Dukan Diet
Encyclopedia
The Dukan Diet is one of the most popular diet
plans in France. It is a protein
-based diet designed by French nutritionist
and dietician, Pierre Dukan. Although Dukan has been promoting his diet for over 30 years, its popularity has grown since 2000. His book The Dukan Diet is a best seller in France
while selling more than 10 million copies globally. The book has since been translated into 14 languages and published in 32 countries. The Dukan Diet was released in the UK in May 2010, and in the US in April 2011.
As with some other diet plans, Dukan has launched an online coaching service, as well as online shops.
in Paris
when he was first confronted with a case of obesity
. At the time, being overweight or obese was thought to be best treated by low calorie and small sized meals. Dukan thought of an alternative way to prevent patients from regaining their lost weight. He designed a new approach in 4 phases, including stabilisation and consolidation. After 20 odd years of research Pierre Dukan published his findings in 2000 in his book Je ne sais pas maigrir (I don't know how to get slimmer) which became a best seller.
The diet became a best seller after Carole Middleton introduced her daughter Kate (now The Duchess of Cambridge) to the diet before her wedding to Prince William. Kate lost two dress sizes.
In July 2011 a French court ruled against Dukan in his attempt to sue rival nutritionist Jean-Michel Cohen for libel, after Cohen had criticised his method in the press. .
Cohen is considered as the main reference in nutrition and earned 3000 Euro.
The attack phase is designed to enable dieters to rapidly lose 2 kilogram in 2–7 days by kick-starting their metabolism
. Dieters allowed to eat as much as they want of 72 protein
-rich foods.
The cruise phase is designed to allow dieters to more gradually achieve the weight they aim for by eating protein-rich foods with the addition of 28 specific vegetables. The length of this phase is usually calculated as 1 kilograms (2.2 lb) of weight loss per week, but this is based on specific personal conditions. Tolerated foods are also allowed as per the programme, but any weight gain will ban some of these.
The consolidation phase is designed to help in preventing any future massive weight gain. During this phase, fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods are reintroduced into a normal diet, leaving two celebratory meals a week as directed by the plan.
Finally, in the stabilization phase, dieters can essentially eat whatever they want without gaining weight by following a few rules: protein
day once a week, eating oat bran every day and making a commitment to "take the stairs". According to Dukan, dieters shall follow this last phase for the rest their lives to avoid regaining weight.
Radio 4
broadcast a 10 minute 3 sided interview/discussion, conducted by Jenni Murray
, and including Dr Dukan on Woman's Hour
, examining and evaluating the diet's strategy.
The French magazine L'Express
list of the top 20 non-fiction books for the week of December 27, 2010 ranked La Méthode Dukan Illustrée in 19th place.
Channel Four included the Dukan Diet in the program Will my crash diet kill me? on 26 January 2011.
The diet was not represented correctly according to many viewers who left comments on Channel 4's website.
Diet
Diet, in relation to food, might mean:*Diet , the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group*Dieting, the deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake*Diet food, foods that aid in dieting...
plans in France. It is a protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
-based diet designed by French nutritionist
Nutritionist
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
and dietician, Pierre Dukan. Although Dukan has been promoting his diet for over 30 years, its popularity has grown since 2000. His book The Dukan Diet is a best seller in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
while selling more than 10 million copies globally. The book has since been translated into 14 languages and published in 32 countries. The Dukan Diet was released in the UK in May 2010, and in the US in April 2011.
As with some other diet plans, Dukan has launched an online coaching service, as well as online shops.
History
In 1975, Pierre Dukan was a general practitionerGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
when he was first confronted with a case of obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. At the time, being overweight or obese was thought to be best treated by low calorie and small sized meals. Dukan thought of an alternative way to prevent patients from regaining their lost weight. He designed a new approach in 4 phases, including stabilisation and consolidation. After 20 odd years of research Pierre Dukan published his findings in 2000 in his book Je ne sais pas maigrir (I don't know how to get slimmer) which became a best seller.
