I'm excited to share my experience with the Dukan diet, a weight loss method that's actually worked for me.
Introduction
I recently read a book called 'I Don't Do Diets' by Dr. Pierre Dukan, and it's been a real eye-opener. I'd never heard of Dr. Dukan before, but my endocrinologist recommended I try an 80% protein diet, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
I Don't Do Diets by Pierre Dukan
I asked a colleague once how she'd lost weight.
-By following the Dukan diet, she said.
I shrugged my shoulders.
How come you don't know about Dr. Dukan? she teased me.
Now his book is in my hands, and I'm excited to share my experience with you.Here's some information from 'I Don't Do Diets':
Dukan diet menu The Dukan diet and obesity
Pierre Dukan is one of France's most popular diet doctors, who's developed his own weight loss method.
As a kid, Pierre had to choose between a career in art or medicine. His mom gave him some sage advice:
If you become a doctor, you'll always be able to paint or collect art, but if you become an artist, you'll never be able to practice medicine.
I have to say, the main goal of Dr. Dukan's program isn't just about helping you lose weight - it's about teaching you how to keep it off and stabilize your weight in the long run.
When Dr. Dukan first approached his publisher with his book, they turned him down. The reason? Dr. Dukan was already lean and had no idea what it was like to struggle with weight gain. (That's a great example of perseverance, by the way - don't let rejection hold you back!) There's also another book from Dr. Dukan with some amazing, one-of-a-kind recipes you can try out.
350 recipes for the Dukan DietWhy People Improve
I've always wondered why people gain weight. Are they just lazy and have an insatiable appetite? I don't think so. Dr. Dukan suggests that people who are overweight are often individuals with some form of dissatisfaction, and they eat to mask it. I totally agree with him on this one. I've caught myself eating to cope with stress, and when I'm chewing, I feel more at ease and protected. Some people even eat sweets out of habit, not because they actually want them.
When Dr. Dukan works with each client who wants to lose weight, he makes a deal with them: replace the pleasure of eating with the pleasure of losing weight. I've experienced that pleasure firsthand.
And it's true, even just a few days without sweets reduces the desire for them, while losing 500 grams is an incredible feeling and a huge source of pride!I've also replaced the pleasure of eating unhealthy food with the pleasure of eating healthy food, which, by the way, can be incredibly delicious.
The book starts with a general overview of Dr. Dukan's method, which has four stages that need to be followed to the end, or it won't work.
Phases of the Dukan Diet
I was intrigued when Dr. Dukan suggested eating 72 natural protein products - I mean, I know some of the obvious ones like eggs, beans, cottage cheese, and meat, but what are the other 68? Let's take a look.
And you can eat 28 varieties of veggies.
The best part is that you can eat all of this without any restrictions! That's amazing! Hunger is the worst, and it brings discomfort, dissatisfaction, anger, and even pain. We've all been there!
You need physical exercise and walking. I've always been skeptical of diets that don't include physical activity - you need to stabilize your muscles, or you'll lose weight but end up looking flabby.
Wow, this book really seems like it's the real deal.
I've only read the intro, but I'm already motivated and excited to lose weight. And I think I understand the principles.
How to Prepare for the Dukan Diet
I think it's tough to switch to Dr. Dukan's diet if your current eating habits are far from ideal.
My advice is to stick to this diet for a bit - trust me, any other diet will be a breeze after this.
My Meals on the Dukan Diet
So, what do I eat on the Dukan diet? Here are some examples:
Fried chicken is a great source of protein. A fried egg is a staple of any diet. I've been making scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast on the Dukan Diet. <\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a>Bean Soup<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/a>Grilled Beef Steak, Onion, and Tomatoes, Reduced in White Wine<\/div><\/a><\/div>Four Stages of the Dukan Diet
So, here are the four stages of weight loss according to Dr. Dukan:
1. Attack
2. Alternating
3. Consolidation
4. Stabilization
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To succeed, you've got to give it a try!
Pierre Dukan
Dr. Dukan says that after the initial results, a dieter is left alone with their thoughts, and it's easy to fall back into old habits. I know I did - I'd lose a few kilos, feel great, and then start indulging in sweets again, only to regain the weight. A dieter needs support and motivation from others to stay on track. So, let's go through the main stages of the Dukan diet:
1. Attack
Phase 1: Clean Protein.
