The Sonoma Diet is a commercial weight-loss plan designed by Dr. Connie Guttersen, a registered dietitian and biochemist. In general, the Sonoma Diet offers a healthy way of eating designed to be used over the long term, but there are some drawbacks to this diet. Carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether this plan is for you.
Sonoma Diet
The Sonoma Diet, which was revamped in early 2011 into the New Sonoma Diet, promotes healthy eating in a style similar to the diet of Mediterranean peoples and people living in the Sonoma area of California. The diet progresses through three waves, starting with a restrictive 10-day phase designed to induce rapid weight loss and then moving into steady weight loss and maintenance. The Sonoma Diet provides online support as well as books and cookbooks for purchase to help the dieter follow the program.
Advantages
A major advantage of the Sonoma Diet is its emphasis on healthy, delicious foods. Because the menus do not restrict food groups, dieters using the Sonoma Diet don't feel deprived of specific foods they love. The diet also has some health benefits beyond weight loss. The New Sonoma Diet uses the glycemic index as part of the method to determine which foods to emphasize or limit, so people on this diet might achieve better blood glucose control. Because the diet consists mainly of nutritious, enjoyable whole foods, it is easy to continue following it, making it a good long-term diet choice.
Disadvantages
One disadvantage to the Sonoma Diet is the cost of ingredients needed to make recipes that follow this diet plan. The diet also recommends the purchase of special small-sized plates and bowls, which can be another extra expense for dieters. Because portion control is a central tenet of the diet, a dieter might experience hunger between meals and snacks. The Sonoma Diet also does not offer exercise guidelines or suggestions, although physical activity is an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Considerations
In general, the Sonoma Diet provides healthy guidelines for eating, especially for people who enjoy the types and variety of foods listed as the 12 "super foods" that all people on the program should consume regularly: beans, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, almonds, bell pepper, citrus fruits, spinach, olive oil, whole grains, grapes and tomatoes. Get the approval of your doctor before starting the Sonoma Diet or any other weight-loss program.
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