The Sonoma Diet

Connie Guttersen created one of the most balanced and highly moderate diets that have existed on the market till date.  The Sonoma Diet is a very unique one of a kind weight loss program which has no restrictions on food groups, doesn’t include the fuss about counting calories and has a very different gourmet Mediterranean elegance.

Sonoma Diet - What exactly is it?

sonomadiet

Well, lets start off with where it originated. The Sonoma Diet is named after the Sonoma region located in Calfornia, USA, an area that is infamous for it’s quality vineyards. Connie Guttersen is a proffessional dietician/author who had been conducting a lot of research in the area.

Now that we’ve told you where it came from, lets see what it is. The main focus of the Sonoma Diet is to portion out the meals. The most complaints about weight loss programs currently in the market is that consumers are tired of counting calories and placing food restrictions on themselves; and that some of the food they are required to eat taste disgusting. The Sonoma Diet is based on the theory that their consumers are to enjoy while losing their weight and extra fat at the same time. This theory is practised by their concept called “Plate and Bowl”. This concept assigns a specific plate size for each meal, and if that was not enough, they also include instructions on how to exactly fill that plate.

3 Waves Concept

The Sonoma Diet is split into three phases, or three waves in their words.

Wave 1:

Duration: 10 Days

Goal: Curb Food Cravings, no restictions placed on carbs, just mental training on getting the consumer’s mind off of their favourite most delicious yet the unhealthiest food items.

Wave 2

Goal: This phase is where the consumer starts focusing on weight loss. Even though, it includes a broad range of delicious food, including wine and many fruits

Wave 3

Goal: Once your goal has been reached, and the realistic weight you wanted achieved, focuses on the life-long habits and continuing healthy eating

Here is a list of some sample meal plans that are included in the Sonoma Diet:

Sample Breakfast


Mushroom Omelet
Scrambled Eggs with Feta and Dill

Sample Lunche
Greek Pizza
Chile-Mint Burgers

Sample Dinner
Marinated Flank Steak
Bistro Chicken and Garlic

Sample Dessert
Apple-Blueberry Tart
Citrus Granita

Sonoma Diet Recipes (some great recipes on some foods that are included in the Sonoma Diet)

The following video contains a nutrition tip from a Sonoma Diet Expert:

Here is a success story from Suzy who tried the Sonoma Diet and lost 65 pounds:

Suzy Lost 65 Pounds — And Kept It Off!

Facing a Challenge

I started gaining weight later in life — mostly after the birth of my third child. As I got older, however, I also developed arthritis. The medication made me gain weight, and I even got the point where I was getting too big for my wheelchair. I fell down one time and you should have seen my husband trying to pick me up! I knew something had to change.

It’s funny; I started following The Sonoma Diet before I had even heard of it! I set some sensible guidelines for myself — I banished foods like sugar and white potatoes from my diet, for example, and ate smaller portions — and it worked! I started losing weight right away. Then I saw The Sonoma Diet mentioned on TV and I got so excited. I got the book immediately. There’s so much good information in it about eating right. I loved the plate guidelines and the Power Foods list. These were rules I was already trying to follow, and the book took all the guesswork out of it.

A New Kind of Feast

My arthritis doesn’t allow me a whole lot of time in the kitchen, so the easier it is to prepare meals, the better. In the morning, I usually have cereal. I used to eat Rice Krispies, but if you read the nutrition facts label, you’ll notice that they contain high-fructose corn syrup! Now I eat something like Kashi, or I’ll have a piece of toast with peanut butter.

For lunch, I try to keep it simple — tuna on whole grain bread, cottage cheese, tomatoes, a little bit of avocado. And I eat salads almost every evening with dinner, especially with chicken. I also love fruit! Before I started The Sonoma Diet, I’d eat ten Oreo cookies at once. Now I choose grapes or apples, or almost any kind of fruit, really. I never would have thought this was possible, but I find myself really wanting to eat healthier meals.

The Turnaround

Over the course of a year, I’ve lost 65 pounds* — and I’ve kept off every pound of it! I can’t believe it; I tell people all the time that I feel like a movie star! I remember when I finally got below 200 pounds. I never thought I would be there again. And here’s a funny story: My whole life, I thought I had big legs. It turns out that’s just where I naturally carry my weight. For the first time in my life, my legs actually look skinny! I have ankles and a shinbone and knees. Who knew?

Of course, I never told anyone that I was on a diet. I really don’t like that word. I had tried the no-carb fad diets and I hated them! On this plan, you eat such an amazing variety of foods — I can live without things like beans and nuts. To me, this is truly a lifestyle change, and something that I can really live with for the rest of my life.

Strategies for Every Day

Holidays and parties have been a breeze. When I first started on this plan, it was right before Thanksgiving, so I got through that holiday, then Christmas, and then my birthday without a problem. I just learned to say no to unhealthy food. It’s as simple as that. I went to a barbecue at a friend’s house and there was pasta and lots of food with creamy sauces. I just promised myself that I wouldn’t touch any of it. At one point, however, someone brought out a vegetable tray, and I knew I could have some of that. It’s just a matter of making the right choices.

And I can go to any restaurant I want. That has never been a problem. At a place like Red Lobster, almost everything on the menu is fried, but there are options. Last time I went, I ordered a piece of salmon, some shrimp, and wild rice — it was delicious, and I didn’t feel stuffed afterward. At Chili’s, I found a wonderful salad with black beans. I’ve learned that I can make the right choices anywhere. And boy, do I feel empowered!

Tips and Tricks From Suzy

  • Banishing the bad stuff: Before I started The Sonoma Diet, I’d go through a jar of mayonnaise or whole sticks of butter in a week. I don’t even buy those things now. Unhealthy food just isn’t important anymore, and really, it’s not even appealing to me.
  • A fix for fish: I’ve always loved fish, but I ate it breaded and with fatty dipping sauce. Now I grill or bake my salmon with just lemon, olive oil, and herbs, and it’s every bit as delicious.
  • Favorite compliment: I can’t tell you how I love to hear these words: “Wow, Mom! You’re getting so skinny!”
  • Managing the occasional treat: Of course, there are times when I will allow myself to have a treat. I lost the weight slowly, so I know that I won’t gain it back immediately. But I also know that if I really want that ice cream cone, I need to be especially conscientious about what I eat the next day.


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4 Responses to “The Sonoma Diet”

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