Dukan Diet

heyho

Just wondering has anyone tried the Dukan Diet?
It seems to achieve results without major hunger or inconvenience in terms of what you can eat etc. I do like meat/ fish and carbs are something I should eat less of, so I thought it might suit me.
Would love to hear any feedback that folk might have.

Ciaran500

Summary of it here for anyone else who hasn't heard of it: http://caloriecount.about.com/dukan-diet-b418277

Snackie

Ciaran500 wrote: »

Summary of it here for anyone else who hasn't heard of it: http://caloriecount.about.com/dukan-diet-b418277

Sounds interesting

Ciaran500

Snackie wrote: »

Sounds interesting

This thread is starting to just sound like a shill.

But for the record its another ****e fad diet. Protein only for the first phase, very low carb and no fat for the second phase and low carb/fat for the "stabilisation phase". This is a terrible way to eat. Running on protein only is potentially bad for your health and any good diet need to consider fat as a legitimate food source, not something to be avoided.

jam_mac_jam

This is a very extreme diet, I think maybe if you had a hell of a lot of weight to lose. Low fat and low carb at the same time sounds impossible, you can eat meat and low fat dairy at the first phase, this cannot be good for you

EileenG

If you google Protein Sparing Modified Fast, you'll find a lot about the low carb, low fat diet.

It is do-able, and it does work, but you spend one hell of a lot of time thinking about food. It is not a lifestyle diet, or even something I'd recommend unless you have a really good reason for losing a lot of weight within a short time (I'm talking about losing weight for a necessary operation, not to look good at your sister's hen night.)

Tibbyaaa

Hi

I've been on this diet for 9 days now and i've lost 10lbs. its not the most interesting diet you have to like meat and fish, but by the second week you start introducing veg. In terms of the big weight loss at the start its most likely water retention.

I've tried all kinds of diets in the past from weight watchers to lipotrim but i always seem to pile the weight back on. After lipotrim I can understand the weight gain but in general I am a healthy person. I eat lots of fruit and veg, and very little starchy carbs. I also go hill walking nearly everyday so I do exercise. I guess my biggest downfall is sweets, and portion control.
I bought the book on this diet and liked the way that there was a 4 stage plan, also the fact that you can eat food on it!
I seem to be more confident with this diet tho as I'm not hungry and more importantly I'm not craving sweets.

heyho

If you read a bit more about it, it's not as restrictive or potentially damaging as you might think.

You eat oat bran every day throughout. The first protein/ low fat dairy + oat bran phase only lasts 2-7 days. You also drink tons of water to flush out your system, which I think counteracts the damage that so much protein can do?

After that you incorporate a range of veggies. Then you move onto a wider range of foods including carbs and low fat dairy, eating 2 meals a week where you eat a 3 course meal of whatever the hell you like. On the 3rd phase you stick to 1 day a week of pure protein which apparently compensates for whatever piggery goes on on the other 6 days.

I don't see the harm in a diet that encourages eating non processed, fresh vegetables, fish and meats, drinking lots of water and getting daily exercise. Am on day 2 and so far no problem, even ate out for breakfast without any issues so it's not that restrictive. Will see how I get on!

m.anna

I'm on Dukan's diet 4th week now. Going down on weight Maybe twice a week I'm getting cravings for sweets, eat a bar of chocolate but weight keeps still (on pv days) and goes down on protein only days. You must drink a lot (water, tea, herbs......no alcohol), at least 2ltr per day.
No helath issues noticed.

Lantus

The Atkins diet, sorry! I meant the dukan diet..it's so hard to keep up with all these fad diets works on that age old sorcorers trick of creating a really imbalanced diet by eliminating an entire food group temporarily.

It doesn't address why you got to where you are today and how your going to address those issues not just for the next few weeks but the next few months, the next year and 10 years from now. i.e. LIFESTYLE.

EileenG

Anyone who describes Atkins as a fad is showing that they need to do more research. The days when you could describe a low carb diet as a dangerous fad are long gone, there is too much research to back them up.

heyho

Both Atkins and Dukan are plans for life, not just a short term thing to lose a few kilos. We're not talking about Celebrity Slim here!

