This article gives pertinent information about Dukan Diet and its side-effects

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Pierre Dukan, a French doctor and nutritionist, challenged with the case of obesity started to look for alternative ways in curing the illness. After 20 years of thorough research he published in the year 2000, a book called, “Je ne sais pas maigrir” or translated as, “I don’t know how to get slimmer.” It gained the best-seller in France after a year it has been published.
It was made a hit in UK when Kate Middleton, now the duchess of Cambridge, tried the Dukan Diet before her marriage to the beloved Prince William, she reportedly claimed a loss of two dress sizes. It also allegedly claimed to help five million French. The book is also gaining fame in the US in the year 2011 when actress/singer, Jennifer Lopez, lost pounds after her pregnancy by following this diet.
Dukan Diet: What is it? How does this work?
Dukan Diet is similar to the famous Atkins diet. Atkins and Dukan are much alike in terms of non-intake of carbs initially and do not require portion control or counting calorie consumptions. In Atkins, it requires net carbohydrate intakes and unlike Dukan, it suggests a daily intake of oats, increase water consumption and 20 minutes of everyday brisk walking. Dukan Diet adopts four phases namely: Attack, Cruise, Consolidation and Stabilization.
Four Phases of the Dukan Diet
Attack: In this starter phase, the dieter is only allowed take protein rich foods that are exquisitely low in fat. Dr. Dukan provided 72-item list of foods to be eaten, it excludes pork, lamb, poultry products and cheeses. Food should always be cooked but without adding any fat to it, it best to cook in grilling or roasting. It also requires you to eat 1 ½ tbsp. oat bran & 1.5 liters of water per day. This phase should be followed around 2-7 days or more. Results from this initial phase within 5 days may result in 4-7 lbs. loss. This phase promotes quick loss of weight since it is strictly based on a protein-only diet.
Cruise: Cruise, the second to the fourth phase of the Dukan diet scheme. During this phase dieters who were only allowed to eat protein-only foods can now alternate a 28-items of non-starchy vegetables. They may take attack phase diet for today and take non-starchy veggie diet for tomorrow, and so this phase must go on by alternating these two types of diet each day. This phase may last long enough as much as you want by reaching your desired weight and assuring 2 pounds per week loss.
Consolidation: As one achieves the desired weight, one has to go the next phase called Consolidation, this is the maintenance phase of this diet scheme where you have to prevent putting back excess pounds. The plan in this phase is less strict compared to the first two phases. During this phase you are permitted to eat protein-only and veggie diet along with a piece of low-sugar fruit, 2 slices of whole grain bread and a portion of hard cheese. In this phase you are allowed to have 1-2 serving of starchy foods and one celebration meal per week. The phase of consolidation does not expect to loss off pounds but rather it is steadily the maintenance process.
Stabilization: Stabilization is the final phase and a life-long phase of the diet scheme. In here maintenance of the life-changing diet may be a challenging and tempting. During this portion of the scheme, one is already permitted to allow any food intake that a person wants and by also sticking to the diet rule in the consolidation phase. As Pierre Dukan suggest, that staying on the phase 1 rule once a week and eat whatever you like for the rest of the week lowers the chances of regaining weight.
Pros and Cons of Dukan Diet
Pros: The fast results of this diet scheme is beneficially rewarding and motivating. It allows you to have protein and veggie meal plan diets and does not require you to count off your calorie intakes.
Cons: It is highly restrictive and can exclude healthy foods. Dieters can experience side-effects such as symptoms of headaches, nausea, lethargy, irritable and loss of concentration. Dieters may acquire halitosis (bad breath), metallic tasting mouth and strong smell in their urines. For those people who have problems with their kidneys and liver are not advised to follow this diet plan. It is not also recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Views and Opinions by Health Experts on the Dukan Diet
There are lots of critics in this diet plan. Due to the restrictive type scheme of this diet, some fruits, grains and nuts which are healthy and have high amounts of vitamins and minerals that are vital to the nutrition of the body are eliminated. Keri Gans of American Dietetic Association, said that the lost amount of multivitamins that should be acquired from those restricted foods are not compensated in the Dukan diet. Experts have also criticized that experiencing such side-effects may not be healthy at all.

