Perricone Diet

The Perricone Prescription is an ‘anti-wrinkle’ diet.

US skin care expert and dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone wrote his book The Perricone Prescription after concluding that certain foods cause inflammation and water retention. This can lead to premature aging, obesity, and other health issues.

The basis of the diet is a 28 day program. The program aims to reduce saturated fats, refined sugars, and other high glycemic carbohydrates.

3 Day Nutritional Facelift

As a trial run, Perricone provides a meal plan for 3 days. Many report feeling results after only 3 short days - anything from “feeling more energized”, “losing that puffiness around the face”, “eyes no longer bloodshot”.

The following menu should be followed for 3 days. Protein should be eaten first. Note that the salmon should be wild, or at the least organic.

Wake Up
8 to 12 ounces spring water

Breakfast
3 egg whites and 1 whole egg and/or a 4- to 6-ounce piece of broiled salmon
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (not instant)
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Lunch
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon or tuna packed in spring water
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Mid-afternoon snack
2 ounces low-salt, sliced chicken breast OR 6 oz plain yogurt.
4 raw, unsalted hazelnuts
1/2 green apple
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Dinner
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
1 cup steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach dressed with a little olive oil
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Before-bedtime snack
2 ounces low-fat low-salt turkey/chicken breast OR 6 oz plain yogurt.
1/2 pear or green apple
3 or 4 almonds or olives
8 to 12 ounces of spring water

Perricone Diet - Is it Good?

Dr. Perricone’s Prescription is good. It is particularly good for women, who have been living with inadequate nutrition for some time. Bringing back lean protein into the diet immediately increases metabolism, cell rejuvenation, and a number of other benefits.

There are numerous positive reports from users of this diet, and despite not being a weight-loss diet, - weight loss has occurred in a number of people.

There are a few criticisms however - getting hold of ‘wild’ salmon could get expensive (the argument here is that most farmed salmon may contain antibiotics and other chemicals.

The book also makes extensive references to other topical treatments that Dr. Perricone provides - not surprisingly these are expensive. However - the Perricone Prescription is far more than one long advertisement — the diet and advice is sound, and should have a positive impact on your health as well as your skin.

Comments

Caroline

I accidently clicked the 2nd star and gave this a bad review. I meant to give a 5. I lost weight, had energy to exercise and felt great. I’d do it for longer if I liked salmon more… !

MSF

I have been on and off the Perricone diet many times. I do a 3-5 day round of the nutritional facelift everytime I start to feel a little tired or run-down or stalled in my weightloss efforts. I follow the basic principals of the diet most other times. I find that the energy level I have after just the second day of the 3 day Nutritional Facelift far exceeds the energy I have before I begin the regimen. After 5 days I feel I have a flatter mid-section and often loose weight. I have had very good sucess without using his supplements and creams. I follow his guidelines for Omega-3’s and made a trip to the health food store to find many of the other supplements he recommends.

The downside is that the full 14 day diet plan is complicated and expensive and some of the recipes are not made for one person or even 2 requiring additional efforts to pare down the recipes. However, by following the basic principles of the 3-day diet, I think most can experience great results.

Last modified: April 17, 2008