Perricone Prescription

Reviewed By:
Lynn Grieger, RD

Perricone Diet basics

A seven-step, 28-day program designed to prevent and reverse wrinkles with a special anti-inflammatory diet, moderate exercise, topical creams and nutritional supplements.

The Perricone Diet is not so much a weight loss regimen as it is a skin care program. Dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D., believes that sugar and foods with a high glycemic index such as bread, bagels, bananas, pizza, pasta and potatoes lead to the inflammation that is at the root of wrinkles and aging skin. By eliminating these foods and choosing sufficient amounts of protein and foods that produce an anti-inflammatory response such as avocado, berries, dark green leafy vegetables and salmon, Perricone promises that skin will look younger and healthier.

He provides two weeks' worth of menus for three meals, plus two snacks each day and includes several recipes. He also advocates regular exercise and the use of numerous topical creams and supplements to ward off inflammation and rejuvenate skin .

Upside of the Perricone Diet

• The foods Perricone recommends contain numerous antioxidants believed to promote overall health.
  
  
• It won't hurt any of us to use fewer processed foods and enjoy whole, natural foods.
  
  
• Increasing evidence shows that inflammation is to blame for many health problems, including arthritis and even some types of cancer.

Downside of the Perricone Diet

• The 28-day diet limits food choices and may take some getting used to. For example, you've got to love salmon, because eating it is an almost daily ritual on this plan. The repetition might prove too much for people with adventurous palates.
  
  
• You've got to have a big budget -- salmon is pricey, and so are the topical creams and supplements that Perricone promotes.

Is the Perricone Diet for You?

This chart can help you see how the Perricone Diet fits your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Sample Perricone Diet Menu

A day on the Perricone Diet might look like this:

Breakfast:

• Old-fashioned oatmeal with sliced pear and sunflower seeds
  
• 3-4 ounces of salmon
  
• Green tea or water

Lunch:

• Broiled free-range chicken breast with mixed leaf salad
  
• Green tea or water
  

Afternoon snack:

• 2 ounces of sliced turkey breast
  
• ½ cup strawberries
  

Dinner:

• Broiled salmon with miso rub
  
• Asian vegetable salad
  
• Yogurt with blueberries

Snack:

• Handful of almonds
  
• Handful of blueberries
  

Lynn Grieger, RD on the Perricone Diet

While Dr. Perricone's program focuses on reversing signs of aging in our skin, his meal programs include nutritious foods that are good for all of us. Younger-looking skin may be a secondary bonus to improved health.

iVillagers on the Perricone Diet

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