What Is the Perricone Diet?

The Perricone Diet is named after its originator, Nicholas Perricone, MD, a dermatologist who has published several books on skincare and who also sells his own line of skin products. He published "The Perricone Weight Loss Diet" in 2000 and "The Perricone Prescription" in 2002. Each emphasizes diet, supplementation and using topical products to slow aging and improve appearance. His diet emphasizes fish protein such as salmon and in his sample three-day diet, salmon is eaten daily---even at breakfast.

Identification

The Perricone Diet is centered around the idea that some foods are cause inflammation and this creates wrinkles. These foods include sugar, breads, bananas and pizza--foods with a high glycemic level. Dr. Perricone says eating foods such as salmon, berries, avocado and dark green leafy vegetables will reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the skin.

Features

The idea is to eat lean protein at every meal first followed by only low-glycemic, nutrient dense carbs. For example, breakfast might be 4 to 6 ounces of wild salmon, one half cup of cooked oatmeal, 4 ounces of cantaloupe or a 1/4 cup of fresh berries and 8 to 12 ounces of spring water. Greatly reducing the consumption of saturated fats, refined sugars and flour and salt will help speed weight loss. The diet is structured for 28 days and is heavily built around consumption of salmon---which can be expensive. Organic or wild salmon is recommended as farmed salmon may contain dyes and antibiotics.

Significance

Consuming a diet that is really a variation of the Zone diet, but far more limited in food choices, at least for the first 28 days, may help people lose weight. In order to do that, however, they must enjoy eating a lot of salmon and other fish such as tuna. High-protein, low-fat, low-glycemic, low-carbohydrate diets that are very rigid in food choices may help people lose weight if they stick strictly to the diet.

Considerations

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you will have to be very resourceful and creative on the Perricone diet as it emphasizes fish---a lot. If you are looking to improve your skin, this diet may do it as it does include the "super foods" of salmon, broccoli, fresh fruit and whole grains such as oatmeal. The diet is very limited in its food choices. Eating 2 cups of Romaine lettuce with salmon, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice is not a lot of food for many people. One sample dinner plan does include more variety by including steamed broccoli and yogurt and fresh berries for dessert. If the diet had meals such as that at every meal, it might be more palatable.

Warning

If you have any chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or any other serious health conditions, see your doctor first. At first glance, this diet appears to be harmless but it is highly restricted in its food choices.