Review: `Your diet is only limited as much as your imagination `
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2014
Katerina Black is listed as the author for this book presented by Samuel Breeze and it is a signal that the Dukan Diet is still growing in popularity. The purpose of this book is to provide recipes that are not only essential components of a successful Dukan Diet but also are easy to prepare and very delicious! But first a bit about the Dukan Diet, for those unfamiliar with the term.The book opens with a careful but accessible explanation of the concept of the Dukan Diet. It is a high protein diet and not unlike the Paleo Diet and Atkins Diet. The Dukan Diet, also known as the princess diet, is a diet plan originating in France. It is a protein-based diet designed by French doctor Pierre Dukan who in 1975 as a general practitioner in Paris was first confronted with a case of obesity. At the time, being overweight or obese was thought to be best treated by low calorie and small sized meals. Dukan thought of an alternative way to prevent patients from regaining their lost weight. He designed a new approach in 4 phases, including stabilization and consolidation. After more than 20 years of research Pierre Dukan published his findings in 2000 in his book `Je ne sais pas maigrir' (`I don't know how to get slimmer'). The concept: Counting calories isn't the key to weight loss. Protein is. It's a weight-loss powerhouse  - it's filling, takes time and work to digest, and has very few calories for each gram of food. When protein supplies the majority of a diet, and fats and carbs are all but squeezed out, fast weight loss ensues. (Limiting carbs, the body's preferred energy source, forces the body to turn to an alternative fuel - stored fat.) You'll move from the all-you-can-eat, pure protein "Attack" phase to "Cruise," which allows selected vegetables on selected days. In the third phase, "Consolidation," you'll add more foods that by now you're longing for, such as cheese and bread. By the last phase, "Permanent Stabilization," you're relatively free. With just a few (very crucial and very specific) parting rules, you're permitted to eat anything you want, but have one pure protein day a week, eat 3 tablespoons of oat bran a day, use the stairs rather than the elevator. Expand this section for more on each phase.What follows is a presentation of the foods that are allowable - and there are some fine surprises here. Then we are presented with recipes for the Attack Phase, Cruise Phase, Consolidation Phase, and Stabilization Phase.  There are bonus dessert recipes as a little reward for completing the above mentioned rules and regs.This is an excellent little book, not cluttered with photographs but brimming over with useful information and instructions - and some fabulous recipes! Grady Harp, May 14