In Eating for Beauty raw food advocate David Wolfe outlines his recommendations for a diet that will cleanse and nourish the body as well as increase beauty.

Wolfe’s idea of beauty is that it involves rejuvenation at the deepest level. He states that true health and beauty is related to nurturing a ‘health and beauty consciousness’ and increasing our enjoyment of life. When this state of being occurs you will naturally find a balance in your eating habits and physical activity.

Diet Basics

The foundation of beauty nutrition according to Wolfe is to increase your consumption of raw plant foods. Wolfe says that eating raw foods increases the alkalinity of the body, which relieves the underlying cause of inflammation, puffiness and contraction of the tissues.

A diet plan that is based on raw foods also reduces the intake of harmful compounds such as free radicals that are found large amounts in a standard diet.

Wolfe says that beauty depends on mineralization and he clearly explains the role of certain minerals in health and beauty. Specific minerals such as silicon, sulfur, zinc and iron are highlighted and readers are advised which foods contain high concentrations of them.

For example sulfur is a component of connective tissue and collagen. Foods rich in sulfur can increase the elasticity and flexibility of the tissues, which will improve the appearance of the skin. Foods that are high in sulfur include garlic, spirulina, cabbage, hemp seed, radishes, and pumpkin seeds.

Specific ‘beauty foods’ are emphasized because they contain one or more nutritional compounds that play a role in encouraging optimal health and beauty.

The book includes a basic meal plan as well as special beauty recipes such as:

Skin-Glow Sulfur Salad
Hair Building Salad
Grapefruit Cellulite Reduction Cocktail
Antioxidant Soup
Airline Rescue Smoothie

Supplements are recommended however the focus is primarily on improving nutritional intake from whole raw plant foods. Some of the supplements discussed in the book include MSM, mangosteen, tocotrienols, goji berries, digestive enzymes and probiotics.

In addition to the dietary recommendations Wolfe includes tips for natural skin care as well as instructions for natural skin treatments such as masks made from avocado, cucumber, papaya and aloe vera.

Recommended Foods

Aloe vera, arugula, burdock root, coconut, cucumber, durian, figs, hemp seed, macadamia nuts, nettles, olives and olive oil, onion, papaya, pumpkin seeds, radish, turmeric, watercress.

Sample Diet Plan

Breakfast

Fruit salad with papaya, avocado, fresh figs, nectarines, cinnamon, lemon juice and raw honey

Morning Snack

Fresh berries

Lunch

Green salad
Sandwich with sprouted grain bread, avocado, sprouts, red pepper and cucumber

Afternoon Snack

Raw vegetables and olives

Dinner

Large green salad
Cashew cheese
Baked sweet potato

Evening Snack

Raw ice cream made from frozen fruit

Exercise Recommendations

Exercise is recommended because it oxygenates the tissues, helps the body to eliminate toxins and brings more color into the complexion.

Wolfe prefers yoga above other forms of exercise because it both strengthens and lengthens the muscles in conjunction with deep breathing. Wolfe says that deep breathing in itself is a ‘great cleanser that imparts richness to the skin and grace to the physique’.

Costs and Expenses

Eating for Beauty retails at $24.95.

There will probably be an increase in the cost of grocery expenses due to the recommendations to increase intake of fresh organic product and other special foods or supplements.

Pros

Will appeal to dieters who want to improve their physical appearance as well as lose weight.
Encourages the intake of a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Allows some animal products and cooked foods if desired.
Promotes yoga, which improves physical fitness, as well as relieving stress.
Highlights the importance of a positive attitude and emotional balance.
Includes over 30 recipes.

Cons

Many of the recommended foods such as black sesame seeds and durian may be expensive or difficult to find.
Meal plans include general recommendations only rather than a structured weekly outline.
Easy for dieters to consume too many calories, especially if they eat a lot of high fat foods such as avocado, olive oil and macadamia nuts.
Not targeted specifically towards weight loss.

Conclusions

Eating for Beauty will appeal to dieters who want to improve their physical appearance and enjoy eating a lot of fruit and vegetables. However for most dieters who wish to lose weight it will be necessary to also monitor calories and limit the intake of high fat foods.