There are a variety of diets that all claim to do the same thing: help people to lose weight with minimal effort, in a short amount of time. The Dukan diet, which falls under the high protein diet category, has been referred to as the “Princess Diet,” was designed by a French doctor by the name of Pierre Dukan and introduced to the United States in 2011. According to the claims of the diet, it will help those who follow the guidelines to lose up to 10 pounds within the first week while eating as much of the approved foods as desired. Additionally, upon reaching one’s goal weight, if the rules are followed, the weight will not be regained (Hiatt).
In order to follow the Dukan diet, individuals may find that their grocery bills may be slightly increased due to the amount of animal protein, vegetables, and dairy products. However, the book that accompanies the diet which provides detailed information is reasonably priced. In order to see dramatic results, according to the Dukan diet, the practice of counting calories is outdated; rather than focusing on caloric intake, followers of the Dukan diet limit certain nutritional categories, in particular carbohydrates.
Similar to other low-carbohydrate diets, followers of the Dukan diet may experience lethargy, bad breath, dry mouth, and constipation, along with possible nutritional deficiencies (Hiatt). Individuals who have kidney disease or other kidney problems should not follow the Dukan diet due to the extra effort involved to break down the large amount of protein.
Likewise, individuals who have hypertension or diabetes should refrain from following the Dukan diet, as the sodium intake is more than doubled (3,900 mg vs. 1,500 mg for individuals who have hypertension or diabetes). The Dukan diet is ideal for individuals who are looking for a strict diet and may be a good choice for gluten intolerant dieters, as the Dukan diet is comprised of naturally gluten-free food choices.
Works Cited
Hiatt, Kurtis. "Dukan Diet What You Need to Know." Dukan Diet Overview. U.S. News & World Report, 3 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
