Sample Menu:
Breakfast
• Egg whites
• 1 ounce shredded parmesan
• 1 cup cantaloupe
Morning Snack
• 6 ounces plain yogurt or kefir
• Handful of blueberries or almonds
Lunch
• Caesar salad with chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons salad dressing on the side
• Apple
Afternoon Snack
• Handful of almonds or berries
Dinner
• 4-6 ounces grilled salmon
• 1 cup asparagus
• 1/2 cup lentils
• Green salad
Pros and Cons:
The Pros
Dr. Perricone’s emphasis on antioxidant-rich foods is a unique and healthy approach to eating. The wild salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. These have numerous health benefits, especially for your heart and brain. Overall, this is a comprehensive program. Follow his diet and lifestyle recommendations, and you will lose weight, improve your health, and probably end up with better-looking skin to boot. The generous amounts of lean protein and low-glycemic carbohydrates will help minimize hunger and stabilize blood sugar.
The Cons
This program is strict, which makes it harder to follow. The complete exclusion of bread and most grains, beef, alcohol (including wine) and caffeine will make this diet more challenging. The supplements are very expensive and probably not necessary for most people. You'd better like salmon, too, because you’ll be eating a lot of it. If you don’t like salmon, you’re up the creek. Many of the recommended products may be difficult to find year round, if at all, like acai and kefir.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a very healthy approach to eating, which will probably have you looking and feeling a lot better. I think this diet is too tough, however, for the long term. Still, many of the principles are a good foundation for a balanced, long-term eating plan. Plus, it could kick start your weight loss. You must really be committed to this way of life and have both the time to shop and the money to spend to be successful both short and long term. One of the best things about this diet is that the appeal of radiant skin might get more people excited about eating those fruits and vegetables.
