Dukan Diet: The Real Reason French Women Don't Get Fat?

After that period -- which lasts between one and 10 days -- you can start alternating protein-only days with protein and veggie days in what's called the 'cruise' phase. 

Once you're at your ideal weight, you can start to slowly include things like fruits and breads back into your diet, but you have to agree to have one protein-only day a week. Dukan suggests Thursdays.

But wait -- here's the best part: Once you're in the maintenance phase -- also called the consolidation phase -- you're required to have two no-holds-barred celebration meals a week. It's the doctor's orders. "I couldn't stand the idea of putting people on a diet for life," Dukan told to the Daily Mail. That would be impossible -- there is far too much pleasure to be had in eating!" 

Dukan got the idea for the diet when a friend of his lost a startling amount of weight on a diet of only protein and water. The results caused him to change his area of specialty from neurology to nutrition, and he's been working on the Dukan Diet ever since. "It has become clear to me over the years that calorie counting does not work -- dieters' brains don't work like that," he said of his motivation for finding a diet solution that could be maintained for life. 

But if it's so great, why haven't we heard of it? Until now, the Dukan Diet has only been available in France, but the English version is set to be released next month. Still, don't forget rule number one of weight loss -- be sure to talk to your doctor first before trying this or any other diet, especially when it involves a dramatic change to your eating habits. 

Want to know why low-carb diets are so effective? Jonny Bowden explains why cutting down on carbs really works.