The diet used by Princess Kate (bride of Prince William) and her mother to lose weight for the royal wedding has been in the news a lot lately. The Dukan Diet has a lot in common with Ideal Protein and seems to be based on many of the same principles, though there are differences.For one, Phase 1 (called the Attack Phase in the Dukan) is all protein. No veggies. It is also all live protein. A list of 100 foods include most of the same meats we on IP can eat. However, they also allow fat free dairy products. You can read more about the phases at the official Dukan Diet website
What I appreciate about the Ideal Protein Diet is the weekly weigh ins, coaching and, surprisingly---the IP foods. When I first went on the diet, I had enough hassle trying to think up different vegetables to prepare and eat----I appreciated not having to worry about the protein as well. My little shaker became my little friend.
However, one aspect of the Dukan that I found interesting is the oat bran---required on all 4 phases. Dr. Pierre Dukan writes in his book about the danger of cholesterol being released from the fat cells as we begin to lose weight. They then float around in our blood vessels and could---I say "could"---attach some place causing a stroke or heart attack. This is not to scare you---or me.
I am old enough to recall the big oat bran fad 25 years ago. Round cardboard containers with the picture of the peaceful Quaker guy flew off the grocery shelves. Like all fads, it subsided. While no one disproved the ability of the fiber in oats to reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream, drugs like Lipitor were much easier to digest than bowls of mush. Nevertheless, when I begin Phase 3 and am to incorporate whole grains into my breakfast, I think I will choose something with oats---it can't hurt.
