Dukan Do's or Don'ts?

[Brownie_Earthquake]

Looking for the experts here!

There are some products I have been looking at that are apparently OK according to some online resources but not particularly covered in the book.

Perhaps someone here may be able to give some insight into how acceptable these are:


Star Kay White - Fat Free Chocolate Extract
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Chocolate-Extract-4-oz/dp/B000FCI6JU
Ingredients: Water, Alcohol (46.5%), Chocolate Extract

Supercook Flavourings - Almond/Vanilla/Peppermint
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Flavouring.

Star Kay White Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom Extract
http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Star-Kay-White-Rose-Water/40696011
Ingredients: Alcohol, Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Natural Oil of Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom

Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html[/URL]
Per teaspoon: 15kCal, Sugar - Trace, Fat - 0.7g, Sat Fat - 0.4g, Salt - Trace

Sugar Free Mallows
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Maltitol Syrup, Insomalt, Water, Pork Gelatine, Maize Starch, Colour, Flavouring, Lactic Acid.
Each: 5kCal, Fat - Trace, Sat Fat - Nil, Sugar - Trace, Salt - Nil

Marvel Skimmed Milk Powder - OK according to the book!
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Shelf_Milk/Cadbury_Marvel_Dried_Skimmed_Milk_340g.html
Ingredients: Dried Skimmed Milk
Per Pint: 198kCal, Fat - 0.3g, Sat Fat - 0.2g, Sugar - 20.3g, Salt - 0.8g


Personally I have had a lot of use from the Marvel Milk Powder and occasionally the Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, but I'm wondering how OK it really is - even though the milk powder is OK according to the book.

I thought generally the extracts would be OK, because they have the same essential ingredients as vanilla extract does.

Any advice much appreciated before I go shopping for a ton of things that I am not allowed to have

 

[robinhood]

Looking for the experts here!

There are some products I have been looking at that are apparently OK according to some online resources but not particularly covered in the book.

Perhaps someone here may be able to give some insight into how acceptable these are:


Star Kay White - Fat Free Chocolate Extract
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Chocolate-Extract-4-oz/dp/B000FCI6JU
Ingredients: Water, Alcohol (46.5%), Chocolate Extract

I would say no because of the alcohol percentage, but I suppose if it's a drop or two then could be used as tolerated (don't know how much you'd be using?) You'd need to cook to burn off the alcohol though if there's a lot.

Supercook Flavourings - Almond/Vanilla/Peppermint
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Flavouring.

Ditto, but I know from using these that it literally is a drop needed, so personally, I would. It's not as if it would be for every meal!

Star Kay White Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom Extract
http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Star-Kay-White-Rose-Water/40696011
Ingredients: Alcohol, Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Natural Oil of Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom

No, I'd not use this - alcohol and oil in ingredients.


Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html[/URL]
Per teaspoon: 15kCal, Sugar - Trace, Fat - 0.7g, Sat Fat - 0.4g, Salt - Trace

How much in weight is a tsp? I'm gussing a couple of grammes as it is very light. I don't think it's low enough in fat and the carb content (apart from the sugar) isn't mentioned (proper cocoa should be unsweetened but not carb-free). I don't think I would use this.

Sugar Free Mallows
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Maltitol Syrup, Insomalt, Water, Pork Gelatine, Maize Starch, Colour, Flavouring, Lactic Acid.
Each: 5kCal, Fat - Trace, Sat Fat - Nil, Sugar - Trace, Salt - Nil

Too many weird ingredients for me, also cornflour and sugar. I'd say no.


Marvel Skimmed Milk Powder - OK according to the book!
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Shelf_Milk/Cadbury_Marvel_Dried_Skimmed_Milk_340g.html
Ingredients: Dried Skimmed Milk
Per Pint: 198kCal, Fat - 0.3g, Sat Fat - 0.2g, Sugar - 20.3g, Salt - 0.8g

Skimmed milk powder is OK as a tolerated in limited quantities, I forget how much you can have and have lost my book (which won't be the same as your one anyway...) so can't check.

Personally I have had a lot of use from the Marvel Milk Powder and occasionally the Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, but I'm wondering how OK it really is - even though the milk powder is OK according to the book.

I thought generally the extracts would be OK, because they have the same essential ingredients as vanilla extract does.

Any advice much appreciated before I go shopping for a ton of things that I am not allowed to have

General rule - if it's in the book you can have it, if it's not, don't touch it. Then of course, there are so many things which aren't officially allowed in his list of ingredients for some recipes in his newer recipe books. There have been so many tweaks as time has gone by that I'd try and stick to the main food list. Hopefully Jo will clarify, she has the most (and best - she did this diet before it was tampered with by the good doctor) experience.

