What is the Dukan Diet?

The Dukan diet, invented by French nutritionist Dr Pierre Dukan, is a strict diet regime which focuses on high protein intake and the near elimination of fats and carbohydrates.

Similar to the Atkins diet, the plan is designed to put the body in to a state of ketosis, making the body attack its own fat reserves. However, the Dukan diet goes one step further than Atkins and not only bans carbohydrates in its initial phase, but also fats.

Buy The Dukan Diet book from Amazon

Does the Dukan Diet work?

Like many restrictive diet plans before it, the Dukan diet promises initial weight loss, but the strict nature of the diet means it can be hard to follow for any length of time.

The fact that all vegetables are off the menu for the first phase is also slightly concerning and hardly encourages sensible eating. We have read many horror stories over the years of dieters following strict diet regimes only to find out that they not only lose weight, but also vital nutrients leading to hair loss, brittle nails and bad skin. It goes without saying that malnutrition is not really the look most of us want to achieve.

The other problem is the fact the diet will need to be followed forever for the weight to stay off. This means that one day each week you will need to eat solely protein foods and no carbs or fats. Protein foods include fish, beef, turkey, and chicken. As you can imagine this can make for a very boring menu without vegetables, carbs or fats. This is even more restrictive if you enjoy breakfast cereal in the morning, try tucking into a piece of chicken instead!

Tesco Diets offer a range of different high protein, low carb diet plans similar in principle to the Dukan Diet. Visit Tesco Diets for more information.

Dukan Diet conclusion ***~~ (3/5)

While plans like Atkins and the Dukan diet can help you lose weight, most dieters find they are unable to keep it up for any length of time. This means that any fat loss is quick to come back, with the dreaded yo-yo dieting being a common complaint with diets which restrict certain food groups.

Our Recommendation

Although many people are quick to dismiss diet supplements to help them lose weight, it is worth bearing in mind that they are not all the same. While we do not advocate the use of products such as fat burners (which similar to the Dukan Diet would need to be taken forever to keep the weight off), we do hear a lot of positive feedback from dieters who use appetite suppressants to control how much they eat.

After all, lowering your daily calorie intake is still the best way to lose weight, and  means you can enjoy all the normal foods you like, albeit in much smaller portions.

Unlike typical diet supplements, appetite suppressants can quickly re-train long term eating habits by encouraging portion control, and stopping hunger and cravings from causing your diet to fail before it ever gets off the ground.

The added advantage is, appetite suppressants only need to be taken for a few months before the stomach adapts to its new level of food intake and you find you are unable to eat as much as before.

Our top recommendation for an all natural appetite suppressant is the excellent UniqueHoodia, a natural cactus plant extract clinically proven to lower your calorie intake, and promote weight loss.

Read more about Hoodia and weight loss

=======================================

Tags: dukan diet review, does the dukan diet work?

What is Lipotrim?

Lipotrim is a meal-replacement program that's based in the United Kingdom, and it is meant for the severely obese (those with a body mass index of 30 or greater). This is a long-term program that can only be used under the supervision of both a doctor and a pharmacist.

How Does Lipotrim work?

The Lipotrim program consists of three phases- loss, transition, and weight maintenance. It's meant to help people lose weight fast, and consists of meal replacements such as chicken and vegetable soups, pancake mixes, and flavoured drink mixes. While the program does indeed produce quick and substantial weight loss, most of the losses are short term in nature (meaning that most of the weight will pile back on once normal eating habits are resumed).

Lipotrim side effects

While Lipotrim is very effective for those that are seriously obese, its short-term weight loss makes it undesirable to some. Some users have reported feelings of dizziness, weakness, and hunger sufficient to make them ill, and that's why the program must be so closely supervised. Lipotrim isn't for the casual dieter- it requires not only a residence in the United Kingdom, it requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment. To make the Lipotrim program successful, you must visit your doctor once a week- and make sure that you eat and drink nothing but the meal replacement shakes.

Lipotrim alternative

Lipotrim, while proven effective for the most obese individuals, is not to be taken lightly. If you'd like to be able to minimize food cravings and lose excess weight safely, sensibly, and without undue sacrifice, you should try Unique Hoodia. With this product, all you get is pure, unadulterated South African hoodia, which has thousands of years' history as a potent and safe appetite suppressant. The extract of the hoodia succulent has been used by the San tribe of southern Africa for many years to curb thirst and hunger experienced during long hunts. Now, you can harness the weight-loss power of this organic plant.

