Dukan Diet

What is the Dukan Diet?

The Dukan Diet is a weight loss plan devised by French Doctor, Pierre Dukan. The diet consists of four phases designed to aid fast weight loss and ultimately, weight maintenance. The diet’s first two phases are primarily based on high protein, low carbohydrate and low-fat food choices to promote fast, consistent weight loss. The final two phases involve re-introduction of foods with an aim to help dieters keep the weight off permanently.

Underlying principles of the Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet consists of four phases. There is a list of 72 to 100 permitted foods allowed during the first two phases. The final two phases are less restrictive, with the gradual re-introduction of other food groups. There is no calorie restriction and you are allowed to eat as much as you like. For every stage of the diet, you are required to eat a limited portion of oat bran daily.

1.Attack Phase – this phase can last up to 10 days depending on how much weight you have to lose. During this phase, dieters can expect to lose the most weight in a short amount of time. This helps with motivation and to continue with the diet.

2.Cruise Phase – this is the longest phase of the diet. The aim is for steady, gradual weight loss of around 2 lbs per week, using a combination of ‘Pure Protein’ days and ‘Protein and Vegetable’ days from the permitted foods list. This phase continues until you have reached your weight loss goal.

3.Consolidation Phase – In this phase, you are entitled to a list of 100 unlimited foods. Small amounts of higher-calorie foods and celebration meals are also allowed. Other food groups are gradually re-introduced including strictly controlled portions of starchy carbohydrates and fruits. You are required to eat only ‘Pure Proteins’ one day per week, which claims to keep your weight stable.

4.Stabilisation Phase – this phase allows you to eat as you wish, as long as you are following three rules for life. This includes:

Walking for 20 minutes every day and avoiding lifts or escalators.

Including one ‘Pure Protein’ day every week.

Including three tablespoons of oat bran every day.

Foods permitted under Dukan diet.

The diet is based around 72 to 100 permitted foods which are high-protein, low-carbohydrate and low-fat. The permitted foods vary depending on what phase of the diet you are on. Foods allowed include:

Lean meat such as chicken, turkey, lean beef, lean ham, veal.

All fish and shellfish including trout, cod, mackerel, salmon, haddock, prawns, mussels, clams and squid.

Fat-free yoghurt and fromage frais (as long as it does not contain fruit), quark, fat- free/low-fat cottage cheese and skimmed milk.

Eggs

Certain vegetables during the Cruise Phase, including celery, peppers, asparagus, mushrooms and broccoli, but other vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and sweetcorn are not allowed.

Method of the Dukan Diet

There are a number of claims as to why the Dukan Diet works.

1.Protein is low in calories. It contains only 4 calories per gram compared to fat, which has 9 calories per gram. Therefore, you are less likely to meet your daily energy needs from foods high in protein and low in fat.

2.Protein makes you feel full and satisfied, which helps you to eat less. A number of studies have provided good evidence that protein has a filling (satiating) effect leading to weight loss.

3.There is convincing evidence showing that protein increases ‘thermogenesis’, which is the production of heat within the body. In other words, it takes more energy to metabolise protein; therefore, you are burning more calories eating protein than you would by eating fat or carbohydrates.

4.By restricting carbohydrates and fats, the diet mimics a state of starvation within the body. This forces the body to use fat stores as a source of energy.

Positive aspects of following the Dukan Diet

Losing a lot of weight in the initial stages of the diet is highly motivating. This encourages people to carry on with the diet.

Having a list of ‘allowed’ and ‘not allowed’ foods makes it easy to follow and understand.

There is no restriction on how much you are allowed to eat, and protein satisfies hunger. This means you are less likely to feel hungry on the diet.

The diet is restrictive, and therefore you are cutting out foods that are high in sugar and fat which are linked to weight gain and obesity.

There are many support groups, coaching and recipes that can be found online and on internet forums, which can help with encouragement and to reduce boredom with the diet.

Drawbacks of following the Dukan Diet

The initial loss of weight is mostly water. When carbohydrates are cut from your diet, the body uses a stored source of energy in the liver and muscle, known as glycogen. Each gram of glycogen is bound to around 3 grams of water, which is lost from the body. This is why you see a considerable decrease in weight on the scales.

Evidence shows that no more weight is lost following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet in the long term compared to other diets providing all food groups. In fact, some studies have shown that eating a diet with carbohydrates, fats and proteins results in a larger percentage of fat loss. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets result in a larger percentage of weight loss coming from water.

The diet is based on higher-priced food items such as meat, fish and oat bran so can be an expensive way to lose weight.

The diet is very restrictive which can lead to boredom and poor compliance to the diet. There can be unpleasant side-effects of the diet, including headache, feeling sick (nausea), constipation, bad breath and extreme tiredness (fatigue).

There has not been enough research to confirm the safety of following the Dukan Diet. Some concerns have been raised that low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets can lead to a build-up of ketones in the body. Ketones are produced if your body is forced to break down fat for energy. This can affect the way important chemicals (hormones) are metabolised, including insulin. This, with the addition of excessive protein consumption could ultimately impair the function of the liver and kidneys. However, more research is needed.

The diet is very limited, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The diet discourages foods that are known to promote good health and well-being, whilst protecting against disease and illness. This includes nuts, seeds, fruit, some vegetables, beans, pulses and whole grains, all of which contain vital vitamins and minerals.

Assurance of the Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet may help you to lose weight quickly, but it does not go without risks. The Dukan Diet is another version of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, which does not seem to result in any more weight loss than a diet that adopts healthy eating principles. In the final stage of the diet, you are advised to eat how you like, which could result in returning to unhealthy eating habits. This usually ends up with weight being regained.

Ultimately, a diet that is as restrictive as the Dukan Diet will result in weight loss simply due to a calorie deficit as a result of limited food choices, boredom and lack of enjoyment from eating. Weight loss can be more effective by making realistic changes that you can stick to for life, meaning that food can be enjoyed and no foods are off the menu.

The Dukan Diet does not educate those following the diet on the healthy eating behaviours that are key for long-term weight loss and overall health. A diet that is well balanced will be more likely to:

Be one you will be able to keep to (sustain).

Be enjoyable.

Provide you with all the nutrients necessary for long-term health.

A well-balanced, healthy diet is based on fruit, vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, and small amounts of unsaturated fats. This is backed up by extensive research and evidence, as opposed to the Dukan Diet which lacks evidence to confirm the long- term safety and effectiveness of the diet.​