What is the Dukan diet for 7 days? A Guide to the Attack Phase

October 5, 2025 •

5 min read

Created by French physician Pierre Dukan, the Dukan diet is a multi-phase, high-protein plan designed for rapid weight loss, with studies showing significant results in the initial stages. This guide explores exactly what is the Dukan diet for 7 days, focusing on the strict but motivating Attack phase that kickstarts the program.

Quick Summary

A detailed look at the Dukan diet's 7-day Attack phase, a high-protein regimen for initiating weight loss, outlining the rules, allowed foods, and exercise guidelines.

Key Points

7-Day Attack Phase: The Dukan diet's 7-day plan is the initial, highly restrictive Attack phase, focused on kickstarting weight loss with only lean protein.
Pure Protein Focus: For 7 days, you can eat unlimited amounts of 68 different pure protein sources, including lean meats, fish, eggs, and nonfat dairy.
Mandatory Oat Bran and Water: The daily diet requires 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran for fiber and at least 1.5 liters of water to aid digestion and hydration.
Daily Exercise Required: A minimum of 20 minutes of brisk walking is recommended daily during this initial phase to boost weight loss.
Expect Initial Rapid Loss: The restrictive nature of the diet leads to quick, noticeable weight loss in the first week, largely due to water and fat reduction.
Potential Side Effects: Possible side effects include fatigue, bad breath, and constipation due to the extreme dietary changes.
Long-term Commitment Needed: The 7-day plan is just the beginning; sustained weight loss and maintenance require progressing through all four phases of the Dukan Diet.

What is the Dukan Diet?

Created in the 1970s by Dr. Pierre Dukan, the Dukan Diet is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, and low-fat eating plan structured into four distinct phases designed to promote weight loss and maintenance. The diet gained international popularity and has been followed by many seeking rapid results. The first phase, known as the Attack phase, is the most restrictive and typically lasts for 1 to 7 days, depending on your weight loss goals. For those with more than 40 pounds to lose, a 7-day duration is often recommended. This initial, short-term phase is what people typically refer to when they talk about a 7-day Dukan plan.

The Four Phases of the Dukan Diet

Before diving into the 7-day Attack phase, it's helpful to understand the full structure of the diet:

Attack Phase: The shortest and most aggressive phase, focusing exclusively on lean protein to jump-start weight loss. This is the stage that a 7-day regimen covers.
Cruise Phase: Introduces 32 non-starchy vegetables on alternating days with pure protein days. This phase continues until your goal weight is reached.
Consolidation Phase: A maintenance phase designed to prevent rebound weight gain by gradually reintroducing previously restricted foods, like fruits and whole grains.
Stabilization Phase: The final, lifelong phase, based on the principles of one pure protein day per week and increased daily oat bran intake.

The 7-Day Dukan Attack Phase Explained

The 7-day Dukan plan consists solely of the Attack phase. During this period, the diet is exclusively pure protein, with a mandatory intake of water and oat bran. The high protein content is intended to promote satiety and preserve muscle mass while the body shifts from burning carbohydrates to fat for energy, a state known as ketosis. The strict rules can lead to rapid initial weight loss, which can be highly motivating.

The 68 Pure Proteins

During the Attack phase, you can eat unlimited quantities of any of the 68 approved lean protein sources. These include:

Lean meats: Skinless chicken and turkey, lean ham, lean pork chops, and cuts like beef tenderloin.
Fish and shellfish: All types of fish (salmon, tuna, cod, halibut) and shellfish (shrimp, mussels, crab).
Eggs: Chicken, quail, or duck eggs.
Vegetarian proteins: Tofu, tempeh, and seitan.
Fat-free dairy: Yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk, with a daily limit of 32 ounces.

Daily Oat Bran and Water Intake

Two components are non-negotiable during the 7-day attack:

Oat Bran: A daily intake of 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran is required. Oat bran is high in soluble fiber and helps with digestion, regulating blood sugar, and creating a feeling of fullness. It can be mixed with yogurt or water.
Water: At least 1.5 liters (about 6.3 cups) of water per day is mandatory to help flush waste products and aid kidney function. Drinking plenty of water also helps with satiety.

The Importance of Exercise

Consistent, moderate exercise is an integral part of the Dukan Diet from the very beginning. For the 7-day Attack phase, a minimum of 20 minutes of brisk walking each day is recommended. This helps to burn calories and further supports weight loss.

