The objectives of the Perricone diet

 




The objectives of the Perricone diet

Nicholas Perricone is a physician who has spent decades developing, refining, and improving his anti-inflammatory program for weight loss. When followed as directed, the diet promises to:


    reduce body inflammation;

    promote weight loss;

    maintain muscle mass;

    improve the appearance of the skin;

    improve mood;

    improve brain functions;

    increase energy;

    improve athletic ability;

    get appropriate amounts of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

The three steps to better health

The Perricone plan has three phases or stages. The first step is to learn how to include foods from the “supergroup” in the daily eating plan. The second step is to introduce important dietary supplements to facilitate weight loss. The third step is learning to follow the anti-inflammatory lifestyle that Dr. Perricone pioneered. These steps are combined into a 14-day plan for weight loss.

Incorporating Supergroup Foods


Below are the ten supergroup foods that should be incorporated into your daily diet.


  •     Cold-water fish: rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, these fish are a crucial part of the Perricone plan, both for the high-quality fats and the high-quality proteins they provide.
  •     Fruits: Fruits rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and natural sugars are recommended for their anti-inflammatory properties and for their ability to boost energy quickly.
  •     Fruit-derived fats: Fruits like avocado, olive, and coconut are rich in monounsaturated fats that boost health while providing a feeling of fullness.
  •     Spices: Foods proven to stabilize blood sugar include fragrant spices, including cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and fenugreek.
  •     Hot peppers: These foods are rich in antioxidants and capsaicin, a phytonutrient clinically shown to suppress appetite, increase metabolism and induce thermogenesis.
  •     Nuts and seeds: The fats in nuts and seeds combine with the protein they contain to help curb hunger and promote the absorption of vital nutrients from other foods.
  •     Leguminous plants: Beans contain fiber, resistant starch, antioxidants, and starch inhibitors, all of which contribute to weight loss.
  •     Probiotic dairy foods: These are low-fat dairy foods that contain high levels of calcium, as well as probiotics like acidophilus and Bifidus.
  •     Whole grains: Thanks to their high fiber, vitamin, and mineral content, whole grains are an important source of dietary nutrients.
  •     Vegetables: the more colorful the vegetable, the higher its concentration of valuable phytonutrients, and the more it is recommended as part of a healthy diet.

The introduction of Superstar dietary supplements

The following 12 important nutrients should be added to any diet because they improve health and ensure adequate nutrition, even during weight loss efforts:

  •      omega-3 fish oil,
  •      alpha-lipoic acid (ALA),
  •      astaxanthin,
  •      carnitine,
  •      acetyl-L-Carnitine,
  •      conjugated linoleic acid (CLA),
  •      coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10),
  •      chrome,
  •      gamma-linoleic acid (GLA),
  •      glutamine,
  •      Maitake's SX fraction,
  •      dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE).


The anti-inflammatory lifestyle

In addition to important foods and supplements, there are lifestyle changes that should be made while following the Perricone Diet.

  •     Exercise: The health benefits of exercise, including stress reduction, mood enhancement, muscle building, and fat burning, cannot be overemphasized. Exercise is a key part of the anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
  •     Stress reduction: In addition to exercise, other stress reduction measures include prayer, meditation or yoga, caring for a pet, laughter, circadian rhythm work, sleep, and hydration.

The 14-day plan

There are several guidelines to follow when implementing the 14-day weight loss plan.

  •     Each meal or snack should contain protein, essential fatty acids, and low glycemic index carbohydrates.
  •     Be sure to start each meal with protein first, and consume fruit at the end of the meal.
  •     Eat freshwater fish four to five times a week.
  •     Choose organic foods whenever possible.
  •     Eat raw when possible.
  •     Avoid foods containing sodium nitrite, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and chemical sweeteners.
  •     Avoid high glycemic impact fruits, vegetables, and grains, and opt for low impact foods from these food groups instead.

In addition to these guidelines, a 14-day menu with recipes is provided in the document created by Perricone, with tips for eating out or variations for days when something quick and easy is needed.
Final Considerations

The Perricone diet is a relatively well-balanced program, rich in essential fatty acids and lean protein sources. When properly performed, the dieter will receive sufficient nutrition in all necessary food categories. It's important to keep in mind, however, that any healthy diet can pose a challenge for people with food allergies or digestive sensitivities. Even a program as well designed as the Perricone diet can be complicated for these people.



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