What is the Dukan Diet Plan

It was dubbed 'French medical solution for permanent weight loss,' Dukan's diet is the best concerning prescriptive foods, and it consists of only 72 variety of food items to choose from in the first phase. Carbohydrates are never allowed! It doesn’t matter how they come, not even if they are disguised as fruits and vegetables.

High-protein by Pierre Dukan with a low-carbohydrate plan was introduced in France first in 2000 with the name “Je ne sais pas maigrir” this means ‘I do not know how to lose weight.' The English had to wait till around 2010 before the Dukan movement will eventually arrive in the UK, and renamed the Dukan diet. 

Despite it being a new introduction and a carb-less block, Dukan was a miraculous revelation to a booming weight loss market, although it utilized a little help from some very famous fans. Kate Middleton, in anticipation of her royal wedding, was reported to have dropped two dress sizes after the introduction of the Dukan method.

Pierre Dukan began his illustrious career as a medical specialist in neurology, but reportedly recommended a high protein diet to a desperate friend eager to lose weight, and consequently switched to nutrition. Having been very impressed by the rapid reduction of his friend. Dukan then initiated the development and research of the diet which would eventually be named after him, making him a household name. So far, more than eight million copies of his book “The Diet Dukan book of diet” has been sold worldwide.

However, this hasn’t happened without controversy; The Dukan diet plan has been criticized by health experts, many believe the diet plan promotes unbalanced eating. More recently, the controversial statements made by Pierre Dukan has also attracted unwanted attention to the Dukan brand.

The Dukan diet plan

The Dukan diet plan looks quite similar to a ketogenic diet, as they both stress the need for consumption of fat and protein, at the expense of carbohydrates. The body becomes glycogen stores of carbohydrates if energy supplies are in excess. What the ketogenic diet does is to forces the human body to switch from burning the carbohydrates as a source of energy to the burning of fat. These most times provide the desired effect of losing weight; however, the high levels of ketones which are left in the body can become quite problematic as it can lead to a health condition known as ketosis.

Here is a summary of the four phases of the Dukan diet plan

1.      The first step of the Dukan diet plan is known as the attack phase

This first phase of the diet plan lasts only between five to ten days, and it promises instant results. People on a diet are given 72 protein-rich foods to make selections from, allowing an absolute absence of carbohydrates.

2.      The second step or stage of the Dukan diet plan is known as the Cruise phase

Although only pure protein days are allowed in the plan, carbs are introduced in bits, this they do by introducing only 28 pre-approved vegetables. Dukanites (as they are called) would eventually remain at this level/stage till they have reached the point where they are satisfied with their "new weight."

3.       The third step of the weight loss plan is called the Consolidation phase

The Previously un-allowed foods, which include dairy products and fruits are finally reintroduced gradually. The dieters are permitted to have two meals known as “celebration meals” per week, this permits them to eat just about anything they want; however, some restrictions are still applied.

4.     The fourth and final phase is known as the Stabilization phase

If you have managed to get to the point where carbohydrates are reintroduced back into your daily life without the issues of you regaining lost weight, you might be allowed to move to the stage 4 and after that unlock the "rules for life."

How long many dieters stay on this diet has a lot to do with their current weight, current fitness, and the desired weight goal.