Hoodia works by fooling the brain into thinking that the stomach is already full. This "full" feeling you get from taking Unique Hoodia helps you curb overeating, and therefore it helps you lose weight. You won't get any of the jittery aftereffects of some other diet aids, and best of all-it's available without a doctor's prescription.

If you are looking to minimize food cravings and take the weight off in a sensible manner, Unique Hoodia is worth looking into.

Read more about Unique Hoodia

=======================================================

What is a crash diet?

A crash diet or starvation diet is one which restricts you to a very low amount of calories, normally lasting no longer than a month, and which will almost always specify exactly what you eat (and possibly when you eat it). Doctors, medical experts, and nutritionists all agree that crash dieting is not an effective long term weight loss strategy.

But are they worth trying as a form of encouragement?

Well, it all depends on the individual but, generally, no. You will lose weight, but most of that weight loss will be fluid and muscle tissue loss, and your weight will go back up quite quickly when you stop your crash diet. Losing muscle tissue is not a good idea as muscle burns fat. This is one of the reasons a lot of people experience fat gain once the diet is over.

Crash diets can put you off dieting in the future

Crash diets are not sustainable and may also put you off the whole idea of trying to lose weight because they are so restrictive, will make you feel hungry and may also make you feel odd - being dizzy and faint are common complaints.

Crash diets can lead to yo-yo dieting

Crash diets can often lead to a pattern of yo-yo dieting; you don't want to go there. Plus, crash diets seem to encourage the loss of more muscle tissue than other weight loss options, and that's the opposite of what you want to happen. Better to accept that slow is best, right from the start.

Is there a better alternative to a crash diet?

Any diet which promotes rapid weight loss, through severe calorie restriction should be avoided, as they are almost impossible to follow for any length of time. Not to mention the long list of unwanted side effects associated with this type of diet plan. What you should be setting your sights on is long term weight loss.

So what really works?

Changing your eating habits - Many diets fail as they do not combat the underlying cause of weight gain in the first place - overeating. Many of us find it hard to control food cravings and once the diet is over, the weight soon comes back. To stop this cycle you will have to re-train your eating habits. One effective way to do this is by using an appetite suppressant.

Over the years, we have received a huge amount of positive feedback from dieters who have used natural Hoodia Gordonii extract to curb cravings and put a stop to binge eating. The great news is that the use of an appetite suppressant is normally only needed for a period of 6-8 weeks, before your regular eating habits begin to change for the better.

Hoodia Gordonii will cut your daily calorie intake by anywhere from 500 – 1500 kcals per day, and allow you to lose 2-3 lbs on a weekly basis. Once you reach a healthy weight, your fat loss will begin to slow down and the phasing out of Hoodia can begin. You will find that even after you have stopped using Hoodia, your will not be able to eat the amount you were used to as your eating habits will have changed.

Read more about how Hoodia works, and where to buy safe and 100% pure extract - Hoodia

Breakfasts (5g fat)

Mushrooms, bacon and toast
Grill 5 rashers un-smoked rindless bacon and serve with 1 thick slice of wholemeal toast topped with 100g/3½ oz chestnut mushrooms, fried in 2tsp low-fat spread.

Toasted teacake with strawberries (V)
Halve and toast 1 teacake and spread with 1tsp low-fat spread and 2tsp reduced-sugar jam. Plus strawberries.

Cereal and toast (V)
30g low-fat cereal with 150ml 1/2pt skimmed milk, plus 1 thick slice of wholemeal toast with 2tsp low-fat spread.

Toasted muffin with cream cheese (V)
Halve and toast 1 English wholemeal muffin. Spread with 25g/loz reduced- fat cream cheese.

Ham and mustard bagel with fruit
1 wholemeal bagel filled with 2tsp low-fat spread, a scraping of mustard and 50g/2oz wafer thin ham. Plus 1 kiwi fruit.

Toasted muffin and beans with yoghurt and apple (V)
Toast 1 wholemeal English muffin, spread with 2tsp low-fat spread and top with 150g/5oz baked beans, heated. Plus 100g pot low-fat yoghurt and apple.

Light Meals (approx 8g of fat)

Bean and coleslaw pica (V)
Fill 1 wholemeal pitta bread with 50g/2oz red kidney beans, canned and drained, 115g/4oz reduced-calorie coleslaw and unlimited 'free' salad.

Burger in a bun with banana and yoghurt
Grill a 50g/2oz low-fat burger and serve in a soft white roll with sliced tomato, lettuce and chopped onion. Follow with 1 small pot plain low-fat yoghurt and 1 small banana.

