The High School Reunion Diet

Want glowing, luminous skin and a slim figure? Dr. David Colbert, founder of the New York Dermatology Group, says there's a "cosmetic wonder drug" out there that's even better than Botox.

"It's food," he says. "Eating true food that's close to its natural source allows our bodies to rejoin or reconnect with nature without all the chemicals. Our skin, hair, waistlines, and eyes respond with a radiant thank you."

Dr. Colbert's book, "The High School Reunion Diet," was inspired by his patients, who often asked for cosmetic procedures like Botox in advance of school reunions. The book charts a more natural course by discouraging processed foods and championing a nutrient-rich diet, and it includes a 30-day plan for a healthier you.

5 Fresh Foods
Revamping your diet can seem overwhelming, but Dr. Colbert recommends these five foods as a great starting point.

1. Greek yogurt with berries: Yogurt is filled with protein, good fats, and calcium. This combo leads to better cell function, strong bones, and moist skin. Fresh berries are loaded with antioxidants, which protect us from free radicals (the substances that cause us to age).

2. Olive oil: Olive oil is packed with the right fats to make you slim and heart-healthy. It reduces inflammation and cholesterol and improves skin circulation and digestion. All of these factors lead to a healthier appearance.

3. Almonds: Almonds lower cholesterol and contain vitamin E, which helps skin fight free radicals. The natural oils give the skin resilience.

4. Kale: Kale is a superfood that has lots of fiber, vitamin A, and carotenoids that protect the skin from the sun's UV rays. It mixes well with most foods.

5. Bell peppers: Red and orange bell peppers contain the vitamin C needed for collagen production and tighter skin. They also contain natural anti-inflammatories.

Sugar Incognito
Sugar is a notorious diet-don't, leading to such diseases as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. If you do eat foods that are high in sugar, Dr. Colbert recommends pairing high-fiber foods with them, which will slow the absorption of sugar into the system.

Avoiding sugar can be difficult since it's a hidden ingredient in so many of the foods we eat, especially highly processed foods. To help you root out the added sugar in your diet, Dr. Colbert compiled this catalog of ways sugar is often listed on labels:

Resources
For more information about the High School Reunion Diet, visit highschoolreuniondiet.com.