The more people I meet that are overweight, the more I realize just how frustrated they are with their current situation. Most people have tried repeatedly to lose weight and are still stuck or potential heavier. There are certain things when losing weight that need to be done on a consistent basis if you want to have any chance at weight loss and shedding those extra pounds. The need for losing the weight The fact is that overweight people are more prone for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. There is also the risk for having joint problems, personality disorder, inferiority complex, depression etc. There is a real need to work consistently towards weight loss, as the risk is way to important. The following lists are things that you should incorporate into your daily schedule. This over time will help you lose weight Get the help of the doctor to set goals No job can be accomplished in one go. Any work approached step by step will become easy, be it weight loss or weight gain. It is imperative to set goals while working on weight reduction. The goals set must be sensible and achievable. Setting a goal to reduce 3-5 kg per month may be possible and becomes a sensible goal. Trying to lose 20 kg per month is unrealistic. It is always better to get the help of the health professionals to set and achieve goals. Regardless of sex if you are active you will need just about 2500 calories per day in energy in. Inactive men and women will need about 2000 calories. If you eat 200 to 300 calories less everyday losing 1 pound per week is possible. Exercise Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day is a must for weight loss. The exercise can be anything like walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, aerobic dancing etc. but the exercise must be done regularly and continuously for a minimum of thirty minutes. The idea is nothing but using more energy than one eats. This way one will use the energy stored in the form of fat. If you can ensure that the exercise makes you sweat then you are on the right track. Eating less sugar and less fat Eating sugar and fat in excess really does nothing more then add more fat to the fat cells. If the body has no need to use the sugar and fat as energy it will store it for later use, which never comes. Every day pay attention to what you are eating and the contents of how much sugar and fat there is. If you can consciously limit sugar and fat everyday, you will be on your way to losing weight Eating wide variety of food Think about consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables every week. I know you don’t like them, well that is an issue you need to get over. High quantities of fruits and vegetables will go a long way at not only providing the nutrients your body needs, but they are very good for metabolism and help raise it so you can keep your weight loss moving forward and eventually balanced. Fad diets Fad diets are not the answer. Put all your diet books on the shelf and simply start eating better and doing more exercise. Do this consistently and your weight loss will be successful. By just following the points discussed above weight loss can be successful safely.

There are a number of weight loss programs you can join if you don’t want to lose weight on your own. Compare and evaluate several programs in your area to see what’s right for you before you make any financial commitment. In addition to the questions to ask below consider the distance from your home to the meeting (if any) location and accessability at all times of the year. Also consider getting a friend to join the program with you. Having a close friend join the same program helps to ensure that you will both participate in the meetings and hopefully support each other through all of your goals.

The best way to figure out whether a program is for you is to collect and compare information on different programs in your area. Before you sign up for any group weight-loss program, ask these questions and be sure you’re satisfied with the answers:

How long has the program been around?
What’s the total cost of the program, including and special food, supplements or other products.
What type of professionals – doctors, dietitians, nurses and counselors – provide their services to customers.
How often will you attend meetings or counseling sessions?
Is the program goal-oriented? Will you get help setting positive lifestyle change goals as well as weight loss goals?
How much weight can you expect to lose each week, and how long will it take you to reach your goal?
How will your weight loss be monitored?
If you’re over 35, does the program address your age group?
Does the program include any kind of physical activity recommendations?
Does the program address any special needs you might have, such as diabetes or a medical problem that prevent physical activity?
Is a weight maintenance plan included in the cost of the program- If so, what does the program provide?
Beware of any weight loss program that encourages a loss of more than one to two pounds a week after the first week. If you lose more rapidly than that you could end up with serious health problems.

If you find that a “group” program is not for you, then consider one of the many fine online diet programs available. They have the advantage as not being quite so costly as the “go to meeting” types of groups in addition to allowing you to progress at a rate and time that is more convenient for you.