Dr. Oz Youth Diet

Cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz is the bestselling author of "You: On a Diet." His diet is sometimes called the "youth diet" because the doctor claims following his rules can help you live to a much older age. The youth diet is not extreme, but rather involves sensible rules about eating and living healthily. "Cutting 100 calories a day--the equivalent of a Granny Smith apple--is a dieting strategy that most people can sustain for a lifetime," Dr. Oz writes on his website. After writing his book and appearing on "Oprah," Dr. Oz gained a cult following. He got his own TV show in 2009.

What to Eat

The youth diet steers people toward superfoods, which contain natural antioxidants that help fight cancer and keep you young. These superfoods include berries, spinach, oatmeal, yogurt and green tea, among others. Dr. Oz encourages people to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and use lots of spice on their food to help curb appetite.

What Not to Eat

The "youth diet" encourages you to ditch complex carbohydrates such as those found in processed foods. Hydrogenated oils are also the enemy, says Dr. Oz. Anything that is a whole food, naturally cooked, is preferable.

Fight Cravings

Dr. Oz recognizes that a single candy bar can derail a dieter for the day. He says not to ignore cravings nor deprive yourself too much, but to fulfill them in healthy ways before they get out of control. For example, the doctor carries an emergency snack of nuts or dried fruit to get a quick caloric, sweetness or crunch fix.

De-stress

Dr. Oz also says that non-food options, like a glass of water, a good night's sleep or sex, can help kill your cravings. One of the leading causes of aging, he says, is stress. Stress may also have you reaching for the cookie box. So to fight stress, he recommends getting extra sleep and doing mild exercise like yoga.

Monotony in the Morning

Many diets recommend switching the kinds of food you eat every day. But Dr. Oz says that too much choice can be confusing and stimulate cravings. He recommends making the same choices for breakfast every morning, so that you automatically reach for something healthy. Steel-cut oats, a great source of fiber, and eggs for protein are his top choices. Dr. Oz says that settling on the same healthy breakfast and even lunch can put you in a good rhythm. "Then, come dinnertime, you can enjoy a variety of options!" Dr. Oz says on his website.