Essay about Dukan Diet

Essay about Dukan Diet The French nutritionist and dietician, Pierre Dukan, designed a diet plan, which involved the intake of proteins and has been named as the â€Å"Dukan Diet†. This diet plan suggests that when man was living in the hunting and gathering society they were healthier because of their eating habits; consequently, Dukan introduced this specific diet plan. The nutritionist has specified 100 food items consisting of 72 items that are sourced from animals and 28 are made from plants. The individual who attempts to follow this diet routine may consume as much as he/she wants of these 100 items. There are four phases that an individual would undergo as part of this diet plan. The first phase is the attack phase. The second phase is the cruise phase, and the third and fourth phases are the consolidation and stabilization phase respectively. (Makris Foster, 2011) According to Schenker (2012), a survey was conducted and took interview conception about the effectiveness of the Dukan diet. The survey basically examined the diet on a basis of 7 categories including; short term weight loss, long term weight loss, ease in following, nutritional value, safety, diabetes, and heart health. According to experts, this diet plan was potent for a short term weight loss strategy; however, they have been critical of this diet plan because it severely lacked in nutritional value. The first phase or the attack phase attempts to reduce up to 2 to 3 kilograms within 2 to 10 days. However, this weight loss may be contiguous in the first few weeks this would slow down gradually and reduce to 2 to 4 pounds a week. In the long term, dieticians believe that the Dukan diet is next to ineffective. The restrictions placed upon the individual by the diet plan are hard to follow; therefore, people are unable to reap benefits in the form of weight loss through this diet plan in the long-run. Consequently, experts have rated this diet as the second most difficult diet to follow and sustain. Thus, people are unable to adhere to the several restrictions the diet places upon an individual. (Pagoto Appelhans, 2013) Even though the Dukan diet claims to subdue diabetes, there are no indications that would support this claim. Henceforth, proficient doctors suggest that due to a lack of research and evidence no doctor or nutritionist can claim to improve diabetic health through the use of this diet plan. According to experts, the Dukan diet has the minimal ability to prevent or cure cardiovascular diseases. A balance of nutrients combined with exercise is the ideal way to consume a healthy meal. A strict adherence to a non-carbohydrate and high protein diet may actually be the fundamental reason of many illnesses. One of the very first signs of consuming only proteins is the lack of energy a person may experience that may also cause him/her to feel sleepy most of the times. Even though, carbohydrates may be reduced by the dieter but some proportion of carbohydrates are essential for a healthy body. (Hansel et al, 2011) There are no cited proofs of the Dukan diet contributing towards a healthy heart or reduction in diabetes. Even though, weight loss may be achievable as a result of following this diet plan strictly, but any slight digression from the plan may negate the positive effects. Complete reliance on proteins may bring about other negative side effects that may only be visible in the future. Doctors and nutritionists emphasize the need for a balanced diet and the proportion of every meal as these factors play a greater role in weight loss. However, none of this may be accomplishable through diet alone, but exercise must be done regularly. References Hansel, B. B., Giral, P. P., Coppola-Xaille, A. A., Monfort, G. G., Regnault, M. M., Bruckert, E. E. (2011). Lenquete Internet nationale [much less than] Dukan, et apres ? [much greater than] : premiers resultats.  Obesite, (3), 146 Makris, A., Foster, G. D. (2011). Dietary Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity.  Psychiatric Clinics Of North America,  34(Obesity and Associated Eating Disorders: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals), 813-827. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2011.08.004 Pagoto, S. L., Appelhans, B. M. (2013). A Call for an End to the Diet Debates.  JAMA: Journal Of The American Medical Association,310(7), 687. Schenker, S. S. (2012). An overview of the role of rice in the UK diet.  Nutrition Bulletin,  37(4), 309-323. doi:10.1111/j.1467-3010.2012.02002.x