The Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet is a 2000 self-improvement and diet book by the French general practitioner and nutritionist Dr. Pierre Dukan. The culmination of thirty years of Dukan's life and research, The Dukan Diet sold more than 7 million copies globally. The book was translated into English and released in the United States in 2011.

Like many diets that promise patients they can lose weight fast without going hungry, the Dukan diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The author was inspired, he writes, by an obese patient he treated in the 1970s who believed he could easily give up most foods, as long as he didn't have to give up meat.

Dukan divides his diet plan into four stages, but before tackling the stages, he recommends dieters calculate their "true weight." This is a number that represents more than simply pounds or kilograms. The book provides a method for calculating one's true weight, taking into consideration factors such as age and weight loss history. Doing so is important, Dukan writes, because the true weight will determine how long the dieter spends during each of the four dieting phases.



Dukan calls the first phase "The Attack Phase," which can last anywhere from one day to seven days. During this phase, dieters can eat as much lean protein as they wish, including lean beef, venison, bison, or other game. They can also include skinless chicken, eggs, most types of fish and shellfish, and non-fat dairy products like cottage cheese. Dieters supplement their meals with a daily intake of 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran. They should also consume 1.5 liters of water per day and are only allowed one teaspoon of oil for cooking their food.

The second phase, "The Cruise Phase," lasts anywhere from one month to twelve months. During this phase, the dieter eats a set amount of lean protein every other day, while on the other days, the dieter eats lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. The diet recommends eating one serving of carrots or beets a day. However, these vegetables can include broccoli, kale and other leafy greens, celery, tomatoes, mushrooms, leeks, onions, and many others. No fruits are allowed, however. In addition, the dieter can now consume a full 2 tablespoons of oat bran each day. Again, oil is restricted to the one teaspoon.

Dukan says the third phase, "The Consolidation Phase," should last five days for every pound lost during the first two phases. So, for example, if the dieter lost thirty pounds, then The Consolidation Phase should last 150 days or about five months. During this phase, the dieter eats a much more balanced diet that is, nevertheless, focused on lean proteins. Fats and carbohydrates are included but used sparingly. During this phase, the dieter consumes 2.5 tablespoons of oat bran each day. The dieter is allowed one serving of fruit, such as cherries, per day and two slices of whole grain bread. During this phase, two "celebration meals" are allowed per week that may include sensible appetizers and desserts.



The final phase is called "The Stabilization Phase." As the final stage of the process, it lasts an indefinite amount of time or however long the dieter wishes to continue the diet. This phase is similar to The Consolidation Phase except that minor exceptions can be made where fat and carbohydrates are concerned, as long as the dieter does not stray from the target weight. Finally, the dieter consumes 3 tablespoons of oat bran each day of The Stabilization Phase.

Although the book has sold extraordinarily well, there is little evidence suggesting the diet is effective for losing weight. Moreover, studies have shown that high-protein, low-carb diets can increase a person's risk of kidney and cardiovascular disease.