The Perricone Weight Loss Diet

nutritionist photo
Nutritionist Dana Angelo White on
Perricone Diet

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC/L is a registered dietitian and certified athletic trainer who earned her master's degree in nutrition education from Teachers College- Columbia University and undergraduate degree from Quinnipiac University in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.

Nutritionist Ratings
FPO
Bread, Pasta & Sweets (carbs)
almost never
FPO
Red Meat
never
FPO
Fruits & Vegetables
sometimes
FPO
Milk & Dairy
never
FPO
Alcohol
almost never
FPO
Fast Weight Loss
nutritionist kind of agrees
FPO
Feeling Healthier
nutritionist kind of agrees
FPO
Simple Rules
nutritionist disagrees
FPO
Frequent Meals
nutritionist strongly disagrees
FPO
Great Tasting Food
nutritionist kind of disagrees
FPO
Easy To Eat Out
nutritionist strongly disagrees
FPO
Affordable
nutritionist strongly disagrees

A Nutritionist Weighs in...

This diet is simply not practical. The time, money, and restrictions are too high. The plan cannot apply realistically to everyday life. What's good is that most recipes contain many different types of spices and herbs that help to add flavor to low calorie foods. The bad news is that you will probably leave the table hungry - or sick of fish.

Most recipes are surprisingly tasty (like the Asian Slaw and the African Groundnut Stew). They are time consuming to prepare and require expensive ingredients. All recipes include nutrition information, but there are no specifications for serving sizes. This diet never mentions differences between calories, serving sizes, or supplement needs between men and women. You're left guessing, frustrated, and quite possibly hungry from eating an inadequate amount of food. You may lose weight on this diet, but you are unlikely to keep the weight off.

This diet is not just fish-filled, it's fishy

You may eat up to two servings of salmon every day. And even if you like fish, this can be too much of a good thing. The recommended meals are labor-intensive and won't necessarily provide you with enough food. You may feel hungry frequently.

This low-saturated fat plan includes many healthy foods, but you'll be doing the cooking. You'll need to prepare, package, and travel with these meals and snacks. If you're trying to entice your family to eat healthily, the complex flavors and emphasis on fish may stymie you. There are no good recommendations for eating out. Dining out, traveling, or having dinner guests would also be difficult, especially if you don't want to be known as the host who wears that fishy smelling "perfume."

Coffee is forbidden as are many other commonly consumed foods and beverages. The diet doesn't specify that you cannot drink alcohol, but it's not included on the 14-day menu. You can probably assume that you should avoid it in order to lose weight.

Diet Pros Diet Cons
  • Emphasis on whole foods and lots of fruits and vegetables
  • No counting calories
  • Could be fun if you enjoy cooking
  • Low in saturated fats
  • Tasty recipes
  • Focus on omega-3, a healthy fat in moderation
  • Too many supplements
  • Too much fish
  • Expensive and time consuming
  • Meal preparation is labor intensive
  • Numerous food restrictions
  • Most meals and snacks require refrigeration
  • Difficult to modify when eating out
  • May be left feeling hungry after many meals
  • May experience fishy taste in mouth and on breath

But, What Can I Eat?

See what's in & what's out

What do other members think about this diet?

Read Rants & Raves




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