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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 5 of 6, 120 total comments)Jo f
+Guys,
posted Jul 19th, 2011 11:06 amI have started the diet yesterday morning and currently weigh three pounds lighter, I am now 12 st 2 and my target weight is 10 stone. I wish people would write what they weigh as if you have lost 10pounds on the diet but only weighed 10stone then you don't have as much weight to lose as other people and therefore the weight comes off quicker and easier the bigger you are, please let us know what you weigh initially so we have a better understanding of your weight loss :) ps will keep you posted as to how I get on!
hazel
If this diet is so oblivious to health concerns, please explain how the eskimo/ inuit tribes have been living on high protein diets their entire lives. They have never lived on vegetable and grain diets for thousands of years. Please explain how that is possible that entire populations can survive without gallstones and kidney failure that the "experts" claim this diet will cause.
posted Jul 2nd, 2011 12:14 pmGail McDowall
+excellent diet, I always felt full so didn't crave sweet or fatty things - 1kg off my goal weight - yeah!
posted Jun 10th, 2011 5:29 amRachel Holt
?Why have i not lost my weight, having been on the diet for 8 weeks, i have only lost 1 kilo, (need 2 kilos) Whilst i am enjoying the diet, i have only got 3 kilos to lose, and have so far only lost 1 kilo, i have been on the diet for 2 months now, although i am still having the occasional alcoholic drink on the weekend. It is very frustrating, i run everyday and do gym 5 days a week.
NativeAtlantaGirl
+I have been on Dukan for about 6wks. I've lost approximately 20lbs but have been unable to exercise due to injury & subsequent surgery.
posted Jun 3rd, 2011 5:53 pmLots of people protest the Dukan diet is unhealthy, but it is a matter of what foods you choose. I don't eat processed foods, nitrates, artificial sweetners, etc. I use Stevia for sweetening things. I do use olive oil (sparingly) despite Dr Dukan's admonishment.
I have been a long-time 'healthy Atkins' dieter but have been stalled for a long time. Making the adjustment has been pretty easy. I am a 'foodie' and have been to come up with many delicious & creative meals. I don't feel deprived.
Non-fat Greek yogurt has been a staple. Very easy 'go to' for me.
My challenge is lack of appetite. I am just not hungry. I log everything I eat/drink on sparkpeople. Some days I haven't even had 400 calories & I was not hungry/weak.
To battle constipation, I drink 100oz water or decaf organic iced tea. I may take a natural supplement to deal with the 'back-up'. Problem solved.
I didn't have any sort of cravings/headaches - but. Have been eating low carb for years. I have Lupus, so I get fatigued from time to time. I cannot say I have experienced more fatigue than normal.
I found the book itself hard to follow. There should have been a better ghost-writer involved. Dr Dukan's on site & boards at time contradict what is in the book.
It has worked for me (from a weight loss perspective), but no matter which diet you choose, you have to make it work for you and adapt long-term. I still have a ways to go before I move toward Consolidation - one cannot go bck to eating like they used to when reaching their goal.
Marie
+It is very effective, but I have changed the 'protein-only' days to include lettuce and/or spinach or kale, as they have hardly any carbs anyway and add a lot of fibre. They have not impacted the weight loss at all.
posted Jun 1st, 2011 2:11 pmI decided to track what I ate on livestrong.com, and discovered that I was eating less than 800 calories per day - it is hard to eat a lot of calories on a lean-protein, low-fat diet! I was not hungry after the 2nd day of the attack phase.
zoe
+On Day 7 of Attack Phase and have already lost 5 lbs.
posted May 29th, 2011 2:35 amJM
Like many others here, I didn't have a lot of weight to lose (12 lbs) but had been unsuccessful despite being a pretty healthy person. The idea of reaching my goal in 1.5 months seemed great! In 3 days of attack I lost 4.4 lbs, and I am now in my 17th day with 7.2 lbs lost, which still puts me on track to lose the rest in another 3.5 weeks. I have adjusted to the diet pretty well, and am looking forward to the consolidation phase, which for me will be back to normal life.
posted May 26th, 2011 12:53 pmI think people always have something to say because they want to find reasons to not try a diet, and try to justify the reasons why they are overweight. This diet is not like Atkins which promoted eating fats! And for those that criticize because you can't eat fruits, I would guess no one actually got fat by eating fruits, so it's time to make a sacrifice and try something that works! And this one does...
Jackie
This is the best diet I've tried so far ;no counting calories, never hungry,I lost 8 pounds so far in three weeks; carbs are usually my weakness but after the first few days I did not really have cravings for carbs
posted May 19th, 2011 9:33 pmMarion
Amazing! So easy to do. Felt more energetic from the first day. I am on day 11 and very optimistic that I can reach my goal weight within a month.
posted May 13th, 2011 8:59 amsally
+can u have spelemda
posted May 10th, 2011 6:52 pmAmy
If you have high cholestrol you can follow the diet still but you just use egg whites instead of the whole egg. In the book it recommends that if you high cholestorel that you only have between 3 and 4 egg yolks a week. This diet is really good as I'm not feeling hungry on it at all, but as I don't eat fish my choice of Pure Protien foods is fairly limited, I'd recommend it but you need to have good willpower to suceed and be really organised about haing all the foods you need and plan you daily menu that has helped me enormously, Good Luck :)
posted May 7th, 2011 11:57 amMolly9094
The diet sounds wonderful but would like to hear from people that worry about high cholesterol. Mine has always been in the 500 range and is finally down to 222 with Crestor. I love my fruits & yogurt, veggies, beans, oatmeal too. I eat meat and fish but in very small portions. I love the idea of the diet but don't want my cholesterol to skyrocket or lose nutrition. Any advice would be very welcome. If allowed, would you also email me at [email protected] thank you all.. good luck :)
posted May 3rd, 2011 11:49 ambrian
I've been on the diet for 4 day and have lost 8 pound , I love the ( U Can Diet !!!! )
posted Apr 29th, 2011 11:18 am
-Emilie Hassan
I hated that diet...
