Saturday, March 19, 2011

Does the Dukan Diet work for weight loss?


Experts indicate that the diet does not involve calorie counting and includes options for vegetarians. The diet has specific meal plans and recipes. However, the diet plan is very limiting and even recommends dodging of healthy foods like fruits, grain and nuts. Unfortunately, most low carbohydrate diets are not sustainable and most people tend to quit after just one week. Moreover, eating only protein diets leads to mood swings, extreme irritability, constipation and bad breath
In addition, protein diets are not ideal for people who have kidney problems, gout, high cholesterol or liver problems. In conclusion, the dukan diet is nothing special. The weight loss seen in the first two phase is pure water and likely to be regained when normal eating habits are resumed. The diet book costs $25. If you want to lose the cheap way and avoid restrictions of dietary plans, just walk more and eat less.

How does the Dukan diet work?


The diet is managed in several phases. The first phase, which lasts 1-2 weeks, is the attack phase where one only consumes protein foods that do not contain fat or carbohydrates. The foods can be seasoned and one can drink ample water and caffeine containing beverages. If you maintain this, you can lose 7-10 pounds.

The next phase is the cruise phase where one alternates with proteins and vegetables. The choice of vegetable is severely limited to lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber and tomato. All vegetables are consumed either raw. steamed or in soups. You follow this phase until your target weight is reached. The author says people can lose at least 2 pounds a week in this phase.

In the 3rd phase, one maintains the proteins and vegetables but is allowed one portion of fruit as well as 2-slices of whole grain bread daily. In addition, an additional serving of a carbohydrate like pasta or rice is allowed each week. In this phase, you are also allowed one "party" meal each week, which is increased to two once if you are losing weight.

In phase 4 or stabilization phase, this will be the lifestyle diet. You can go back to eating whatever you like as long as you follow the rules of the 2nd phase. One day a week, you are supposed to eat only protein. Exercise is mandatory part of the diet program.

What is the Dukan diet for weight loss?


In the world of weight loss, the majority of diets have been developed by North Americans. This is of no coincidence because weight gain is a serious problem on this side of the continent. Now a French doctor has introduced the dukan diet, which has been quite popular in Europe for many years. Millions of people use the dukan diet for weight control and the diet is used by many celebs, including Giselle Bundchen, Bridget Bardot and Jennifer Lopez.
The dukan diet is centered around eating high protein foods, no fat and severely limits carbohydrates, including fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains and legumes. 

Sunday, March 6, 2011

I am a 5’.3” female, weigh 94 pounds and still can’t lose weight. I am exercising regularly and eat as little as I can. What else can I do?

How about some Prozac? You need to see a mental health professional. The problem is not with your body but your brain.

In general how many calories does one need everyday? I am a 27 years old female and weigh 149 pounds.

The calorie content is based on gender and weight. In general, the average non-obese individual will require anywhere from 1600-2200 calories. The higher number is for the slightly heavier person. Most experts go with the 1800 calories per day. To lose weight, one should cut down to about 1500 calories a day.

Are there any foods that will prevent hunger while i am on a diet?

Losing weight is difficult and no one knows how to cure the hunger pangs. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a suggestion- so here is my two cents worth. The ideal foods when you are trying to lose weight are fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. You really do not need to buy a book to know this. Eat raw vegetables and avoid too much lean meat. While nuts are recommended, they are also high in fat. So if you do munch on nuts, keep them to a minimum. If you eat vegetables and fruits, you really do not need to take any extra health supplements or vitamins.