Cheese jacket potato with sorbet cone (V)
Bake a 200g/7oz potato (raw weight); fill with 40g/1 1/2oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated, and spring onions, sliced. Serve with unlimited 'free' vegetables.
Follow with 100g/312oz raspberry sorbet in an ice cream cone.

Ham salad roll
Spread 1 large wholemeal roll with 2tsp low-fat spread and fill with 50g/2oz lean ham and unlimited 'free' salad.

Vegetable stir-fry with yoghurt (V)
Boil 50g/2oz brown rice (raw weight). Heat 1tsp vegetable oil in a nonstick pan and stir-fry a section of 'free' vegetables, such as: bean sprouts, onions, peppers, carrots, and broccoli, until cooked. Serve with the rice and 1tbsp soy sauce. Plus 1 small pot low-fat bio fruit yoghurt.

Jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn
Bake a 200g/7oz potato (raw weight). Mix together 1tbsp sweetcorn, 150g/5oz tuna, drained of brine, and 2tbsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise and use to fill the potato. Serve with unlimited 'free' salad.

Main Meals (approx 15g fat)

Prawn and red pesto swirls
Cook 40g/1 1/2oz pasta swirls. Drain and toss in 1 1/2tbsp red pesto sauce. Add 40g/1 ½oz prawns, and 50g/1oz button mushrooms - lightly dry-fried in a nonstick pan to soften - and toss to coat them in the pesto. Season with pepper, 1tbsp chopped fresh coriander and the zest of 1 lemon. Serve warm with unlimited 'free' vegetables.

Bacon-wrapped chicken and soft cheese
Stuff a 150g/5oz skinless, boneless chicken breast (raw weight) with 25g/1oz reduced-fat cream cheese and wrap with 25g/1oz streaky bacon. Bake in a medium oven for at least 20 minutes and serve with unlimited 'free' vegetables

‘American hot’ pizza and salad (V)
Preheat the oven to 180OC/350OF/gas mark 4. Top a medium pizza base with 200g can chopped tomatoes, drained; mushrooms, sliced; spring onions, sliced; 1/2 red pepper, deseeded and sliced; 1tsp fresh chilli finely chopped; and 25g/1oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated. Bake for 10 minutes and serve with unlimited 'free' salad.

Bean chilli with ice cream (V)
Mix a 200g can chopped tomatoes and herbs 200g can mixed bean salad, 1tsp chilli powder, 1 crust garlic clove and pepper. Heat through thoroughly sprinkle with 25g/1oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese grated, and serve with 75g/3oz brown rice (raw weight) boiled. Plus 50g/2oz low-calorie vanilla ice cream.

Poached salmon
Serve 150g/5oz salmon fillet, poached, with 4 small new potatoes. Plus unlimited 'free' vegetables.

Ready meal with fruit (V)
15g fat ready meal, served with unlimited 'free' vegetables. Plus 1 orange.

Breakfasts (250 calories)

Bacon and tomato ciabatta roll
Slice a 50g/2oz ciabatta bread roll and fill with 2 lean rashers back bacon, grilled, 1 tomato, sliced, and 1tbsp tomato ketchup or brown sauce.

Fruit brioche (V)
Place a brioche roll, halved, on a grill pan and top with 50g/2oz defrosted summer fruit mixture (available from supermarkets). Drizzle 1 tsp runny honey over the top and place under a medium grill until warm.

Apricot muesli (V)
Mix 40g/1 l/2oz unsweetened muesli with 3 dried apricots and l50ml/l/4pt skimmed milk.

Toast and honey with fruit (V)
Spread 2 medium slices of wholemeal toast with 2tsp low-fat spread and 2tsp honey. Plus 1 kiwi fruit.

Poached egg with tomato (V)
Toast 50g/2oz crusty French bread and top with 1 medium egg, poached, plus 1 tomato, grilled.

Greek fruit salad (V)
Chop 1 orange and 1 small banana and mix with 50g/2oz cantaloupe melon.
Top with 1tbsp unsweetened muesli, 2tbsp fat-free Greek yoghurt and 1tsp runny honey.

Light meals (300 calories)

Tuna sandwich and crisps
Fill 2 medium slices wholemeal bread with 50g/2oz tuna, drained of brine, and unlimited 'free' salad. Plus big packet low-fat crisps.

Baked potato (V)
Bake a 200g/7oz potato (raw weight), and top with 65g/2oz reduced-fat houmous.