posted Apr 28th, 2011 2:36 pmIn fact I lost a lot of pounds (they came back with friends really fast lately) but I lost also my gallbladder. Too much cholesterol, bad breath, I looked so bad... 10 pounds lost, 20 found 6 months later after surgery.
Sarah
A very important note on this diet: You aren't supposed to be on it forever. It's designed to make you lose a lot of weight very fast and then keep it off. Eating only protein is not a normal diet and never will be -- this is what makes it different than the Atkins diet, which goes out of its way to villainify carbs. Carbs are not bad, nor are they the enemy.
posted Apr 10th, 2011 6:50 amWhat this diet does is force your body into starvation mode while at the same time keeps your muscles from being attacked like they normally would if you were in total starvation. I've been following it and so far I've lost quite a bit of weight in attack mode (7 lbs in 6 days). I expected that and am delighted. However I didn't expect to be utterly sick of meat this quickly, lol.
Sandra
I am American, early 40s female who�??d like to lose 20 lbs. I am 5�??4�?� and would like to get back to size 6.
posted Apr 1st, 2011 3:00 pmWhile I never had a weight problem up until about 5 years ago, a combo of lowered metabolism with age along with increasing habitual laziness (only partially due to herniated disc), I�??ve gradually worked my way up 20 lbs.
Over the last couple of years I�??ve tried Weight Watchers twice along with a few fad diets. With WW, I managed to lose 5 lbs only each time before hitting plateau and eventually losing patience only to gain it back.
Started Dukan 11 days ago and have followed the 5/5 plan to a T (except I admit for the 20 mins a day of walking, which I have been intermittent with). My typically protein days are: morning- coffee with skim milk +-fat free cottage cheese, lunch-chicken or turkey, afternoon snack-lite laughing cow cheese and a slice or two of deli turkey, dinner- fish, chicken, turkey or ground turkey (I had lean red meat twice), evening snack- fat free plain yogurt (I add a dash of vanilla extract and 1 splenda). I drink 2-3 liters of water/day and try to include some mineral water. On protein/veg days I eat similarly, but with a bit less protein portion and add lots of veggies (no starchy, only those on the list). The only condiments I�??ve used are Dijon mustard, vinegar, dash of lemon/lime juice and spices. If I have a question as to whether something is acceptable (sugar free jello for example), I do without. I have not strayed once.
I went crazy missing carbs the first day �?? totally like withdrawal from a drug. Second day was not so bad, and I can honestly say it�??s gotten easier with each passing day. Toughest time I�??ve had so far was resisting the strawberry margaritas at a friend�??s dinner party last weekend!
Results:
First week I lost 5 lbs, yay! I am not a big person, and I�??ve never lost so much weight so quickly!
Over the last 6 days I�??ve lost 2 more lbs, bringing me below the �??plateau�?� weight I was able to reach with WW. No disrespect to WW as I know it�??s a healthy route and works for many. I am impatient, and I think that�??s why I�??m having some luck with Dukan. The switching it up every 5 days makes me feel as though I�??m starting something new, and actually helps me to continue. The quick weight loss is motivating. I�??m not a fan of protein weeks, not only because I miss the variety of other foods, but also because I know how dangerous those toxins can be to your kidneys/liver without PLENTY of water. However, I am cognizant of hydrating, and understand that with Dukan pp is temporary. Once I reach goal, I see no problem living with this after incorporating fruit and a couple of pieces of whole wheat bread, and in fact, that combination of foods is actually a great for long term.
Morgan
So I started the diet on 2/23/11 and in 5 days I have lost about 9 lbs. I still feel great and am making sure to eat just the foods that are allowed in the attack phase. I am starting the cruise phase on Monday. I really don't feel like it's too hard to follow the rules of the diet, and I honestly don't think that it will be that hard to follow I mean eat almost anything you want 6 days a week and then just protein on Thursdays!!I have 35 lbs to lose total and can't wait until its all gone! Get the book
posted Mar 27th, 2011 1:37 amShelia
I am in the US and we can't get the book until the middle of April. Can anyone give me the directions for the first two phases and how do you eat the oat bran?
posted Mar 26th, 2011 6:37 pmsara
+Guys, i think being obese is a bigger risk that an unbalanced diet for a year. I am just doing it to lost 7 pounds so its only 2 months for me. but seriously people go o and on about not being able to eat this and that but your only restricted for a certain amount of time. then you get the celebration meals and then at the end, you eat whatever you want in moderation of course with the one day a week protein only..
posted Mar 23rd, 2011 9:34 amI think being grossly overweight is faaar worse for your health than an unbalanced diet.... obese people are always making excuses not to lose weight... well.. sorry but your life span is a whole lot shorter! so lose the weight or suffer the consequences.
Good luck.
p.s. the recipes in the dukan books are GREAT!!