Lantus

Both Atkins and other low carb diets like dukan would be in fact regarded as short term fad diets by most respectible authorites on nutrition. The american medical assocition, INDI and BDA have publicly denounced them and it's not hard to realise why when you take a closer look at how they do (and ultimatley don't work.)

As with all things the truth lies in moderation. A moderate amount of carbs in the right portion size along with some lean carbs and good fats in conjunction with a moderate amount of exercise.

You only have to look at body builders. While they may drop their carbs to get that final competition cut look they all know that it's totally unsustainable and in fact will put weight on when not competing as carbs are a stable part of their diet, as they should be for anyone.

I'm really worried that the low carb popularity will do as much if not more damage in years to come than the zero fat craze that was endured during the 80's.

EileenG

I'm not going to argue, I just suggest you do some independent research before you denounce low card diets. In fact, one of the things that always makes me laugh is how all the experts are now telling you to cut out the sugar, high gi carbs and processed food, while eating more salmon, olive oil, nuts, flaxseed, eggs, sardines, fresh meat, dark chocolate, etc "as part of your healthy low fat diet".

It is possible to put together a high quality low fat diet, just as it's possible to do a rubbish low carb diet. But a diet that's got enough quality protein, healthy fats and green vegetables, tends to mesh more easily with low carb than low fat.

The food pyramid, in particular, is a very bad idea for anyone who is on a reduced calorie diet. Reducing everything in proportion, as per the food pyramid, results in a diet with a frighteningly low amount of protein and fats.

For what it's worth, I've been on a low carb diet for ten years, not for my waist, but for my health.

heyho

If you did some research, you'd see that the Dukan diet encompasses daily exercise and only completely restricts carbs for the first few days of the diet. After that you can eat as many vegetables as you like (which contain carbs ). You also eat oat bran daily, and once you have reached a certain stage in the diet you incorporate wholewheat bread, pasta, rice etc into your menu.

Shocking stuff I know, what a ridiculous fad, daily exercise, eating lean protein, lots of vegetables and wholegrain carbs. :eek:

Ciaran500

heyho wrote: »

If you did some research, you'd see that the Dukan diet encompasses daily exercise and only completely restricts carbs for the first few days of the diet. After that you can eat as many vegetables as you like (which contain carbs ). You also eat oat bran daily, and once you have reached a certain stage in the diet you incorporate wholewheat bread, pasta, rice etc into your menu.

Shocking stuff I know, what a ridiculous fad, daily exercise, eating lean protein, lots of vegetables and wholegrain carbs. :eek:

And where do you get your fat from? Everything recommend in the diet is low fat, no diet can be healthy and completely exclude fat.

El_Dangeroso

Lantus wrote: »

Both Atkins and other low carb diets like dukan would be in fact regarded as short term fad diets by most respectible authorites on nutrition. The american medical assocition, INDI and BDA have publicly denounced them and it's not hard to realise why when you take a closer look at how they do (and ultimatley don't work.)

As with all things the truth lies in moderation. A moderate amount of carbs in the right portion size along with some lean carbs and good fats in conjunction with a moderate amount of exercise.

You only have to look at body builders. While they may drop their carbs to get that final competition cut look they all know that it's totally unsustainable and in fact will put weight on when not competing as carbs are a stable part of their diet, as they should be for anyone.

I'm really worried that the low carb popularity will do as much if not more damage in years to come than the zero fat craze that was endured during the 80's.

I think you'll find that low carb was the default diet advised by doctors prior to the low fat craze of the 1980's. Everyone's grandmother knew you lost weight by cutting out starch and sweets.

This is a public health video from Britain in the 1960's, check out the diet the doctor prescribes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSRfan2dgw

And BTW, slowly but surely the medical establishment is starting to accept low carb, the ADA have already said that they are a safe and acceptable method for type 2 diabetics to lose weight. Expect other organisations to follow as the mountain of scientific evidence continues to pile up in favour of a carbohydrate controlled approach.

metamorphosis

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

I think you'll find that low carb was the default diet advised by doctors prior to the low fat craze of the 1980's. Everyone's grandmother knew you lost weight by cutting out starch and sweets.

