There's no doubt that the duch*ess of Cambridge leads a very active lifestyle. From touring through countries to attending social events, Kate Middleton has her hands full when it comes to taking on her responsibilities as a member of the British Royal Family. Even at 40, she looks as beautiful and stunning as she did on her wedding day back in 2011 and since then she has given birth to three most adorable children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
So are you also wondering how the duch*ess keeps so fit all the time? Although Kate has not confirmed anything, reports claim she followed the Dukan Diet before her wedding with Prince William and after childbirth so as to lose some excess weight. Find out what it is!
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What is the Dukan Diet?
The Dukan Diet is a diet made popular by a French general practitioner, Dr. Pierre Dukan in the 1970s. This diet regime was inspired by an obese patient of his who claimed he could give up on any food to lose weight, except meat, which is why it is a high-protein, low-carb diet, divided into four phases.
A four-step diet
There are four phases to the Dukan Diet. It includes:
Attack: This phase lasts from day 2 to day 5 where you're allowed to eat unlimited lean protein and low-fat foods. You have up to 68 food choices including chicken, eggs and low-fat yogurt.
Cruise: The cruise phase lasts for a month to 12 months. It comprises alternate eating of lean meat on one day and non-starchy veggies such as leafy greens and cucumbers on the other.
Consolidation: This phase aims to maintain the weight already lost. For 5 days for every pound lost in phases 1 and 2, you can have unlimited lean protein and veggies, some carbs and fats. It also requires 25 minutes of exercise per day.
Stabilization: The last phase requires you to continue following the consolidation phase but you can be lenient with the diet as long as you maintain your weight.
Benefits of following the Dukan Diet
The Dukan Diet is said to facilitate rapid weight loss, which could be great for some people. In this diet programme, you can avoid the trouble of counting calories or weighing the food. Due to its high-protein content it is filling and satisfying. This type of diet is great for those looking to maintain their weight.
Downsides
Some of the disadvantages of the diet is that it comes with several rules. The strict rules make it difficult for people to follow it for a long time. Since its restrictive, you may fall short of certain nutrients. People who are obese and overweight may notice drastic weight loss, however, maintaining it could be a task.
Foods to eat
During different phases of the diet regime, you're allowed to eat different types of foods.
Attack phase:
- Lean meat
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Fish and Shellfish
- Soy, tofu, seitan
- Fat-free dairy like cottage cheese, milk
- Water
- 2 tbsp Oat bran
Cruise phase:
- Lean meat
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Fish and Shellfish
- Soy, tofu, seitan
- Fat-free dairy like cottage cheese, milk
- Non-Starchy vegetables such as leafy greens, root vegetables, mushroom
- 2 tbsp oat bran
Consolidation phase:
- One serving of fruits such as berries, apple, orange, pear
- Two slices of whole grain bread
- One serving cheese
- 1-2 serving of starches per week
- Meat servings 1–2 times per week
- 2 tbsp oat bran per day
Stabilization phase:
- There are no foods that are off-limits, but you can stick to following the guidelines for the consolidation phase.
- You can continue eating 2 tbsp oat bran per day
- Be more active
