The New Dukan Diet: Do or Don't?

So we all saw how gorgeous and (thin) Kate Middleton looked for her wedding, so the buzz has been all over the internet about the new diet fad her and her mother have been using to drop the pounds.

It's called the Dukan Diet and is similar to the Atkins craze that swept America a few years back. It involves a high protein diet and four phases. The LA Times explains it well saying,

"The Dukan diet is divided into four phases — two for weight loss and two for reintegrating foods and maintaining weight loss.

The first and most difficult step is the "Attack Phase." This level lasts from two days to a week, depending on the amount of weight loss sought, and requires dieters to eat only protein — such as lean cuts of beef; fish and shellfish; eggs; and nonfat dairy products — to jump-start weight loss. It allows a minimal amount of oat bran in one small galette, or pancake, each day, and mandates a daily 20-minute walk.

The second, or "Cruise," phase alternates between days of protein and days of protein and nonstarchy vegetables until the desired weight is reached. Fruit and carbohydrates are verboten.

The third, or "Consolidation," phase slowly reintroduces some carbohydrates, fruit and cheese, and allows two "celebration" meals a week that can include a glass of wine. It lasts five days per pound of weight lost.

Last comes "Permanent Stabilization." This phase requires participants to make a lifelong commitment to taking the stairs rather than the elevator, eating three tablespoons of oat bran a day and picking one day per week to eat only proteins in exchange for eating most anything the other days of the week."

The diet seems very difficult to keep up with. While cutting whole food groups out the way you do on the Dukan diet will help you drop weight, it sets you up for a lifestyle that's difficult to maintain. If you want to lose weight, we think you're better off eating lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, veggies, and healthy fats as well as lots of water. This way, you'll drop the weight and not have the negative side effects that are said to come with the Dukan Diet, like bad breath and fatigue.