This is a public health video from Britain in the 1960's, check out the diet the doctor prescribes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSRfan2dgw

And BTW, slowly but surely the medical establishment is starting to accept low carb, the ADA have already said that they are a safe and acceptable method for type 2 diabetics to lose weight. Expect other organisations to follow as the mountain of scientific evidence continues to pile up in favour of a carbohydrate controlled approach.

wasn't there some pretty conclusive study done not too long ago too where workers under the exact same conditions where split into 3 groups - 1 low fat/1 Mediterranean and 1 low carb and the low carb came out on top for all 3?

While i am anything but low carbing at the moment - it's hardly unsafe. People coming out with wildfire statements don't know much of it and base their conclusions and hear say and automatically assume that low carb equals no carb.

The last few years, the science has been pretty undeniable regards proper carb conciousness long term in the diet. Way too many studies have proven the ill effects of low fat processed diets. The problem is when the food industry is heavily influenced by the grain industry it takes the authorities etc longer to come around and say ' yes it is safe to lower your carbs'.

heyho

Fat on the Dukan diet comes from yogurt, creme fraiche, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, skimmed milk - all low in fat but there is still fat content. You can eat pretty much unlimited amounts of these. Again, once you have reached your target weight you re-introduce "normal" foods over a period of time until you eventually can eat whatever you like, except for one day a week when you eat a restricted diet of protein and low fat foods. So nobody is eliminating anything from their diet.

metamorphosis

By nature, creme fraiche and greek yogurt are not low fat ... that's unless you but the low fat versions of course

heyho

Yes, you use the low fat versions in the weight loss phase of the diet. Also you can eat eggs, fat in there too..

jam_mac_jam

this is both low fat and carb, not just a low carb diet. I think this is quite different to most low carb diets in this case. It will not work in the long term and may not be dangerous but is quite stupid and not very pratical. Those who are saying its great, come back in 6 months and tell us how you are getting on.

Btw I am not at all attacking low carbing or the atkins diet which is not low fat. They seem much more sensible in comparison with much more veg and good fats. You can really only eat meat, eggs and low fat diary in the first stage of this and then you can eat veg. And before anyone tells me to research it, I have and decided that maybe if you are very obsese, this is not a diet for normal people.

jam_mac_jam

ULstudent wrote: »

By nature, creme fraiche and greek yogurt are not low fat ... that's unless you but the low fat versions of course

you eat the low fat ones on this.

metamorphosis

To me - if you are low carbing you should be eating fat. Cutting down on fat AND protein is not good really. Pick one or the other imho.

Lantus

I guess a lot of the fuss comes down to what you consider low carbs actually is in terms of your calorie intake per day as a percentage. I work at around 40-50% which is moderate IMHO. Atkins goes in at 5% and I think Dukan is around same or a touch higher.

As the recommended intake is around 60% you could say anything below that is a low carb diet. Unless your planning out your meals there is no way you will know.

El_Dangeroso

Lantus wrote: »

I guess a lot of the fuss comes down to what you consider low carbs actually is in terms of your calorie intake per day as a percentage. I work at around 40-50% which is moderate IMHO. Atkins goes in at 5% and I think Dukan is around same or a touch higher.

As the recommended intake is around 60% you could say anything below that is a low carb diet. Unless your planning out your meals there is no way you will know.

I know 5% seems like very little but that is just the initial phase (usually a month for an average dieter), don't forget that 30g of carbohyrate in the form of non-starchy veg is a LOT of veg. Also 'high-fat' doesn't really look like all that much fat in terms of food.

The initial phase is merely a 'reset button' for the taste-buds, the blood sugar and the metabolism. After that you add in different carbs and see how you react, it's very individual and you get to see how each one affects you as you add in things one by one. That's a great aspect as you end up with the most variety of food while maintaining a healthy weight.

I think there's a perception that Atkin's is all steak coated with cheese, but it really isn't. Vegetables form the bulk of the diet in volume. I never used to like vegetables before I went low carb. Now my tastebuds aren't as blunted I can taste the sweetness in asparagus and broccolli. You learn to replace the empty calories in your diet with nutrient rich vegetables and fat-soluble vitamins.

Lantus

Low carb at 5% is extremely low, good job it's only for a short period. It's easy to see why low carb diets are just so popular. They provide instant results without any real effort or exercise. It's like a commercial product you can buy and experience almost straight away.

