Detoxing and cleansing are absolutely everywhere these days, especially now with the Summer season, aka bikini season, approaching fast. If you’re not juicing and detoxing, then most likely you know someone who is or who has at some point in time, or you’re likely to be contemplating it yourself. It’s become such a big trend in today’s times that just simply cannot be ignored.
I’ve never been one to follow diets, mostly as I’ve had a hard time committing, but I do believe that food makes a difference. You are what you eat and I believe that. So when I read about Dr. Perricone’s 3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Detox Diet here, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to judge for myself what detoxing is all about. There were a few things that lined up and immediately sold me on this particular diet:
1) you do eat proper and balanced meals several times a day (very important for me as I do not believe in starvation and deprivation),
2) it is an anti-inflammatory diet that also helps clear and brighten the skin, thus if the diet works you should notice visible improvement in your overall complexion right away (always a plus especially with a skeptic like myself), and
3) it’s only a 3-day affair and it would be over before I knew it.
As a detox novice, it was also important to me to have clear and uncomplicated directions (like here and here), pick a start date that fit my schedule and lifestyle, and lastly, select my meal options for each of the three days ahead of time and ensure I have all the necessary groceries, so that meal preparation didn’t turn into a lengthy ordeal (always a downside of dieting).
So let’s get familiar with this diet…
What is the Dr. Perricone 3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Detox Program
It is a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet that aids in the elimination of puffiness, thus increasing contours and firmness. The foundation of this diet is wild salmon, eaten twice a day. Wild Alaskan Salmon is beneficial to skin because it contains DMAE, astaxanthin, and essential fatty acids that increase skin’s radiance, glow, and firmness.
DMAE is an anti-inflammatory nutritional substance that combats sagging associated with aging, as well as improves memory and problem-solving ability.
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant found in marine plants, algae, and seafood. It protects cell membrane components from oxidative stress and inflammation, thus diminishing wrinkles and providing a wealth of other benefits.
Fatty acids help the body absorb nutrients from fruits and vegetables and keep cells supple. They improve memory and mood and keep skin glowing and wrinkle-free.
What’s Expected
Generally, a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet can help minimize disease and maintain skin’s health and youthfulness. The Perricone Program offers a short term regimen (the 3-Day Diet), as well as a longer plan for sustainable results (the 28-Day Diet, for those interested, read here). Eating an anti-inflammatory diet for a short period of time will enable you to experience dramatic positive changes in not just how you look, but how you feel overall as well. As with any and all diets, there is the stipulation that if you stick closely to the suggested meal options, you will achieve better results than if you stray. After 3 days, you will be able to control inflammation and fluid retention, both important for achieving glowing skin and boosted energy. Needless to say, I was determined to conquer this diet, follow the rules exactly as stated and not stray. I didn’t think I could commit to the 28-day program, but a 3-day plan sounded promising.
It is also important to note that the 3-Day Diet is restrictive in nature to ensure quick results. The 28-Day Program is less restrictive in nature, so it is more realistic to stick to long term. But when you need a quick solution, say for a big event or an upcoming vacation, the 3-Day Diet helps detox your system fast.
What I ate
Day 1
Wakeup: 12 oz spring water with lemon
Breakfast: 2 egg omelet with ½ cup of chopped greens, 1/3 cup blueberries, a cup of green tea
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Lunch: 4 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, 1 kiwi, handful of walnuts
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 6 oz. plain yogurt, ½ cup of cantaloupe cubes
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Dinner: 4 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, ½ cup steamed broccoli, 1/3 cup blueberries
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 6 oz. plain yogurt, half an apple
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Day 2
Wakeup: 12 oz spring water with lemon
Breakfast: ½ cup of cooked oatmeal (not instant), 1/3 cup blueberries, a cup of green tea
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Lunch: 4 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, 1/3 cup blueberries
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 6 oz. plain yogurt, handful of walnuts
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Dinner: 6 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, ½ cup steamed broccoli, ½ cup cantaloupe cubes
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 6 oz. plain yogurt, handful of walnuts
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Day 3
Wakeup: 12 oz spring water with lemon
Breakfast: 2 egg omelet with ½ cup of chopped greens, 1/3 cup blueberries, a cup of green tea
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Lunch: 4 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, ½ cup cantaloupe cubes
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 4 oz. plain yogurt, 1/3 cup blueberries, handful of walnuts
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Dinner: 6 oz. grilled salmon with 2 cups of greens dressed with organic extra virgin olive oil and lemon, ½ cup steamed broccoli, ½ cup cantaloupe cubes
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
Snack: 6 oz. plain yogurt, handful of walnuts
Water: 8 oz. spring water with lemon
My Experience
I start full of hopes and dreams on a dreary and rainy Monday morning, as tropical storm Colin takes over the news. Over the previous weekend I had gone grocery shopping and prepped my meals for the next three days, so as nothing out of the ordinary would interfere with or distract me from my detox aspirations (ie, being flooded in for two days). I purchased wild salmon, organic fruits and veggies and natural spring water, using the suggested shopping list here.
