Dukan vs Atkins. Which one is better?

The objectives of these two diets are really similar, in fact they are the same. The goal is to lose weight quickly and modify the lifestyle that people have with their long-term diet, in this way to significantly avoid weight gain.

When it comes to meeting the objectives, each of its creators chooses different paths. On the one hand, Dukan focuses on maximum protein consumption and reducing carbohydrates and Atkins recommends the reduction of carbohydrates.

Which diet is better Atkins or Dukan

The Atkins Diet and the Dukan Diet are both popular low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets that share some similarities but also have distinct differences. Here are key differences between the Atkins Diet and the Dukan Diet:

1. Phases:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • The Atkins Diet consists of four phases – Induction, Balancing, Pre-Maintenance, and Maintenance.
    • The Induction phase severely restricts carbohydrate intake to kickstart ketosis.
    • The subsequent phases gradually reintroduce carbohydrates based on an individual’s tolerance.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • The Dukan Diet comprises four phases – Attack, Cruise, Consolidation, and Stabilization.
    • The Attack phase focuses on lean protein and allows for 68 high-protein foods.
    • The Cruise phase introduces vegetables on specific days, alternating with protein-only days.

2. Food Types:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Allows for a more varied diet, including vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dairy.
    • Focuses on individual carbohydrate tolerance, allowing a higher intake of certain carbohydrates during later phases.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Primarily emphasizes lean proteins in the initial phases.
    • Introduces vegetables gradually but restricts certain starchy vegetables and fruits.

3. Fat Intake:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Permits a higher intake of healthy fats, including avocados, nuts, and oils.
    • Does not restrict fat intake.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Emphasizes lean proteins, with lower fat content.
    • Encourages minimal use of added fats.

4. Induction Phase:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Focuses on achieving ketosis through very low carbohydrate intake (typically less than 20-25 grams per day).
    • Allows for high-fat and moderate protein intake.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • The Attack phase concentrates on high-protein intake but does not emphasize ketosis.

5. Duration:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Can be followed for an extended period, with the option to maintain a low-carb lifestyle.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Intended to be followed in distinct phases, with the later phases promoting a more balanced and sustainable approach.

6. Exercise:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Encourages exercise for overall health but does not make it a central focus.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Recommends incorporating physical activity, particularly during the Cruise and Consolidation phases.

7. Creator and Origin:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Developed by Dr. Robert Atkins, an American cardiologist.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Created by Dr. Pierre Dukan, a French nutritionist.

8. Criticisms:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Criticized for potentially allowing unhealthy fats and not emphasizing the quality of carbohydrates.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Criticized for being too restrictive in the initial phases and potentially lacking certain nutrients.

9. Maintenance Phase:

  • Atkins Diet:
    • Ongoing carbohydrate intake management for weight maintenance.
  • Dukan Diet:
    • Stabilization phase focuses on maintaining the achieved weight through a balanced diet.

Both the Atkins Diet and the Dukan Diet share a low-carbohydrate approach but differ in their phases, food emphasis, and maintenance strategies. Choosing between them depends on individual preferences, dietary goals, and adherence to specific principles. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive diet to ensure it aligns with individual health needs.


Each of these diets is effective. It is not a matter of who is better, but what is the diet that your body needs, it has been shown that what is important is the diet that your body needs, because when it is subjected to a diet, large nutrients are lost to the body. that he is used to

The Atkins diet can help you and the Dukan diet can be very effective, but both support your theories, so that each of the people involved will have to take the same precautionary measures as in all diets.

Which diet is better Atkins or Dukan

Differences between Atkins and Dukan

Phase 1:

In this first phase of Dukan’s diet it is known as “attack phase” while for Atkins it is the “induction phase”. In this period foods with a high protein index should be consumed and carbohydrates and fats eliminated. With Atkins only carbohydrates should be reduced.

Phase 2:

This is known as the “cruise phase” in the Dukan diet, its main objective is to get the desired weight and vegetables can be eaten. At Atkins this phase is where carbohydrates are increased from 5 mg to 10 mg.

Phase 3:

This is the “consolidation phase” in the Dukan diet and in the Atkins diet it is the “pre-maintenance phase”. In Dukan the maintenance period begins to definitively establish the changes achieved in the cruise phase.

In Atkins the body is prepared to stay for a while, carbohydrates are reduced considerably to obtain the ideal weight that all people wanted.

Phase 4:
This is known as the “stabilization phase” in Dukan and the “maintenance for life” with the Atkins diet, here we show what were the short, medium and long term achievements of the diet. If it was carried out with a strict regimen, the eating habits will not be the same and it does not have a rebound effect.