Ploughman's with yoghurt (V)
Serve 2 medium slices wholemeal bread with 25g/1oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, 2tsp pickle and unlimited 'free' salad. Plus 125g pot diet yoghurt.

Chicken Waldorf pitta
Combine 40g/1/2oz skinless chicken (cooked weight); 1 apple, chopped; 1tsp lemon juice; 2 sticks celery, chopped; 1/2 small onion, chopped; and 1tsp reduced-calorie mayo and use to fill 75g/3oz wholemeal pitta bread. Plus unlimited 'free' salad.

Bagel with fruit (V)
Fill 1 wholemeal bagel with 50g/2oz reduced-fat soft cheese and unlimited 'free' salad. Plus 1 kiwi fruit,

Soup with fromage frais
Heat 295g can Weight Watchers from Heinz Minestrone Soup and serve with 50g/2oz wholemeal roll. Plus 1 small banana and 100g pot diet fromage frais.

Main meals (counting calories – 350kcals)

Roast pork with Satsuma
Serve 75g/3oz lean roast pork, 75g/3oz roast potatoes, and 2tbsp unsweetened apple sauce with unlimited 'free' vegetables and 4tbsp fat-free gravy. Plus 1 satsuma.

Fish and chips with fromage frais
Grill 1 cod fishcake and serve with 115g/4oz low-fat oven chips, 75g/3oz garden peas and 1tbsp tomato ketchup. Plus 100g pot diet fromage frais.

Pasta and tomato sauce with apple (V)
Cook 50g/2oz wholewheat pasta and combine with 1/2 x 475g jar of light pasta sauce. Sprinkle with 2tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated, and serve with unlimited 'free' vegetables. Plus 1 apple.

Ready meal with fromage frais
300 calorie ready mealy served with unlimited “free” vegetables. Plus 100g pot diet fromage frais.

Bruschetta and salad (V)
Place 1 red pepper, deseeded and thickly sliced; 2 plum tomatoes, halved; 1 courgette, sliced; and 2 shallots, peeled and halved, on a baking tray and brush with 1tsp olive oil. Sprinkle with fresh basil, chopped, and black pepper. Place in a hot oven for 20 minutes. Warm a 50g/2oz slice of ciabatta bread and spread with 2tsp pesto sauce. Pile on the roasted vegetables and juices. Serve with unlimited 'free' salad.

Egg florentine (V)
Lightly steam 200g/7oz spinach until the leaves wilt, then place in an ovenproof dish. At the same time poach 1 medium egg, and carefully place on top of spinach. Sprinkle with 25g/1oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated. Grill until melted and serve with 50g/2oz French bread.

Whether you're just starting your diet or you've hit a plateau, use this no-nonsense, three-day eating plan to get you on track and lose up to 3lb in three days!

Here's what to do -

•    Decide whether you want to count calories or fat grams. There are two diet plans so you can choose whether to count calories or fat intake.

•    Choose a different breakfast, light meal and main meal each day to ensure you get a wide variety of nutrients, but don't switch between the calorie and fat plans.

•    Every day have 275ml/1/2pt skimmed milk for tea and coffee or to drink on its own. This is on top of any milk that appears in the meals. If you prefer, you may have two small pots of diet yoghurt instead. Milk and yoghurt are sources of calcium - essential for healthy bones - so don't miss out on this allowance.

•    You may drink unlimited amounts of water, black tea and coffee, herbal teas, Bovril, Marmite and diet or low-calorie soft drinks.

•    As well as your three meals you may also have unlimited amounts of most vegetables, see the 'Free' vegetables section below.

•    Where a fruit option is included with a meal you may save it to eat separately as a snack.

•    All teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements should be level.

'Free' vegetables

You may eat unlimited amounts of the following vegetables - artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, bean sprouts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, garlic, gherkins, green beans, leeks, lettuce, mangetout, marrow, mushrooms, onions, peppers, pumpkins, radish, spinach, spring greens, suede, tomatoes turnip and watercress.

How much weight will I lose?

Follow this diet and you can expect to lose around 3lb in three days.

Each daily menu, including the milk allowance, provides 1,000 calories or 28g of fat. This plan is designed to get your healthy eating off to a good start or to help you shift a few stubborn pounds.

The calorie/fat allowance is very low, so don't follow it for any longer than three days, as you'll be losing muscle as well as fat, which isn't good for your health.

Are you counting calories or fat?

Choose which diet plan you want to follow to start –

Low calorie diet plan or Low Fat diet plan.