The diet became a best seller after Carole Middleton introduced her daughter Kate (now The Duchess of Cambridge) to the diet before her wedding to Prince William. Kate lost two dress sizes.
In July 2011 a French court ruled against Dukan in his attempt to sue rival nutritionist Jean-Michel Cohen for libel, after Cohen had criticised his method in the press. .
Cohen is considered as the main reference in nutrition and earned 3000 Euro.
Stages
The diet is based on a list of over 100 allowed foods, as well as four specific ground pillars also known as phases: attack, cruise, consolidation, and stabilization.The attack phase is designed to enable dieters to rapidly lose 2 kilogram in 2–7 days by kick-starting their metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
. Dieters allowed to eat as much as they want of 72 protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
-rich foods.
The cruise phase is designed to allow dieters to more gradually achieve the weight they aim for by eating protein-rich foods with the addition of 28 specific vegetables. The length of this phase is usually calculated as 1 kilograms (2.2 lb) of weight loss per week, but this is based on specific personal conditions. Tolerated foods are also allowed as per the programme, but any weight gain will ban some of these.
The consolidation phase is designed to help in preventing any future massive weight gain. During this phase, fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods are reintroduced into a normal diet, leaving two celebratory meals a week as directed by the plan.
Finally, in the stabilization phase, dieters can essentially eat whatever they want without gaining weight by following a few rules: protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
day once a week, eating oat bran every day and making a commitment to "take the stairs". According to Dukan, dieters shall follow this last phase for the rest their lives to avoid regaining weight.
Symptoms, effects, and warnings for a mostly-protein diet
- Dukan is classified as the French counterpart to the more strict US proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
rich diets. The diet is commonly believed to be a true proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
diet, but actually deviates from these as it emphasizes adding vegetables and later on adding no-go foods as starchStarchStarch or amylum is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by all green plants as an energy store...
and carbohydrates.
- Flu symptoms: the common diet Induction Flu isn't a type of flu, but a colloquialism used to describe the withdrawal symptoms the body experiences when switching from fuelling it with carbohydrates to proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
and body fat. Apart from not having a chill or feverFeverFever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
, the symptoms are very similar to flu. In addition to headaches, nauseaNauseaNausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, lethargy, irritability and loss of concentration may be experienced. These symptoms should only last a short time.
- KetosisKetosisKetosis is a state of elevated levels of ketone bodies in the body. It is almost always generalized throughout the body, with hyperketonemia, that is, an elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketone bodies are formed by ketogenesis when the liver glycogen stores are depleted...
: burning body fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel is known as ketosisKetosisKetosis is a state of elevated levels of ketone bodies in the body. It is almost always generalized throughout the body, with hyperketonemia, that is, an elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketone bodies are formed by ketogenesis when the liver glycogen stores are depleted...
and whilst it produces the obvious benefits of weight lossWeight lossWeight loss, in the context of medicine, health or physical fitness, is a reduction of the total body mass, due to a mean loss of fluid, body fat or adipose tissue and/or lean mass, namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon and other connective tissue...
it can in some rare cases put some minor strains on the kidneys and liverLiverThe liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
and in extreme cases cause damage. Milder side effects of ketosisKetosisKetosis is a state of elevated levels of ketone bodies in the body. It is almost always generalized throughout the body, with hyperketonemia, that is, an elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketone bodies are formed by ketogenesis when the liver glycogen stores are depleted...
are bad breath, a metallic taste in the mouth and strong urineUrineUrine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
odour.
- The diet is not recommended for patients diagnosed with kidneyKidneyThe kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
problems, pregnant or breast feeding women and type I diabetics (as well as Type II insulin dependents).
Similar diets
- Atkins diet: This diet was created by Dr Robert AtkinsRobert Atkins (nutritionist)Robert Coleman Atkins, MD was an American physician and cardiologist, best known for the Atkins Nutritional Approach , a popular but controversial way of dieting that entails close control of carbohydrate consumption, emphasizing protein and fat intake, including saturated fat in addition to...
in 1972 and focuses on high fatsFatsFats may refer to:*Fat, a generic term for a class of lipids in biochemistry*Fats Domino, rock and roll pianist*Fats Waller, jazz pianist*Fats Navarro, jazz trumpeter*Singing Fats, master of ceremonies*Obesity...
