The Sonoma Diet: A Food Lover's Weight-Loss Plan

The Philosophy

The Sonoma Diet is a unique weight-loss plan that brings together the art and science of food. The food philosophy behind it is designed to make you healthier -- and happier. The diet gets it name from California's beautiful Sonoma County, a paradise of great-tasting, sun-drenched foods. Sonoma County cuisine is a way of eating that takes its cues from those who live on or near the Mediterranean Sea. These two communities -- New World and Old World -- have something in common besides superb nutritional instincts. They share a festive approach to eating and a heartfelt love of great food that turns every meal into a celebration.

Decades ago researchers started pondering why Mediterranean populations live healthier, longer lives with lower rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes compared with groups in many other parts of the world. The answer lies in the food, which is minimally processed. Healthy eating is not based on avoiding certain "dangerous" or "unhealthy" foods; it's about enjoying more of those foods that are rich in nutrients, such as seasonal vegetables, whole grains, fruits, beans, nuts, and olive oil. Fish and poultry are more prominent than red meat or dairy. Wine, red or white, also plays an important role in meals.

The big difference between the Sonoma and Mediterranean diets, though, is the goal. The Sonoma Diet is designed for losing weight and keeping it off. Connie Guttersen, PhD, a registered dietitian who specializes in nutritional physiology, has combined the heart-healthy Mediterranean way of eating with the most-up-to-date studies to create a diet plan resulting in safe, easy weight loss. With the latest research showing that seven out of 10 American women and nine out of 10 men will become overweight or obese by age 60, effective plans like Sonoma are urgently needed.

The diet is neither low carb nor low fat. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy, nutrients, and fiber, and limiting them is a strategy that can't be maintained because it's unhealthy and unsatisfying. Fats are absolutely essential because they help your body absorb nutrients. Most important, they create a feeling of fullness as no other food type can, which prevents overeating. The food choices and portion control built into the Sonoma Diet are calculated for the optimal balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats -- a balance that keeps you satisfied at every step of your weight-loss journey.