The Dukan Diet by Pierre Dukan Read Free Book Online Page B

comes out salty and full of waste. Adding the powerful effect of burning up pure proteins to this expulsion of salt and waste brings about definite, even if modest, results. This is a rare achievement and sets this diet apart from most others, which have no specific effect on cellulite.
    When Should You Drink Water? People still cling to old wives’ tales that would have you believe that it is best not to drink at mealtimes to avoid food’s trapping the water. Not only does this idea have no physiological basis, in many cases it makes things worse. Not drinking while you eat, at a time when you naturally get thirsty and when drinking is so easy and enjoyable, may result in your suppressing your thirst. Then, when you are busy later on with your daily activities, you may forget to drink water for the rest of the day. During the Dukan Diet and especially during the alternating proteins phase, except in cases of exceptional water retention caused by hormonal or kidney problems, it is absolutely essential to drink 1½ quarts of water a day. If possible, drink mineral water, or take it in any other liquid form such as tea, herbal tea, or coffee.
    Have a cup of tea at breakfast, a large glass of water midmorning, 2 more glasses and a coffee at lunch, 1 glass during the afternoon, and 2 glasses with dinner and you have easily downed 2 quarts. Many patients have told me that in order to drink when they were not thirsty, they got into the habit of drinking directly from the bottle, and this worked better for them.
    Which Water Should You Drink?
Mineral water
. The most suitable waters for the pure protein Attack phase are mineral waters low in sodium, which are slightly diuretic and laxative. Among the best-known mineral waters are Evian, Poland Spring, Fiji Water, Voss, Saratoga Springs, and Perrier, the famous sparkling variety. You should avoid San Pellegrino, which is good but contains too much sodium to be drunk in large quantities.
    Tap water . If you drink tap water, then continue to do so. It is far more important to drink enough water to get your kidneys working again than it is to worry about what is in the water you are drinking.
    Tea . The same holds true for all the various sorts of teas, green teas, and herbal teas, especially in colder weather.
    Diet soda . In the case of diet sodas, I consider them all to be great allies in the fight against weight problems (or excess weight) as long as they have no more than 1 calorie per glass. As far as I am concerned, not only do I allow them, but I recommend them and for several reasons.
    First of all, diet sodas are often the best way to make sure you drink the 1½ quarts of liquid already mentioned. In addition, they have virtually no calories or sugar. Finally, and above all, a carbonated beverage like Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Zero, the market-leading brand, provides a clever mix of intense flavors, which can reduce the craving for sugar if used repeatedly by those who like snacking on sweet things.
    Many of my patients have confirmed that diet sodas were fun and comforting when used as a part of their diet and actually helped them. The sole exception regarding diet sodas is in the case of a dieting child or teenager. It has been proved that substituting “fake” sugar barely reduces their craving for sugar. Furthermore, unlimited use of sweet-tasting carbonated drinks might form a habit of drinking without thirst and just for pleasure.
    Water Is Naturally Filling As you know, we often associate the sensation of an empty stomach with being hungry, which is not entirely wrong. Water drunk during a meal and mixed with food increases the total volume of the food mass and stretches the stomach, creating the feeling of a full stomach, the first sign of satisfaction and satiety. This is another reason for drinking at mealtimes. However, experience proves that keeping the mouth busy works just as well in between meals—for example, during the danger zone in your day, between 5 p.m.