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Sonoma, California is one of the most famous wine making areas in the United States. Based on the passion for wine and a balanced diet, the Sonoma Diet is a nutritionally oriented diet that strives to balance the love of wine with the love of healthy living. As research asserts that a glass of wine each day helps stimulate a myriad of physical benefits, the Sonoma Diet highlights the wellness benefits of wine and balanced dieting.

How Does the Sonoma Diet Work?

Created by Dr. Connie Guttersen, a registered dietician and educator at the Culinary Institute of America, the Sonoma Diet teaches dieters how to incorporate flavorful, balanced, and healthy foods into one’s regular lifestyle. As Guttersen asserts, delicious foods do not have to be sacrificed in order to live well; to the contrary, healthy foods can be both delicious and enjoyable!

While dieters adhering to the Sonoma principals are forced to sacrifice some foods, such as sugar and refined flours, most dieters find that the Sonoma Diet allows individuals to continue to consume a variety of tasty meal options.

Based on principals of the popular Mediterranean Diet, the Sonoma Diet encourages individuals to incorporate healthy foods such as olive oil, healthy cheeses, lean meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. While incorporating these healthy foods into daily meal plans, Guttersen teaches dieters about the principals of calories and portion sizes, while also educating dieters about the highest ranking “power foods,” that are low in calories but high in nutritional content. For example, among Guttersen’s top ten “power foods” include items such as:

• Almonds – High in filling protein and packed with nutrients
• Blueberries – Low calorie fruit option with a high amount of antioxidants
• Whole Grains – Stabilize blood sugar levels to prevent fat storage and hunger

Adding to her information on “power foods” and healthy choices, Guttersen further reinforces the concept of portion control by teaching dieters how to separate foods on a standard 9-inch plate. For example, Guttersen states that an average 9-inch dinner plate should be divided by filling half of the plate with vegetables, approximately 30 percent of the plate with lean meats, fish, or protein, and approximately 20 percent of the plate should be filled with whole grains. Dieters can follow portion control samples, such as this example, as they move through the various stages of the Sonoma Diet program, which allows dieters to eat three meals a day along with snacks.

Pros of the Sonoma Diet

• Guttersen is an expert dietician with an array of resources and support
• Dieters can take advantage of both the Sonoma Diet book and the Sonoma Diet online program
• The Sonoma Diet is intended to allow dieters to enjoy an array of foods without making drastic sacrifices

Cons of the Sonoma Diet

• Men are only supposed to consume approximately 1,300 calories, while women are only supposed to consume approximately 1,200 calories as dieters begin the program. This caloric amount may be too drastic for some dieters, and may also be difficult for some to follow.
• Dieters are encouraged to give up sugar and refined carbohydrates, which may be difficult for some dieters

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