The Sonoma diet, named after the region in northern California known for its wines, is an eating plan similar to the Mediterranean diet. The creator of the plan, dietitian Connie Guttersen, Ph.D., in her book, "The Sonoma Diet," emphasizes the use of whole foods to attain a person's ideal weight. Guttersen bases the diet's format on a few dietary theories she supports based on her work as a nutritionist and academic.
Whole Foods
The Sonoma diet includes a variety of whole foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, nuts and lean meats. Guttersen places few limitations within these categories, but emphasizes foods that provide high levels of nutrients and antioxidants such as strawberries, spinach, blueberries, broccoli, tomatoes and olive oil.
Waves
The diet plan is divided into "waves," which are stages that begin with fewer foods and gradually add in more foods. The first wave reportedly provides the highest level of weight loss. It lasts 10 days and all processed foods, sugars and dairy products are prohibited. The second wave allows fruits, some dairy products and natural sweeteners. The final stage, wave 3, is a maintenance phase that lasts indefinitely. In the third wave, Guttersen says to eat food from the previous stages and also include power foods high in antioxidants and nutrients, such as blueberries and spinach.
Theories
In the book, "The Sonoma Diet," Guttersen gives background information regarding the dietary choices she includes in the diet. She says sugars cause weight gain because sugar addiction creates an unhealthy blood sugar cycle that leads to cravings and overeating.
Additional Points
The Sonoma diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet because the food choices are similar. However, Guttersen's plan provides instructions for protein, fat and carbohydrate ratios, and she emphasizes weight loss, which is not the primary function promoted by the Mediterranean diet. The foods in the Sonoma Diet are expensive; particularly if eating organic produce is a priority, factoring cost into plans to follow the diet may be necessary.
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