to eat. I am in my early 20's and I have about 40 pounds to loose in total. From the unreliable scale I have it says I have lost 3 pounds so far but I will be picking up a new scale this evening. Reading the reviews there are a mix of good and bad and I don't understand why people are bashing it saying it doesnt work and its no good. Not every diet is going to work for everyone. However I appreciate the feedback. If anyone has some recipes they would like to share that would be greatly appreciated!
posted Feb 1st, 2012 6:24 pmkak
-extremely unhealthy. I would never recommend this diet! Losing weight is a fact, but it destroys your organism.
posted Jan 18th, 2012 4:07 pmsuzette
I have started last Friday having yet weighed but feels great
posted Jan 10th, 2012 1:36 amsmilesandsheep
+I'm on Day 12 of the diet and have only recently started the Cruise Phase; however, it seems to be working. I'm down 12 lbs from my starting weight (have close to 50 more lbs to lose, though).
posted Dec 9th, 2011 9:42 pmI think it'd definitely be easy to get very bored with what you're eating day-to-day and discouraged on this diet, so it takes a certain amount of investment; i.e. I don't recommend this whole-heartedly to every one of my friends. I do really like the emphasis this diet has on avoiding processed food, though.
It definitely helps to have support on this diet, so the fact that my mother and I are coordinating, trading recipes, and checking up on one another has certainly helped.
Teegan
?How long would it take for me to lose 7-10kg? I'm hoping for a week? How long would it take for me to lose 7-10kg? I'm hoping for a week, because that's all I have... until I go on my holiday. That being said, how much weight CAN you lose in a week? Also, I have a food question: The Dukan Diet allows OAT bran, so would porridge be ok? With no sugar, that is. Also are sausages allowed? Thanks for everyones answers!
Janine
-On 4th day of Attach - feeling bloated! Only have 5-7 kgs to lose before a holiday, and have lost a kilo, whereas when I stick to strict calorie control I get a flat stomach on Dukan i seem to have lost the weight from my breasts! Not good.
posted Nov 1st, 2011 3:05 pmJanine
I have around 5-7 kgs to lose in hurry before my holiday.
posted Nov 1st, 2011 3:03 pmCurrently on the 4th day of Attack and I'm not struggling to stick to it and have lost over a kilo BUT when I lose through simple strict calorie control I get a flat stomach and feel slimmer within days. On this diet I feel bloated and sluggish and the weight seems to be coming off my breasts - which, as a pear shape is NOT what I want! I think I may go back to simply being strict on my calorie consuption.
Gary
+Hi all, i've been on this diet for 11weeks. Starting wt 15st. Lost 6lbs in 7 days on Attack. Lost 8lbs on 1st week of cruise phase. 1 stone in 2 weeks...i couldnt believe it! Then went 5 days and the scales would not move...i just doubled the walking time to 1 hr for next few days...this did the trick! Reached target weight of 13 stone after only 8wks. Then started 3rd phase of diet...introducing more treats...cheese..wholemeal bread..celebration meals! My weight has kept on dropping!! now 12st 7lbs (11weeks in)!! Trying to eat more food..but as other people have found...i feel fuller sooner..i feel satiated sooner..i have given up alcohol (I was drinking EVERY single day before this diet) now im happy just drinking tea or sugar free pepsi max. I now enjoy food more and feel healthier even though i did go through the periods of feeling fatigued, mood swings and constipation as my body was coming to terms with and having to readjust to the very low carb intake. Plus points now...my cholesterol has lowered...snoring stopped..sleep apnea stopped...blood sugar normal...beer belly gone! eating healthier...energy levels increasing...no more hangovers!.... less chance of developing diabetes(both my parents are type 2 diabetics!)...and i can now touch my toes in the shower! :-D. Dont try the Atkins diet as someone previously suggested! How can you suggest going back to eating fatty foods cooked in fatty greasy oils after doing this diet..numpty! Is that good for your heart??
posted Oct 19th, 2011 3:45 pmJessica
This is working for me thus far, but there doesn't seem to be a mention on how high protein diets affect the kidneys...I could have missed it but I feel that's very important and people need to do their researching regarding this before they embark on such a diet... :)
posted Oct 6th, 2011 3:50 amPhil
Have been doing Dukan for 8 day. 5 on Attack and 3 in cruise. I am 57 with 20 it's to lose. Have lost 3 already with no negatives.
posted Sep 27th, 2011 4:07 pmpelmeni71
The concept has very similar principles to other high protein diets BUT is VERY restrictive and almost impossible to sustain as a permanent lifestyle change. A definite FAD in my opinion. Very unimpressive results. I have used other eating plans where i eat more but lose a LOT more....try Atkins or Body Trim instead, they have more achievable and permanent results whilst introducing a small % of complex carbs at the same time. This means that when you finally achieve your goal weight you can maintain it.
posted Sep 24th, 2011 1:33 ammarianne
I am getting ready to start the Dukan diet tomorrow. I am an avid protein shake drinker. Has anyone used protein shakes (no carbs, no sugars) on this diet?
