Dukan Diet Side Effects
The Dukan diet is efficient, but like almost every other diet method, it has side effects you should watch out for.
1. Bad Breath
While we all understand that the body will be short of carbs during the Dukan diet, it will eventually lead to the Ketosis process, where the fat is burnt instead of the carbs to fuel the body’s energy requirements.
So, as the body is in Ketosis, it will lead to issues like bad breath and fatigue.
A Chemical known as Acetone is produced due to high protein consumption and has a foul smell.
This then leads to destructive breath issues in the body and you have to keep chewing certain mint gums and sugar-free mouth fresheners to stabilize the same.
2. Severe Electrolyte imbalance
Electrolyte imbalance
Electrolyte imbalance can undoubtedly be quoted as one of the most significant side effects of a Dukan diet, which you may experience during the first phase of the Dukan diet.
This is known as a stage where the body cannot release toxins on a steady basis due to the low consumption of carbs and fibers.
During the same time, you may come across issues like diarrhea or constipation. To combat the same issue, you must carry on the oat bran intake for about 1-2 tablespoons.
The same oat bran intake can be increased to around 3 tablespoons in the rest of the phases. You must also drink a lot of water to keep your body relaxed and hydrated at the same time.
3. The Induction flu
The Dukan diet is infamous for its side effects, which are caused by low carbs consumption.
Induction flu is on the list, generally caused by a sudden withdrawal of carbs and fat content in the body.
You may come across issues like fever, nausea, lack of concentration, headache and so on. Most of these issues occur during the attack phase of the Dukan diet.
4. Other severe health issues
Once you get along with a Dukan diet (the attack phase, to be specific), you may also come across severe irregular bowel movements in the process.
The high consumption of lean meat proteins can cause this. Although you can control them by ensuring a daily intake of oat bran in your diet, health issues are unavoidable.
You will also initially face a lack of antioxidants in the body, caused by the absence of items like fresh fruits, veggies and wholesome grains.
This will then lead to issues like indigestion and constipation.
Also, a lack of antioxidants in the body for a more extended period can result in severe health conditions like cancer, heart issues, cataracts and even premature aging.
Many talks are going around regarding various diet plans and their crucial role in letting us shed some good weight, but still, not every diet comes with the same effectiveness.
This is where making the right decision about picking the best diet for your weight loss or fitness goals holds the key.
So, as we discuss various diet plans making their way into people’s lives, the much-trending Dukan diet certainly needs a mention.
Although many people have found it quite similar to the “Atkins Diet plan”, the Dukan diet comes with its pros and cons.
What is a Dukan diet?
The Dukan diet is a diet plan that includes consuming lean protein and a particular portion of oat bran over a required period.
You are not allowed to consume any carbohydrates, which becomes more challenging for everyone.
This diet was invented by French nutritionist and practitioner Pierre Dukan, who claimed it was the best diet plan for anyone who is on a weight loss diet regimen.
How does this diet plan work?
Most overweight people come with a lot of fat around their body, creating further health issues like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Once they get along with regular weight loss diet plans, it takes them ages to cut down the existing fat.
This is where a Dukan diet works perfectly as it lowers the carb content in the body, which then puts the body into the Ketosis stage.
During this stage, the body uses fat instead of carbs to fuel the energy requirements.
Eventually, your body will start burning the existing fat quickly and soon. You will be able to achieve your weight loss goals efficiently.
Moreover, the Dukan diet consists of four stages, which are divided as follows:
The Attack phase
This phase includes the person following a strict diet containing a lot of lean proteins and a bit of oat bran as the only source of carbs.
The Dukan diet phase lasts for around 5-10 days and you only have 72 high-on protein foods to pick from. Lean protein generally includes lean meat, Egg whites and chicken breast.
The Cruise phase
The person needs to get along with the same lean protein diet regimen, and now he can include some extra carbs in the form of fresh veggies on every alternative day.
This diet phase stays until the person has achieved their weight loss goals and, thus, can last around for several months.
The Consolidation phase
In addition to the already going diet regimen, the person can now include fresh fruits and certain dairy items in their daily diet.
Also, they can add some ‘cheat meals’ or ‘Celebration meals” twice a week where they can eat whatever they like.
The Stabilization phase
If you have not gained weight after adding those extra carbs, the person on the Dukan diet plan can now switch to the stabilization phase, where they can carry on with their regular diet and a day every week per the attack phase rules.
They are also required to walk every day for around 20 minutes and eat 3 tablespoons of oat bran daily.
Although the Dukan diet has proved its worth in helping people achieve their weight loss goals, the diet also has specific side effects to cope with.
All these side effects have proved that this Dukan diet is not for everyone. Hence, a person must take strict precautions and medical advice before starting a Dukan diet.
With that said, let’s look at all the side effects of a Dukan diet.
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