I think Vicky found 'good' cocoa powder, she could tell you where...

A couple of sugar-free sweets are tolerated, but may well stall your losses - I had some (menthol - not nice) when I had a cold and didn't have a friendly weigh-in that week!

 

[Maintainer]

I was going to sit on the fence on this one...

Star Kay White - Fat Free Chocolate Extract
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Chocolate-Extract-4-oz/dp/B000FCI6JU
Ingredients: Water, Alcohol (46.5%), Chocolate Extract

Supercook Flavourings - Almond/Vanilla/Peppermint
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Home_Baking/SuperCook_Almond_Flavouring_38ml.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Flavouring.

Star Kay White Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom Extract
http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Star-Kay-White-Rose-Water/40696011
Ingredients: Alcohol, Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Natural Oil of Rose/Peppermint/Orange Blossom


While I agree wholeheartedly with Robin ref these essences, the question was asked many times ref the appropriateness of the essences he sells, and his response was always: "you only use a drip or two, so no problem."


Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Cocoa_And_Instant_Drinks/Tesco_Value_Fat_Reduced_Cocoa_Powder_250g.html[/URL]
Per teaspoon: 15kCal, Sugar - Trace, Fat - 0.7g, Sat Fat - 0.4g, Salt - Trace

In France the rule is "fat free, sugar free" (and then 1 tspn per day as a "tolerated food" in Cruise only if not stalling). In the UK, no one could find fat free, so he said 11% was ok. I don't see on this product the percentage...

Sugar Free Mallows
[URL="http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html"]http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-pricecomparison/Sweets/Sainsburys_Sugar_Free_Mallows_75g.html[/URL]
Ingredients: Maltitol Syrup, Insomalt, Water, Pork Gelatine, Maize Starch, Colour, Flavouring, Lactic Acid.
Each: 5kCal, Fat - Trace, Sat Fat - Nil, Sugar - Trace, Salt - Nil

No... Maize starch, lactic acid, maltitol syrup

Marvel Skimmed Milk Powder - OK according to the book!
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Shelf_Milk/Cadbury_Marvel_Dried_Skimmed_Milk_340g.html
Ingredients: Dried Skimmed Milk
Per Pint: 198kCal, Fat - 0.3g, Sat Fat - 0.2g, Sugar - 20.3g, Salt - 0.8g

The composition of skimmed milk powder is horrible but it's in his recipes on the official site.

However, despite the foregoing, I'd avoid all!

 

[dukandebut]

I've been using Silver Spoon flavourings as I thought that I couldn't see any alcohol in the ingredients list. However, as well as water and "flavouring", it also contains ethanol - which I've just looked up and that actually turns out to be a type of alcohol. Never knew that! Since I only use a few drops in recipes where my daily portion adds up to 1 or 2 drops maximum, and I only ever used it in cooked recipes (where it should be burnt off), I'm fine with this. It certainly hasn't harmed my weight loss - but everyone is different.

As for skimmed milk powder, I've been using Marvel, too. The ingredients list gives only: dried skimmed milk (99.5%), vitamins A&D. To be honest, I hadn't checked the nutritional info. Again, I only ever use that in my muffins and it has been fine for me.

I wouldn't use the mallows or the blossom extract, personally.

If you do try any of these, keep a very careful eye on things and perhaps stop using them completely if they seem to be causing problems and stalling?

 

[Brownie_Earthquake]

Thanks for such detailed replies!

I admit I did think a couple of these might be taking liberties

When I looked at the sugar content and salt content of the milk powder, it seems pretty extreme - so I thought if that was allowed, the flavourings, for which such a tiny amount, just a few drops is used, seemed quite reasonable by comparison.

I'd only want to use the chocolate extract in the same way as the vanilla extract.

It's confusing about the cocoa powder though - even raw unprocessed cocoa/cacao powder as sold in health food shops seems to be inappropriate, too.

Oh and a note about the cornflour: It's listed as acceptable in the book, too. It's recommended for making sauces.

 

[Maintainer]

Cornflour is accepted as a tolerated item... if not stalling, 2 per day, 1 tablespoon a day.

I bought a dark chocolate "aroma" here. It's nasty. The "noisette" one is worse.

 

[m-mouse]

I have used the elusive tesco cocoa but only a teaspoon at a time - and I don't use it often - not since before Xmas. Saying that, before I rooted out that cocoa I did use ordinary cocoa occasionally.

 

[dukandebut]

Cornflour is accepted as a tolerated item... if not stalling, 2 per day, 1 tablespoon a day.

