Eat for a younger you

They say you are what you eat, but can eating certain foods take years off you?

Dr Nicholas Perricone claims that his diet can help you look younger, lose weight and regain your youthful energy. See if it works for you!

- Search: Anti-wrinkle diet

The science bit

The theory is that sugar and other foods with a high glycaemic index rating, such as pasta, bread, bananas and potatoes, create inflammation in the body's cells. The result? Wrinkles, ageing skin and weight gain. The anti-inflammatory angels include chicken, lush berries and avocados - plus lots of organic salmon!

The seven golden rules for younger-looking skin are:

1. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day
2. Eat organic salmon at least five times a week
3. Eat protein food before anything else at meal times
4. Eat three main meals and two protein-rich snacks
5. Grill, bake or steam food. Don't fry it
6. Cut out tea and coffee. Drink green tea or water
7. Snack on strawberries, blueberries and raspberries

What can you eat?

Only eat the following foods - avoid anything that is not listed below as it will be high on the glycaemic index. Read Dr Perricone's three-day diet plan.

Fish: Aim to eat organic salmon at least five times a week. It contains DMAE, an antioxidant that firms muscle under the skin. You can also tuck into halibut, trout, herring, mackerel, sardines, shellfish and tuna.

Protein: You should eat protein food before anything else at every meal. The favourites are eggs, Parmesan cheese, plain whole-milk yoghurt, skinless chicken breast, turkey breast and turkey rashers.

Fruit: If you want to reduce wrinkles, make sure you eat plenty of fruit - but avoid bananas! For younger-looking skin, tuck into apples, berries, cantaloupe melon, honeydew melon, kiwi fruit and pears.

Vegetables: Eat nothing but asparagus, aubergine, avocado, bean sprouts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, courgettes, cucumber, endive, garlic, ginger, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, olives, onions, peppers, rocket, spinach, squash and tomatoes.

Beans and grains: Don't eat any beans or grains other than barley (whole for soups), beans (dried or canned) including black, chickpea, kidney, pinto and soy. You can also eat porridge oats (coarse, non-instant).

Snacks: Eat two protein-based main meals and two protein-rich snacks each day. Choose from almonds, olives, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts and 6oz whole-milk yoghurt mixed with 1tsp flaxseed oil.

Drinks: Cut out coffee and tea and drink at least eight glasses of water every day to flush out your system and help reduce puffiness. Drink plenty of green tea (hot or iced with lemon) and lots of spring water.

- Try the three day diet plan