The menu seemed rather generous and at first glance, I even entertain the idea of having to skip a few snacks or suggested meal options. Every day of the 3-day program begins with a big glass of water with lemon, something I already do, so I really think I could easily do this. However, as Day 1 goes on, I find myself starving by lunch time and by dinner time, I could already see the effects of the sudden change to my usual meals. I start wishing I didn’t schedule this detox diet at a time when we got flooded in as tropical storm Colin rages thru Florida, and I’m homebound with my toddler and a bunch of yummy, chocolatey delights. Maybe it was the storm, maybe it was my tummy gurgling that night, but I sleep terrible and awake on Day 2, with low energy levels and wondering how I’m going to get thru yet another day of primarily salmon and greens (none of which are favorites of mine). I decide the morning of Day 2 and for the remaining of the diet, that I would go for the maximum suggested amount of salmon (6 oz.) for dinner, so as not to find myself going to sleep hungry again. Needless to say, I’m very happy that I opted to do that.
I should also mention that I decided to start this diet a few days before that time of the month, a time when I typically feel bloated, my complexion is lackluster, my skin is puffy, and some pesky hormonal breakouts make a sudden appearance. By late afternoon on Day 2, I can already see a difference in my complexion. The diet is working. My skin looks radiant, if I dare to say so myself, the puffiness is gone, and NO signs of hormonal breakouts (something that ALWAYS accompanies that time of the month for me).
Entering Day 3, I begin to feel more like myself in terms of energy levels and as Colin swiftly leaves our area, I even venture to the local gym for a quick one-hour workout. But in all honesty, there is little benefit to working out during a detox diet, as I’m struggling to complete my cardio routine. I don’t however feel hungry as I go to bed that night and surprisingly, I don’t feel as excited as I thought I would be to be done with the diet. Could it be that I’m getting used to this kind of eating regimen?
The Verdict
Throughout the 3-day diet, I religiously stuck to the program and its suggested meals. There were high points (as vain as it might sound, I did really like the way my skin complexion looked in the mirror by the end of the program, see unfiltered photo taken on Day 3) and low points (going to bed hungry, having low energy levels, not giving my workout the necessary energy it deserved). But I woke up on Day 4 feeling renewed, refueled and ready to take on whatever the day might bring. I felt great inside and my skin looked great on the outside as well: glowy, radiant and reinvigorated. I didn’t feel bloated or fatigued. I could see the full benefits of this anti-inflammatory diet. In terms of my weight, it didn’t change at all during those days. My regular diet is vegetarian with a serving of fish or other seafood several times a week, so the Dr. Perricone program didn’t terribly disrupt my ways.
There are definitely visible benefits to the Dr. Perricone anti-inflammatory detox diet. While I don’t know that I would do this every month, I will definitely consider doing this program again, as I’ve previously said, before a big event or special vacation.
Have you tried any detox diets? What were your thoughts and experiences?
I’m a fan of Dr. Perricone and currently use his face cream. I have heard about his anti-inflammatory diet but didn’t realize there is a also a 3-day program. It does sound interesting and I do believe you are what you eat. I think I will try this detox diet before my vacation in July. It does sound like a reasonable diet and I like that it has adequate and balanced meals. Great post, Cat!
Hi Amy, I’m not typically one for diets, but that’s exactly what attracted me to this particular diet: the fact that it provides for reasonable and balanced meals. Do let me know how it works out for you if you get a chance to try it.
~ Cat L.
