healthy body tips

It is always hard to predict the front end of a trend, and never more so than in the diet realm. But we seem to like to celebrate, talk about, embrace, and test out diet programs. Given that it is time to get ready for shorts and bathing suit weather, it just may be time to jump on a new bandwagon, hopefully finding success in something new. And will that new be the Dukan Diet?

According to magazine Marie Claire, Jennifer Lopez and Gisele Bundchen both reportedly turned to the new French Dukan Diet, to help shift those post-pregnancy pounds. And now rumors are swirling that princess-to-be Kate Middleton may be turning to this diet plan to prepare for her upcoming nuptials. This diet, which originated in France by nutritionist Dr. Pierre Dukan, is living large in over 1. 5 million French households, where women appear to be finding success.

There are four stages to the Dukan Diet, which incorporate some of the best of the best diet strategies. Phase one, the Attack Stage, is a high-protein, no-carb approach, a stricter version of Atkins Diet Plan and South Beach Diet Plan. There is a list of 72 protein-rich foods to choose from during this week of dieting.

The second phase alternates a high-protein diet with a vegetarian diet on alternate days (also call the Cruising Stage). In addition to the aforementioned 72 protein-rich foods, there is the addition of 28 low-carb vegetables.

Next up is a Consolidation Stage in which carbs are added back into your daily diet in small amounts to avoid weight gain. You are allowed two celebration meals per week and the goal is 1 pound for every 5 days in this stage.

Finally, once you have reached your goal weight, the Stabilization Stage kicks in. This fourth and final phase has a bit of a twist: you can eat what you want every day except one day per week (designated as Thursday) when you revert to the Attack Stage and eat a high-protein, no-carb regimen. Dr. Dukan believes that by taking off the weight this way and remaining true to the Stabilization Stage, that you can remain at your goal weight for life.

A book, based on the diet, is available in French in Europe and has been translated into 10 other languages. An English U.K. version was released in May of 2010, and had already hit the #1 spot in the diet, women’s health, and men’s health categories before even being released.Amazon U.S. shows that the book should be available any day.

While you wait for this book to become available and become part of a trend in 2011, you can find similar diets that can help you on your weight loss journey with a few quick clicks. Visit the Diet Reviews and test out our Individual Diet Selection tool, which can help find the right diet for your lifestyle.