Dukan diet

What is the Dukan diet?

The Dukan diet was developed by Pierre Dukan. It is one of the high-protein diets in which both fats and carbohydrates are restricted. This is unlike the Atkins diet, ketogenic diet, and other low-carbohydrate:high-fat (LCHF) diets, in which fat is not restricted.

The Dukan diet consists of four phases designed to aid fast weight loss and ultimately, weight maintenance. The Dukan diet's first two phases are based on a list of 72 to 100 permitted foods to promote rapid, consistent weight loss. The final two phases involve re-introduction of foods with an aim to help dieters keep the weight off permanently.

There is no calorie restriction and you are permitted to eat as much of the allowed foods as you like. For every stage of the Dukan diet, you are required to eat a limited portion of oat bran daily.

The four phases of the Dukan diet

1. Attack phase

The attack 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. It typically involves eating unlimited high-protein foods plus 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran per day. This helps with motivation and to continue with the Dukan diet.

2. Cruise phase

This is the longest phase of the Dukan 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 list of permitted foods. 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.

What to eat on the Dukan diet?

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

• Lean protein such as chicken, turkey, lean beef, lean ham, and veal.

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

• Non-fat dairy products such as 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.

How does the Dukan diet work?

The principles of the Dukan diet are based on the premises that:

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.

Benefits of the Dukan diet

• Losing a lot of weight in the initial stages of the Dukan 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 Dukan diet.

• The Dukan 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 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 Dukan diet.

Disadvantages of the Dukan diet

• The initial loss of weight with the Dukan diet 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.

• The Dukan 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 Dukan diet is very restrictive which can lead to boredom and poor compliance with the diet.

• There can be unpleasant side-effects of the Dukan diet, including headache, feeling sick (nausea), constipation, bad breath and extreme tiredness (fatigue).

Is the Dukan diet healthy?

There has not been enough research to confirm the health benefits 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 Dukan diet is also 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.One study found women on the Dukan diet were deficient in vitamin C and folate, a B vitamin.

Does the Dukan diet work?

The Dukan diet may help you to lose weight quickly, but it does not go without risks. The Dukan diet is 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 phase of the Dukan 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 (counting calories) 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.

Adopting healthy eating principles

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, whole grains, fish and nuts, plus small amounts of meat, dairy and 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 Dukan diet.

What other options are there to lose weight?

Other types of diet are available - for example:

• Paleolithic diet (Paleo diet).

• Atkins diet.

• 5:2 diet.

There are other ways of changing your diet and altering your lifestyle to help you lose weight, such as increasing your physical activity.

You may find other leaflets in this series helpful, including:

• Obesity and Weight Loss.

• Weight Loss (Weight Reduction).

• Orlistat (Weight Loss Medicine).

• Weight Loss Surgery.