I am really surprised it hasn’t changed much in terms of what he recommends you eat, since I last did it Cat, the old book used to be blue and I think it was a month to six weeks detox program. Your skin looks amazing there Cat ?, stunning ?. Oh you have just made me want to do it again. This is a great article and right up my top blog post to read ?. X
Thanks for stopping by, Esnath. You know how much I enjoy your blog, http://www.prettypeachblossom.com , so your feedback is greatly appreciated. I’m not sure how long this diet’s been around, but it definitely works if you stick closely to the recommended meals. I do plan on trying again the 3 day program at some point soon, probably before the holidays.
Thank you again for your comments!
~ Cat L.
I need to try this diet. I’ve always been intrigued about detoxing and cleansing but didn’t know where to start. I also like the fact that it’s only 3 days and the meals appear reasonable. Great post!
Agreed! The program is only 3 days, the meals are reasonable and balanced and the diet really works! Win, win win! I do plan on trying this diet again, most likely before the holidays. Do let me know how it works out for you if you get a chance to try it as well. ~ Cat L.
If my skin can look like yours, I’ll sacrifice my daily chocolate for this menu for a full month!! ? But on a serious note, your skin is simply perfect!! Thank you for sharing your honest review on this detox diet. I will give it a try once I’m finish nursing. Hope you have a terrific weekend sweetheart ❤️
Anxhela, what a lovely comment! Thank you so much! I’m not one for diets, but this particular one I found intriguing as it’s only 3 days, provides for balanced meals and it’s supposed to be anti-inflammatory. I definitely recommend trying it! Now off to catch up with your blog http://luxbubs.blogspot.com
~ Cat L.
You look stunning and your skin is indeed very glowy! I too get that type of terrible hormonal breakouts so.. Need to try!!! But salmon twice a day… ? let’s be brave!!
Lyna, thank you for stopping by and for such lovely comments! I love reading your beauty blog https://beautybylynmed.wordpress.com so your opinion means a lot to me. As far as this diet, I agree: salmon twice a day is not fun, but it is only 3 days and totally worth it in my opinion! I do plan on doing this program again before the holidays. Wish me luck! ~ Cat L.
Great post!
Thank you, Tammi! Glad you liked it! ~ Cat L.
Such an interesting read! This has actually made me even more determined to have a Pescatraian diet. I love all that you ate as it is a lot of what I do anyhow! I am obsessed with greens, fish and don’t think a day goes by where I don’t eat blueberries as I am addicted to them lol. I Love seeing your results as even though I am sure there are hard times, its worth it by how you feel and look. Great pics as always and really enjoyed this. I like posts that inspire my health and diet. Thank you! K xxx
http://www.kellilash.com
Thank you for such lovely comments, Kelly! It is definitely a diet that advocates reasonable and balanced meals. I do plan on trying this program again, most likely before the holidays as it’s only 3 days and now I know for a fact that it works as long as you stick closely to the suggested meals. I definitely recommend it! ~ Cat L.
That is very motivating and encouraging post. I’m not the one for diet normally, but ever so often I try to challenge myself to more healthy eating. This sounds like something I could do 🙂
Hi Anna, thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. I’m also not one for diets, but I liked that this one provides for reasonable and balanced meals and it’s only 3 days. I definitely recommend trying as in my opinion it really works! Now off to catch up with your blog http://trendissimo.pl/en
~ Cat L.
You look radiant in that photo. The diet doesn’t sound that bad and it seems there is no starving involved, so I might just give it a try, hoping for results as good as yours. You mention you generally eat only fish and vegetables, which makes me wonder what effect this 3 day diet will have on someone who is not as disciplined as you. I’ll go get myself some salmon and blueberries and find out the answer. Thanks for a great post!
Daphne, thank you for stopping by. Your Instagram ( @CosmeticSnob ) and your YouTube channel (Daphne S.) are some of my favorites so your feedback is always appreciated. You bring up an excellent point and I would also be curious to hear about the experience and see the results of someone who doesn’t already have a pescatarian diet (meaning a vegetarian diet with a few servings of fish throughout the week). I definitely recommend this diet for the reasons outlined at the beginning of my post mainly as it involves reasonable meals and it’s only 3 days. If you do end up trying, please report back! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts and experience. ~ Cat L.
Great article Cat, I get hormonal breakouts sometimes and I really should consider doing this detox! Your skin looks amazing and perfect!!!