Yes, low carb either in the short term or long term has advantages. But, there are also a whole load of disadvantages that people tend to ignore because the instant weight loss is just so alluring.

carb reducing was historically and still is used by body builders to cut up before a contest. To lose some BF% for show conditions. As we all know though most of them look 'normal' year round because low carb isn't sustainable. They go back to 'normal' healthy eating for the rest of the year and their BF% increases back to normal levels. funny that....

EileenG

I've been low carbing for ten years, and I do it for the good of my health. Eating this way keeps me free from heartburn, gallstone attacks and almost free from migraine. My blood work is perfect and I have no problem eating this way for the rest of my life.

I've spend years on every diet out there (and yes, I'm still looking for the magic fairy dust that will let me lose weight without effort). Low carbing isn't magic, but it's a sustainable way of eating that many studies have shown will not have have any bad effects on your health.

Take a look at some of Transform's videos on food. His approach is definitely low carb, and he has a body to kill for.

rocky

Low carb isn't for everybody. It works better for some than others. In the end, the best diet/lifestyle is any that can be maintained long-term.

El_Dangeroso

Lantus wrote: »

Low carb at 5% is extremely low, good job it's only for a short period. It's easy to see why low carb diets are just so popular. They provide instant results without any real effort or exercise. It's like a commercial product you can buy and experience almost straight away.

Yes, low carb either in the short term or long term has advantages. But, there are also a whole load of disadvantages that people tend to ignore because the instant weight loss is just so alluring.

carb reducing was historically and still is used by body builders to cut up before a contest. To lose some BF% for show conditions. As we all know though most of them look 'normal' year round because low carb isn't sustainable. They go back to 'normal' healthy eating for the rest of the year and their BF% increases back to normal levels. funny that....

Hmm, define 'normal healthy eating'. If 'normal' is what causes the weight regain, don't you think that 'normal' could be the issue, not the diet that causes you to lose the weight?

You can't just go back to 'normal' on any diet and expect to maintain. The difference in weight gain on low carb and low fat is about 5lb of water and glycogen. That's it. There's nothing about a low carb diet that causes you to regain quicker than any other calorie-restricted approach.

What are the disadvantages out of interest? Every diet is tough to stick to, even low-fat, we live in a food environment that pre-disposes some of us (I think 1/4 of us are now obese) to weight gain. If that's normal, I don't want to be normal.

Not everyone suits a low carb diet, I get that. But for some of us it's the best thing to ever happen to our waistlines and our health. I've lost and kept off 4 stone for 3 years now, my IBS is non-existant, my moods are better, I have loads of energy etc. Why automatically dismiss an approach that some people clearly do so well on?

Khannie

EileenG wrote: »

His approach is definitely low carb, and he has a body to kill for.

He's mad for the carbs. Flapjacks ahoy.

I'd achieve lower bodyfat levels to him (granted I'm not as muscular, but that's by choice) in the run up to a fight without ever going low carb.

beryl1

I have been following this diet for 11 days now, and lost 6.5 pounds!:) I do not agree that it's not healthy, i've been eating lots of fish, and far more vegetables on my pv days and drinking lots of water. Also walking half hour per day. I am a lot healthier now than before eating bread, pasta, rice etc. I have struggled with weight watchers before, felt dizzy, headaches and sometimes absolutely starving. but with dukan i never feel hungry,dizzy or have headaches. I eat oat bran every day in low fat natural yogurt or as porridge and it is a great source of fibre.
A friend recommended the diet and she had lost 7kg on it, so i did my research, if you follow it properly it is healthy, a lot healthier than being overweight/obese. I cannot fault it at all.:)

heyho

Here is the requested six month update!
I have lost 10kg since July with minimal effort and very little hunger or stress.
Dukan worked for me.
I didn't follow it rigidly after the first 2 mths or so, allowed myself treats and weekend pizzas and wine.
So I think by doing that I lost the weight gradually which should hopefully means it stays off.
Since I hit my goal in mid December I just follow the maintenance concept by low carbing a day or two a week and so far so good. :-)

Frank2k

Having done the Dukan Diet myself I can also say that it worked for me without any difficulties and have never felt any better. I signed up and used the coaching which did it for me.