At this stage, you should only be consuming protein. By the way, did you know that egg whites are made up of 100% protein?
Fried egg with small greens
I've heard a few fitness bloggers talk about only eating the egg whites and discarding the yolks because of the cholesterol content. Now that's a great idea, if only they didn't add sugar to meringue! Here are some ideal protein meal options:
Scrambled duck eggs Pan-fried egg and shredded chicken Pan-fried chicken breast Omelette Chicken broth2. CHANGEOVERI've been following the changeover stage, which involves alternating between proteins and veggies - it's amazing how much fiber you can get from them.
3. ATTACHMENTI was really looking forward to this stage - attachment. You're supposed to start introducing small portions of dairy, bread, and fruits into your diet.
The duration of this stage is basically one lost kilogram from the first stage, multiplied by ten. That's a pretty steep curve, if you ask me. 4. STABILIZATIONThis stabilization stage is one that Dr. Dukan recommends we stick to for life.
I've been following the Dukan diet, and it's been pretty straightforward - one protein-rich day a week, no elevator rides (lucky for those living on the first floor!), and three tablespoons of oat bran every day. The diet itself seems pretty easy to stick to.
It seems like a breeze to follow.Belks, Fats, and Carbs
We all know that our bodies get three types of nutrients from food: proteins, fats, and carbs.
And we've all been told that fats are the enemy when it comes to weight loss - although we should be careful with carbs too. From a young age, we're rewarded with sweets for good behavior, and as adults, that habit sticks. We might not even enjoy sweets that much, but we still reach for them as a reward for dealing with the stresses of life.
Why We Eat Bad Food
Here are my theories on why we tend to buy carb-heavy foods:
- they're cheap,
- they're psychologically rewarding,
- they're easy to grab on the go (a bagel or pastry, a candy bar or chocolate chip cookie - perfect for a quick snack in most people's minds).
Fats are also bad for us, especially when we're trying to lose weight. The author makes a few points about that.
Belks, on the other hand, are the ultimate nutrient. Meat is high in protein, but Dr. Dukan advises against eating pork because it has more fat than protein.
When I'm on a diet, I've noticed that my body takes a while to digest protein, which is why I end up burning so much energy. It's interesting to know that our bodies can produce some of the other essential nutrients, but we can't produce protein ourselves.This is also why the Dukan diet works, our bodies get the protein from food, and the other nutrients are produced by our bodies. However, as the author says, it's impossible to lose our own body fat by consuming it from outside. If we don't get enough protein, we're forced to take it from our muscles and bones, which is really bad for our health. I experienced this firsthand when I tried to just cut down on my food intake and I even had days without protein, so I was eating soups and porridges in small amounts. I was always hungry, not losing weight, and feeling weak.Dr. Dukan also recommends drinking at least 1.5 liters of water a day, and he explains why this is necessary on a protein diet:
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Personally, I really like the principles of this diet, I I was expecting some crazy rules, but it turns out it's not that bad. You start by eating only protein-rich foods and drinking plenty of water, then add some veggies, and finally, you can even add some treats.
The Downers of the Dukan Diet
But as I kept reading the book, I started to hit some roadblocks:
I had to cut back on salt intake.
That was tough for me, I love my meat without salt.
The Dukan Diet also advises against eating fruits because they're high in sugar.
This part really threw me off. How can I do without fruits?!Eating too much protein can lead to constipation.
That's not something I wanted to deal with!
The Interesting Bits of the Dukan Diet
I found the parts about eating cold foods and the temperature regime of the diet to be really interesting.
I have to admit, the author's suggestion to constantly consume ice to make your body burn energy to warm up is pretty interesting.
The Dukan diet also recommends eating soy products, which I've found to be super beneficial.
My Results on the Dukan Diet Honestly, I managed to lose only a few kilograms on the Dukan diet, and I know why - it's due to constant slip-ups on sweets and fruits. Even so, I still return to this diet from time to time, and at least I've stopped gaining weight.
Check out more recipes and meals on the Dukan diet here
My review of the Dukan diet book and how it compares to other diets here
My Verdict
I recommend the Dukan diet, but be sure to listen to your body's needs and personal feelings!
Good luck with your weight loss journey, and stay positive!
Veggie Stew Egg Rolls Crab OmeletteWhat I ate on intuitive eating
I try not to eat sugar, but I'm dealing with sugar cravings