Laura, such blush worthy comments, thank you so much! This is such an easy anti-inflammatory diet, I strongly recommend it! ~ Cat L.
Thank you for sharing the information about the diet, what you ate and your experience! I can definitely do this diet and will be doing it very soon. I had an abdominal hysterectomy in January and am curious to see how much is swelling because I’m still healing and how much is from not eating right. I think this will be a good eye opener. I’ll have to take before and after photos.
Hi Traci, thank you for stopping by. I really enjoy perusing your blog https://blushednpolished.wordpress.com so I’m very excited you got a chance to check out mine. The diet is extremely reasonable as it promotes things we should all be eating more of: salmon, berries, nuts, cantaloupe. I will say that I tried my hardest to stick to it religiously and was able to see results in terms of how my skin looked and how I felt overall. And because it is the kind of diet that promotes adequate and balanced meals, I strongly recommend it! ~ Cat L.
That seems pretty doable! Lovely pictures too 🙂
Thank you, Natalie! It is definitely very doable and only 3 days! Definitely recommend! ~ Cat L.
Oh very interesting! We have lots of diets and fads here, I’ve been on/off many throughout the years, but have not been on this one! All the food you ate looked soooo yummy. I didn’t know you’re a vegetarian! I’m a pescatarian, was a vegetarian early in junior college but due to my bad health I’ve had to get back to eating fish since then but I’m hoping to go vegan maybe next year if I can. I believe that we are what we eat when it comes to our inner chemistry (unless you have medical issues that impact you), but I don’t believe we are what we eat when it comes to our outward appearance since our bodies are all so very different (i.e. someone who may look thin isn’t necessarily healthy, someone who may look larger isn’t necessarily unhealthy). It’s interesting how different we all are!
xoxo
http://www.hellohimawari.com
Hi Mika, thank you for stopping by. I tremendously enjoy your blog http://www.hellohimawari.com so your feedback means more than you know. I totally agree that often times our physical appearance doesn’t necessarily mean anything in terms of our health. I’m a proponent of eating healthy and balanced meals and not depriving one’s self of certain foods, which is why the Dr Perricone Anti-Inflammatory Diet resonated with me. I would say the diet is more of a regimented program that promotes things we should all eat more of: salmon, berries, nuts. I personally felt my skin looked better, I did not feel bloated at a time when I typically do and felt better inside as well. I’m not typically a fan of diets, but this program seemed extremely reasonable and would definitely recommend trying. ~ Cat L.
Thank you for this! I’m not s fan of diets either. However I too believe you are what you eat. May give this try!
Great post!
Thank you for stopping by, Felicia! Glad you found the post helpful. Please do come back and let me know if you end up trying this detox diet. ~ Cat L.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I would have loved to see side by side shots of your before and after photos as well as make-up free pictures. These would help give readers a truer sense of the effects of the diet.
Also, there is a concurrent line of research that says you are what you are born with, meaning your genetics play an equal if not greater factor in your health than diet.
Honestly, a healthy mental state does more for your overall health than creams, fad diets, and the likes. That and walking a 10+minutes each day.
Thank you Alex for taking the time to read and comment. You bring up some excellent points and I couldn’t agree more. A healthy mental state, an active lifestyle and a healthy/balanced diet are paramount to one’s overall health. I tried this diet and wrote the post within 6 months since starting the blog. I think you’re right and in the future I will try to take before and after photos as I do think those could add some value. I don’t personally think however that I am wearing any heavy makeup in this particular photo. If you pay close attention, you could spot some hyperpigmentation on my nose, some pores on my face and moles on my cheeks. I am however wearing eyeliner. Thank you again for the feedback, it’s been dully noted. ~ Cat L.
Hey!
I started the diet today! And I’m struggling with eating oatmeal as it’s not usually what I eat day-to-day. I was wondering how you made your oatmeal? I’m eating it plain and I’m already bored with it.
Hi Sophia, thank you for stopping by. I completely understand, same here. I’m not a big fan of oatmeal. I usually like to add walnuts, cranberries, blueberries and a drizzle of honey, just to make it more flavorful. Hope this helps. ~ Cat L.
Hello Cat,
2019 and still relevant! I’d done the three days and extended it several years a go; ready to do it again this year! Thank you for the shared insights!
Best wishes to you!