Sample 7-Day Dukan Attack Phase Meal Plan

Here is a potential meal plan to follow for the 7-day Attack phase, with unlimited amounts of the allowed foods:

Day 1 (Monday):
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.
- Lunch: Roast beef slices with fat-free cottage cheese.
- Dinner: Grilled chicken breast.
Day 2 (Tuesday):
- Breakfast: Nonfat Greek yogurt with 1.5 tbsp oat bran.
- Lunch: Tuna salad (canned in water, no mayo).
- Dinner: Baked fish fillets.
Day 3 (Wednesday):
- Breakfast: Lean turkey sausage.
- Lunch: Shrimp skewers.
- Dinner: Lean hamburger patties (no bun).
Day 4 (Thursday):
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs.
- Lunch: Fat-free cottage cheese.
- Dinner: Steamed mussels.
Day 5 (Friday):
- Breakfast: Lean ham slices.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken breast with fat-free yogurt sauce.
- Dinner: Tuna steaks.
Day 6 (Saturday):
- Breakfast: Omelet with lean ham.
- Lunch: Fat-free Greek yogurt with 1.5 tbsp oat bran.
- Dinner: Roast beef.
Day 7 (Sunday):
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs.
- Lunch: Lean chicken deli meat rolls.
- Dinner: Any pure protein of choice, such as baked cod.

Note: Throughout the week, ensure you drink at least 1.5 liters of water daily and take your 1.5 tbsp of oat bran. Artificial sweeteners and sugar-free gelatin are also permitted.

Attack Phase vs. Cruise Phase: A Comparison


Feature	Attack Phase (Days 1-7)	Cruise Phase
Focus	Pure Protein (PP)	Pure Protein days alternating with Protein and Vegetable days (PV)
Foods	68 lean proteins only	68 lean proteins plus 32 non-starchy vegetables
Oat Bran	1.5 tablespoons per day	2 tablespoons per day
Exercise	20 minutes of brisk walking	30 minutes of brisk walking
Duration	1 to 7 days	Until goal weight is achieved (can be months)
Goal	Initiate rapid weight loss	Achieve goal weight steadily

Potential Challenges and Side Effects

The highly restrictive nature of the Attack phase means it is not without challenges. Some potential side effects include fatigue, constipation (despite the oat bran), bad breath, and headaches. These are often attributed to the lack of carbohydrates and fiber in the initial stages. It is important to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions. The diet is particularly not recommended for individuals with kidney disease due to the high protein load.

Conclusion: What to Expect from 7 Days on the Dukan Diet

A 7-day Dukan diet plan, which is the Attack phase in its entirety, is a short-term, aggressive strategy designed to trigger rapid weight loss and create a motivating initial push. By consuming only lean protein along with the mandatory oat bran and water, the body enters a state where it primarily burns fat for fuel. While this can lead to impressive initial results, it is a very restrictive approach with potential side effects. The success of the Dukan Diet relies on transitioning through all four phases, as the later stages are crucial for long-term weight maintenance and reintroducing a broader range of nutrients. Ultimately, for the 7 days to be truly effective, they must be the first step in a longer, more structured dietary journey.

For more detailed information on the Dukan Diet and its phases, an excellent resource is Everyday Health, which provides a comprehensive overview: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dukan-diet.aspx.

Frequently Asked Questions

Weight loss varies by individual, but the Attack phase is known for rapid initial loss, with some users reporting significant drops. This quick loss is often a combination of water weight and fat.

The Dukan diet is very restrictive and not recommended long-term due to nutrient limitations. The 7-day Attack phase is not balanced and has potential side effects, making it unsustainable for extended periods. It is meant only as a short-term kickstart.

During the Attack phase, all carbohydrates, fats, and most plant-based foods are forbidden, including fruits, starchy vegetables, grains, and nuts. Only the 68 pure proteins, oat bran, and a few additives are allowed.

The Attack phase is heavily reliant on animal protein. While soy products like tofu and tempeh are included in the allowed list, the extremely limited variety can make this phase challenging for vegetarians and nearly impossible for vegans.

Mandatory water intake of at least 1.5 liters per day is crucial. It helps the kidneys process the increased protein load, prevents dehydration, and flushes out waste products from ketosis.

After the 7-day Attack phase, you move on to the Cruise phase. This phase alternates between pure protein days and protein-and-vegetable days until you reach your goal weight.

Due to the drastic reduction in carbohydrates and fiber, common side effects include bad breath, fatigue, constipation, and headaches. These symptoms often subside as the body adapts.

The diet's restrictive nature and high protein intake can pose risks, especially for individuals with kidney or heart conditions. Consulting a doctor is recommended, particularly before undertaking any restrictive eating plan.