Dukan Diet

The Dukan diet is one of the most famous high-protein weight-loss diets in the world. It takes place in 3 main phases and allows a spectacular weight loss from the first days of the diet. Unfortunately, in most cases, weight loss does not last long. Moreover, this method does not seem to be harmless in the long term.

Features of the Dukan diet:

High protein diet
Composed of three main phases and one-lifetime stabilization phase
72 sources of protein are to be consumed at will
Duration of the diet according to the number of kilos to lose
Very low fiber and nutrient diet

The Main Principles of the Regime

We owe this diet to the French nutritionist, Pierre Dukan. The Dukan method was first drafted in the 1970s, so it has been available for 40 years. In 2000, Mr. Dukan published a book “I don’t know how to lose weight” in which the principles of his diet appeared for the first time. The Dukan method is a derivative of high protein diets. It has been followed in France by more than ten million people. The method is now being disseminated around the world. The Dukan method books have been translated into 15 languages and distributed in 30 countries.

How Does the Dukan Diet Work?

The Dukan diet is divided into 3 main phases to initiate and consolidate weight loss:

Attack phase: consists of consuming only proteins to initiate weight loss very quickly. This very restrictive phase lasts 5 days and produces effects similar to those of fasting.
Cruise phase: during this phase, there is an alternation between pure protein days and days when certain green vegetables are allowed in addition to protein. This phase lasts 1 week per kilo to lose. If you want to lose 15 kilos, you will have to hold out for 4 months to hope to achieve this objective. This phase remains quite restrictive since it does not allow any deviation. Starchy foods, fats, fruits or desserts are prohibited.
Consolidation phase: during the consolidation phase, some food categories are reintroduced daily. It is recommended to include one fruit per day, a small portion of starchy foods and a little cheese. This phase should last 10 days per kilo lost. If you have lost 15 kilos, you will need to keep 150 days of consolidation.

In addition to these 3 periods, there is also a stabilization phase that must be continued for life. It includes one day of pure protein per week in parallel with a diet that remains restrictive.

How Does This Diet Make You Lose Weight?

The Dukan diet is very low-calorie and highly limited in terms of the food categories represented. This is why weight loss is fast and dramatic in the first two phases. The almost exclusive consumption of protein produces an effect similar to that of fasting and pushes the body to draw on its reserves quickly.

How Long Does the Dukan Diet Last?

The duration of the diet depends entirely on the weight to be lost:

Phase	Duration
Attack	5 days
Cruise	1 week per kilo to lose
Consolidation	10 days per kilo lost
Stabilization	Lifetime

The 72 Protein Foods

The Dukan diet consists of 100 foods authorized at will, including 72 protein sources. In addition to these, there are a few vegetables in the cruise phase and a greater variety of foods in the consolidation phase.

Lean meat
Poultry
Fishes
Seafood products
Vegetable proteins
Milk products with 0% fat content
Eggs
Green vegetables
Konjac
Goji berries
Rapeseed and olive oils

List of Prohibited Food

This diet is more or less restrictive depending on the feeding phases. In general, it is recommended to limit the following foods:

Fruits
Oilseeds
Oils and fats other than rapeseed and olive oil
Milk products other than 0%.
Candy candies
Biscuits
Viennese pastries
Fries
Industrial dishes
Starchy people

Dukan Diet and Recipe Program

	Attack Phase Menu	Cruise Phase Menu	Consolidation Phase Menu
Breakfast	Unsweetened coffee or tea 1 to 2 yoghurt 0% 0% 1 egg	Unsweetened coffee or tea 1 to 2 yoghurt 0% 0% 1 egg	Unsweetened coffee or tea Yogurt 0%. Oat bran cake Hard Egg
Lunch	Hard-boiled egg Chicken breast White cheese and herb sauce Fruit yogurt 0%	Cucumber salad Mushroom omelet Yogurt 0%	Fish papillote with vegetables and lemon 1 slice of wholemeal bread 40 g cheese
Snack	2 slices of turkey breast	2 slices of turkey breast	1 slice of turkey breast Fruit (except banana, grape, and cherry)
Dinner	White Fish Yogurt 0%	Zucchini cream and cheese Chicken White cheese	0% vegetable wok with shrimps and wild rice (3 tablespoons) Yogurt 0%.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The Positive Points of the Dukan Diet

Quick weight loss at the start
Sense of satiety
Requires little cooking

The Negative Points of the High-Protein Diet

Limited food variety in the early stages
Difficult to monitor in the long term
Risk of significant deficiencies
Very frequent yo-yo effect
Unpleasant side effects: fatigue, constipation, bad breath, etc.

Recommendations and Precautions

Are There Any Risks?

The Dukan diet involves risks that are important to consider before undertaking this method:

This diet can induce the yo-yo effect because of the rapid weight loss during the first two weeks
It is very restrictive and can lead to nutritional deficiencies. It is low in micronutrients, especially in the first two phases. Although Mr. Dukan recommends taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, it does not compensate for the lack of nutrients found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which have many protective effects on health
People on this diet may experience some side effects such as headaches, menstrual cycle disorders, kidney fatigue (so drink plenty of fluids), orthostatic hypotension due to low sodium intake, night cramps and muscle weakness due to lack of potassium. Also, because of the absence of carbohydrates in the first phase, there is a production of ketone bodies that can cause bad breath, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, and insomnia
Phase 1 being very low in fiber, this increases the risk of constipation. Adding oat bran, as recommended, may not be enough

Is This Diet for You?

People on this diet must be very creative to compose interesting meals, as the variety of foods in this diet is low. You may also be inclined to isolate yourself to eat, which is generally not desirable. In addition, those who follow this diet can make their lives easier by purchasing food products labeled “Dukan diet”, such as oat bran cookies and sugar-free ketchup. Whatever the objective, this type of diet is not recommended.

Is This Diet Compatible with Training and Sport?

Mr. Dukan almost never encourages the practice of sports, yet it is essential. On the one hand to avoid muscle loss due to rapid weight loss and on the other hand to consolidate the results obtained by the diet. It is recommended to have a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

How to Not Gain Weight?

Despite a lifetime stabilization phase, the Dukan diet leads to a recovery of lost weight in less than 5 years and in 80 to 95% of cases. Weight loss is often far too sudden to be physiologically sustainable.

Our Opinions of Dukan Diet

The dangerousness of this regime has, for several years, been highlighted by many health professionals. The almost exclusive consumption of protein is dangerous for the health of the kidneys and the body in general. The absence of fibers and micronutrients can also lead to deficiencies and sometimes have very serious consequences (intestinal obstruction, anemia, etc.). At no time does this method promote good eating habits: listening to food sensations, physical activity, healthy cooking, etc. Finally, this diet leads to a return to lost weight almost systematically. It is not uncommon to gain even more weight than those lost during the long months of the diet. I strongly advise against the Dukan diet for people who want to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.