I bought a dark chocolate "aroma" here. It's nasty. The "noisette" one is worse.

Wow, I didn't realise you could have a whole tablespoon of cornflour a day. I've been using an absolute maximum of 1 tsp a day - and only very rarely. My almost daily crèmes au chocolat only contain about 1/6 of a tsp.

As for those aromas, I haven't tried them but was completely put off by the reviews. The noisette one seems to be universally detested!

 

[Maintainer]

Well there lies another mystery really. Over here, it's a soup spoon - and my soup spoons are a heck of a lot smaller than my table spoons!

Irrespective... cornflour is great on the odd occasion for a dessert, rather than breaking the diet, but otherwise I'd avoid! Particularly if stalling.

Those "tolerated" items are NOT in the original French book...

 

[m-mouse]

I am trying hard not to have any tolerated items at the moment as I ease back in - unless SF jelly counts as tolerated?

 

[Brownie_Earthquake]

dukandebut: What type of chocolate do you use in your creme au chocolate?

I went to Sainsbury's to get the Supercook flavourings only to discover that they no longer carry them - they have a large variety of their own brand now, all of which are made from oil!

So, due to this, I tried Waitrose, who only carry the Star Kay White extracts - so I'm trying the chocolate one!

Neither Sainsbury's nor Waitrose are carrying Two Chicks Liquid Egg Whites anymore, so I had to make do with powdered - not too sure about that one

 

[dukandebut]

It doesn't help when these stores keep changing their stock, does it, Brownie.

I'm using the Sainsbury's Cocoa powder in the crèmes au chocolat - but only 1tsp per 3 ramekins, so only one third of a tsp per day.

 

[Slimstar10]

I am wondering where it says u can have reduced fat cocoa does that mean something like "options"? I can't get reduced fat cocoa in tesco! Thank u x

 

[dukandebut]

Slimstar - As far as I can remember, Options was even less Dukan-friendly, so I would recommend avoiding that. I'm just using Sainsbury's ordinary cocoa as it seemed to be one of the better versions that I could find - not perfect, but the best I could manage.

 

[Brownie_Earthquake]

The Options powder contains something like 5g sugar per sachet.
You can buy the Tesco Fat Reduced Cocoa on their website, or at one of the really big stores.

I tried the Star Kay White Chocolate extract. It's definitely chocolate - but subtle.

You might find that useful (hot chocolate, for example) if you just want chocolate flavouring rather than the mass of the cocoa powder



Incidently, what is the best recommended/favourite sweetener of everyone here?

 

[Emmma]

I think I like Canderel best - certainly better than Splenda which I think gives more of a chemical aftertaste. I've recently heard about Stevia which is supposedly a natural sugar substitute but I've not seen any in the shops yet but it'll be interesting to see how it compares.

 

[Maintainer]

Dukan recommends aspartame (Candarel).

I found that Stevia had a weird aftertaste.

I'd avoid cocoa and chocolate for as long as you can! Fair enough, for someone who's been in this game a few months and is bored rigid, but for most of us, that's what got us here

 

[Brownie_Earthquake]

Re-reading the book at the moment I noticed that aspartame is the recommended sweetner. Personally I couldn't take to it at all, the texture and how it floats/sticks and everything was nasty and you need so much of it!

I personally use Splenda, but wondered, as it's maltodextrin, if it's technically allowed.

Another Do or Don't...

http://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/rose-water-150ml-english-provender.html

Ingredients: Water, Natural Essence of Roses (6%), acidity regulator; Citric Acid, preservative; Sodium Benzoate.

Per 100g (i.e. 3/4 of the bottle): 2kCal, Sugar - 0.2g, Fat - 0.1g, Salt - Trace.

I bought this tonight and thought it seemed like a better alternative, ingredients and nutrition wise than some of the other essences and extracts. I used it to flavour some natural yoghurt and it was great - only needed a tiny amount!

 

[fractal]

Jo, I use stevia - have been using it since I started Dukan (2007). The first batches were Russian stevia - OK for baking but really bad aftertaste. Since moving to the UK I started buying stevia online from a company in Germany, and it is just perfect. I think it does depend on the brand and how pure stevioside is.

 

[Maintainer]

Interesting Fractal - I wonder why it's so difficult to get hold of, do you know? Having to order a sweetener online from abroad makes it seem "wrong" somehow.

Brownie - "citric acid" has often been blamed for stalls on Atkins, I've read.

Is Hermesetas available in England? That's another one I see widely used here in France, where it's also available in liquid form (and I hear one uses less of that). Not a huge consumer of sweeteners, I've never put much in.