The Sonoma Diet

The concept of the Sonoma Diet is not new; Dr. Gutterson acknowledges her debt to the Mediterranean Diet early in the book. What is new, however, is the emphasis on portion control, handily taught through pull-out diagrams of plates and percentages for each type of food. And the recipes emphasize not only healthy eating but full flavor as well. So why buy this book? First: The food is terrific. The recipes alone are worth the price of the book. I have rarely had a cookbook that had such consistently fine results. I've cooked exclusively from the Sonoma Diet for the past six weeks and have not yet had a failed or unsuccessful recipe. I would not hesitate to serve this food to company. In fact, I already have, several time. People always ask me for the recipes I've used. Needless to say, they are very surprised when I pull out a "diet" book to show them the recipe! Second: this is a healthy eating plan. This is the diet all of us should strive to follow. With its emphasis on whole grains, lean protean, vegetables, fruit, and nuts, in appropriate portions, the Sonoma Diet is a blueprint for lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and better health. Third: Does it work? Certainly, if you follow the recommended portions and daily food intake. I started the diet with about 20 pounds to lose; thus, my weight loss on any diet is slower than for people who have much more weight to lose. In six weeks, I've lost 10 pounds. While this might not sound very impressive, I have lost this weight while not feeling deprived, while eating great food daily, and even having a glass of wine with dinner every night and a small piece of chocolate most evenings! In addition, I have lost 15 inches (5 from my waist alone) and two sizes. This is by far the most effective eating plan I've ever tried, simply because it has so quickly become a way of life. My husband, who does not need to lose an ounce, loves the food as well. Fourth: Please note that this diet focuses on fresh, whole food, freshly prepared. If you want to eat protein bars and shakes, THIS IS NOT YOUR DIET. If you want convenience food and diet pop, THIS IS NOT YOUR DIET. If you don't want to spend some time in the kitchen, if the thought of grocery shopping makes you ill, if you don't want to slow down for at least one meal a day, you probably ought to look elsewhere! This diet requires planning and food preparation. If you don't know how to cook already, then be prepared to learn. Fifth: This is not a crash diet or a miracle diet. This is a whole life eating plan. After six weeks, I feel healthy, energetic, and satisfied. I see no reason why I won't continue to lose weight at 1 to 1.5 pounds a week--exactly the rate nutrionists tell us is healthy and sustainable--until I reach my goal.

I was very sceptical at first to buy this book..I thought it was just another diet book. But I gave it a try. I read it from cover to cover and then I decided to head to the grocery store. Everything I bought was from my own supermarket, even the wine. I ate the simple menus and even tried the recipes in the book. The weight started falling off. The first week I lost 6 lbs, the 2nd week 4lbs...then after that it was 2 lbs. I have lost a total of 17 lbs in 6 weeks....but the biggest thing was the inches...you see..I wore a size 18 pants and now I'm in a 12. I'm 42 years young b/c I feel young. I have alot of energy and my husband says I look like I'm in my 20's. You can't go wrong with this way of eating. Just give it a try..you won't be sorry.

Having collected and tried just about every diet known to man (and woman), I have FINALLY FOUND THE ANSWER!!!!!!! The Sonoma plan has rid me of my constant cravings, thanks to the first ten days of no sugar nor refined white flour foods, I'm FREE AT LAST!! 12 and 1/2 pounds of unwanted fat are now history, with the promise of reaching my eventual weight and health goals while dining on gourmet tasting, relatively easy to prepare, delicious foods. YUMMMMMM!!! Even my husband has enjoyed the fabulous flavors of the recipes in the book. As for those who complain of the complexity of the meal plans -- they are provided as a suggested guide, not an absolute necessity to follow. If I were to cite one weakness of the author's plan, I would say that she doesn't include enough fat-free dairy foods into the program. I use fiber rich vegetables along with the protein found in fat-free dairy products for my in-between meal snacks -- that 4 PM time is still a time that I feel the need of something healthy and appetite satisfying to tie me over until our dinner at 7 PM. Jorge Cruise's "The 3 Hour Diet" is closer to the TIMING of the way I eat, but his suggestion of refined sugary junk food as snacks while limiting fruit to one serving a day is unhealthy as well as appetite stimulating to me! Health professionals are always urging the American public to include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains into their diets. The illustrations of portions of these elements on a 7" plate at breakfast and a 9" plate at lunch and dinner make this completely clear. Adding more vegetables to my diet went over my head until I saw exactly just how much vegetables should comprise our meals. I can't say enough good things about this program -- my personal physician is even excited about it, and in 3 months we shall see at what levels my blood cholesterol, (both HDL and LDL), as well as triglyceride levels shall reach. My guess is that there shall be dramatic improvements in all areas, as well as reduced lbs. and dress sizes! It's the diet that feels like dining at a fine restaurant -- definitely a joy instead of deprivation. Just know that it does require some preparation time, but then all good things take effort! BON APPETIT!!!!!!!!!!

I thought the overall concept of healthful eating sounded much better than preplanned and scheduled diets, and convinced my husband to try it. I have always wanted to buy lots of fresh produce and lean meats at the grocery store to be a "good mom" to my 2 young kids, but had no idea what to do with all that stuff when I got it home. The Sonoma Diet will teach you how to prepare meals centered around fresh ingredients, and it is flexible - fruits & veggies can be fresh, frozen, or canned for convenience. The main goal is to teach you healthful habits that you can continue with after the diet period. I recommend the website subscription, though the cost can run up, but you get access to over 500 recipies to pick and choose from. Using these you can create your weekly menus and shopping lists around what sounds good to you. The bonus is that many of the recipies are classified as "family friendly" and my kids will actually eat them, so dinner is easy, and my husband takes the extra portion to work with him for lunch the next day. If you are short on time, there are also slow cooker and quick & easy recipies, but you may not have as much variety. If you want a diet that is easy for one or more people to use, without having to prepare separate meals or separating food, this is the way to go. You will learn healthful eating habits that will last a lifetime.

I love her approach of "Food is wonderful! Look at all the foods you get to eat!" I also love her "power foods" list which includes blueberries, whole grains, olive oil, spinach and almonds -- it's almost a no-guilt diet...eat things you love and lose weight at the same time. Her recipes look extraordinary and the ones I've tried so far have been amazing -- all fresh food, but easy to find at the grocery store. Her emphasis on flavor and variety is also inspiring -- you don't need to eat celery and rice cakes to lose weight, far from it. There is a bit more emphasis on food combinations than I esp like at this early stage, but I'm following along for a while because it will probably help with the variety issue as much as anything else. How many of us just get sick to death of our diet food and can't bear to eat another bite? With her approach, "diet food" may actually be "great food" that you never want to give up.