posted Sep 18th, 2011 9:32 pmkrykyl
Hello all, after reading all the reviews I decided to try the diet. I started Wednedsay and I have already lost 4 pounds. I have a total of 15pounds to lose. Phase 1 is alot harder than I thought. I can't wait to incorporate vegetables into my diet!!! I must admit thought I am not that hungry so the cravings are not there. I just have the idea of seeing my plate with only a pice of chicken on it. :-( I could see myself enjoying Phase 2 as I am a big salad eater. I will keep you guys posted.
posted Sep 16th, 2011 10:03 amMichelle
+I have been on th diet for five and half weeks and have lost twenty-three pounds. I feel better than I have in years.
posted Sep 5th, 2011 7:56 amCorina
I'm on the little heavier side of the scale. I originally weighed in at 303 lbs. but now 223 lbs. I want to applaud ww for getting me down to 260 lbs. Prior to embarking into the dukan diet, I weighed in at 234 lbs. and worked my may down to 223 lbs. I am proud to say that this diet does work if you stick to what it calls for. I believe sacraficing a little and give you a lot. It's only been the second week, and see how much progress I've made so far....it is tough to teach a dog new tricks but it's worth trying. Thank you for this chance to start a new life for me. I am not near my goal of at least 195 lbs. lighter but will hopefully or eventually get there someday.
posted Aug 12th, 2011 5:07 pmThank you!!
Leigh
+I have been on the diet 5 days and have lost 6 pounds. I am starting the cruise phase tomorrow and am so looking foward to those vegetables. I find I am eating less I feel satiated sooner and I really think I can stick with this one.
posted Aug 12th, 2011 1:34 pmjenn
+I've been on the Dukan plan for 2.5 months and I believe it has changed my life like no other diet has (note: I've done Weight Watchers several times, Atkins and once considered myself a South Beach devotee). I've lost ~20 lbs., and I'm currently in the Consolidation phase. I'll start Stabilization in mid-September. Here's what's working for me:
posted Aug 5th, 2011 12:57 pm1. No alcohol. Initially I truly struggled with this, thinking I wouldn't be able to stick to the diet because of the alcohol restriction, especially living in California and loving wine so much. However, once I got through the Attack and Cruise phases, where you cannot touch it, I realized that I don't need it in my life and that drinking it puts me into a domino effect where I lose all inhibitions and eat too much. In fact, when I took a drink for my first "celebration" meal in Stabilization, I had a horrendous hangover following morning, which cured me for life. I'm pleased to say that I can go to parties and not feel pressured or deprived with no drinking. My beverage of choice: Pellegrino with a twist and a splash of Torani sugar-free syrup (they come in lots of flavors). Without alcohol I no longer feel sluggish, I don't have those "lost weekends," and I have a deeper sense of clarity of mind.
2. I appreciate and embrace "celebration" meals--guilt-free. Before Dukan I would feel really, really guilty about "slipping," which invariably put me into a downward spiral of "well I've blown it now--I'll just eat whatever I want all day." Now I plan my weekly menus, including the beloved celebration meal and the pure protein day, and I don't want to overeat. I eat all celebration courses, including dessert, (sans alcohol), and I truly appreciate it. I do however have a tendency to get a sugar hangover the next morning if I have an exceptionally sweet dessert.
3. I know when my body is full, and I push away from the table. I've always been one of those people who will keep eating even after feeling full. I'm not sure how the plan trains your body to know it's sated, I now have no desire to eat until full. I can stop just before that full feeling and have no reservations about leaving food on my plate.
4. I've given up two "healthy" foods and will never turn back--peanut butter and hummus. Formerly a staple in my kitchen and allowed on South Beach, I tended to overindulge in these foods. I no longer eat them, nor do I miss them.
If you decide to do this diet, please follow it to a T. Do not ignore the Consolidation phase's addition of bread, fruit, starches and celebration meals. (on South Beach, I never added bread back into my diet, which I believe was a huge mistake, as your body needs a transition from dieting to maintaining weight loss). Good luck!
lisa
?Behavior change vs quick fixes: What makes the dukan diet work! I don't have a question, but a comment. This diet is like many others that recommend high protein eating. The problem is most people don't carry out the recommendations AFTER the initial weight loss. If you look at the last two phases, it incorporates some behavior modification guidelines that are very credible. As humans, we tend to resort back to our old habits thinking we have lost the weight forever. I lost 35 pounds on a similar self-created diet and have kept it off for 4 yrs. So my advice it to pay even more attention to the guidelines of maintenance and remember, there is no FREE lunch when it comes to weight loss! Thanks for listening!
Anneke
+Hi,
posted Jul 31st, 2011 11:53 amI weighed in at 86 kg (13.5 stone i think). I am 178 cms tall . There I said it.... sorry for the metrics. I started the diet 1 week ago. Have lost 4.6 kgs and am pushing through for a few more days. I have added salad to my meats, just for a mix in flavor. Aim is for 75, wish me luck. I miss the sugar more then anything (although considering it is only a small craving) especially in the evening with my tea, but hey, each gram counts and reaching for the chocolate is not worth it. Watch out doing too much sport, i have found i get pretty flat. Overall i am really ok with this diet plan. Good luck and don't forget to eat.