, moderate proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
and oils rather than carbohydrates. This method was the first one to suggest no calorie counting which at the time was considered a dietary revolution. The Dukan diet is similar, although it does not allow fatsFatsFats may refer to:*Fat, a generic term for a class of lipids in biochemistry*Fats Domino, rock and roll pianist*Fats Waller, jazz pianist*Fats Navarro, jazz trumpeter*Singing Fats, master of ceremonies*Obesity...
and oils, recommends relatively lower calorie counts, and insists on the consumption of oat bran every day.
- Weight WatchersWeight WatchersWeight Watchers is an international company that offers various dieting products and services to assist weight loss and maintenance. Founded in 1963 by Brooklyn homemaker Jean Nidetch, it operates in about 30 countries around the world, generally under names that are local translations of “Weight...
: This diet was created by an American woman who had difficulties losing weight. The diet is a low calorie diet points system. Weight Watchers was the first system to propose support groups to their customers. The Dukan diet differs in that animal proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
-carrying calories (non-fat) are ignored but others are not. These calories often come from fats in dairy products, which are not allowed.
- The cabbage soup dietCabbage soup dietThe cabbage soup diet is a radical weight loss diet designed around heavy consumption of a low-calorie cabbage soup over the time of seven days. It is generally considered a fad diet, in that it is designed for short-term weight-loss and requires no long-term commitment...
is a radical weight loss diet designed around heavy consumption of a low-calorie cabbage soup over a period of seven days. It is generally considered a fad diet, in that it is designed for short-term weight loss and requires no long-term commitment. It has inspired several copycats based around similar principles. The recipeRecipeA recipe is a set of instructions that describe how to prepare or make something, especially a culinary dish.-Components:Modern culinary recipes normally consist of several components*The name of the dish...
for the specific soup ("miracle soup") is mentioned in The Dukan Diet and even welcomed as a cravings cruncher.
- The ketogenic dietKetogenic dietThe ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that in medicine is used primarily to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates...
is a high-fatFatFats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
, adequate-proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
, low-carbohydrateCarbohydrateA carbohydrate is an organic compound with the empirical formula ; that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 . However, there are exceptions to this. One common example would be deoxyribose, a component of DNA, which has the empirical...
diet that in medicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
is used primarily to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsyEpilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvationStarvationStarvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death...
by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. As with Dukan and Atkins this diet focuses on burning fat by eliminating carbohydrates. The main difference is that the ketogenic diet is allowed for children with epilepsyEpilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
whereas Dukan does not condone proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
diets for children.
Exposure in the UK media
On May 14, 2010, BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
broadcast a 10 minute 3 sided interview/discussion, conducted by Jenni Murray
Jenni Murray
Dame Jennifer Susan "Jenni" Murray, DBE is a British journalist and broadcaster. She attended Barnsley Girls High School and has a degree in French and Drama from Hull University...
, and including Dr Dukan on Woman's Hour
Woman's Hour
Woman's Hour is a radio magazine programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom.-History:Created by Norman Collins and originally presented by Alan Ivimey the programme was first broadcast on 7 October 1946 on the BBC's Light Programme . It was transferred to its current home in 1973...
, examining and evaluating the diet's strategy.
The French magazine L'Express
L'Express
L'Express is the name of:*L'Express , the first news magazine in France*L'Express Airlines, a commuter airline in the southern USA between 1989-1992.*L'Express d'Ottawa, a Canadian weekly newspaper*L'Express de Timmins, a Canadian weekly newspaper...
list of the top 20 non-fiction books for the week of December 27, 2010 ranked La Méthode Dukan Illustrée in 19th place.
Channel Four included the Dukan Diet in the program Will my crash diet kill me? on 26 January 2011.
The diet was not represented correctly according to many viewers who left comments on Channel 4's website.