The Dukan Diet: a Diet for the Royalty?

The princess-to-be Kate Middleton and her mother are allegedly using this diet to shape up before the wedding on April 29th. Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Giselle Bundchen are already associated with the diet.

According to many, Dukan Diet is the French version of Atkins Diet and since we all think that French people are so fit, Dukan must be the answer, or is it?  Dukan, like Atkins, emphasize the intake of protein and low-carb approach.  

The Dukan Diet is said to include three phases:

- "Attack" phase: Eating only pure proteins in lean meats, lean cured meats, seafood, eggs, fat-free dairy products;

- Weight loss phase: Add vegetables to the protein choices;-Stabilization phase: Add fruit, bread, cheese and even pasta; and

- Eat whatever you want, whenever you want. You’ll never be fat again.

The last phase seems especially interesting!  The Dukan Diet comes with a promise that you lose weight permanently.  This diet was developed by a French medical doctor, Pierre Dukan, in 2000.  Dr. Dukan is a 69 year old neurologist who has written several best-selling books that sold millions. 

This diet has been very popular in France for many years and now it’s making its way to America.  Like many other diets, it promotes high intake of protein and low intake of carbs but it also adds very large amounts of water and oat bran.  It does  not allow a lot of fruits and vegetables but wine and dessert are allowed for a certain number of days; that’s why the French love it.  

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, ANSES, has listed the Dukan Diet as one among 15 unbalanced and harmful diets, while the The British Dietetic Association, BDA, has included the Dukan Diet among the five worst diets of 2011.