The Sonoma Diet

Hello- really love this site! I was thinking of going back to South beach but then I started reading here. I gained most of my weight back, need to lower bloodlipids and lose about 30 lbs, this food sounds healthier than some of the processed stuff on SB, diet jello, Kraft foods are really loaded with junk, etc. I know I don't need to eat that stuff but the premise of this diet sounds healthier to me... ughhhhh. to much info... feedback? Thanks!

I signed up for the internet sonoma diet,but it is not appropriate for me and I have been trying unsuccessfully to get out of it. How do I do that??

Ed, I too looked all over the site for a phone number...I had a customer service number that popped up when I was having problems logging in, but not realizing that it was no where else on the site, I threw it away. I did find an e-mail address billing@sonomadiet.com...They were very helpful when I called. If I have trouble again and the customer service number comes up, I will come back and post it for you here. In the meantime, your credit card company will usually have a number associated with the charge, you might try them, and if all else fails dispute the charges, since they have apparently not shown us the way out. It's a shame that such a great diet has such a weak website. It should really be a free site until they get it together and have more to offer.

To Ed: Someone else posed the same question on the website and the nutritionist responded by telling them to call this number: 1-866-637-4860. Hope that works for you. kelly

I'm thinking of buying the book, but was wondering - in the first wave is orange juice allowed? I'm talking just 6 oz. I love my orange juice every morning with my cereal. Also, what about coffee? Do I have to give that up?

I love this Sonoma Diet recipes. My husband was never too thrilled with my cooking, and now he says he's eating restaraunt quality food.

I have to admit I'm not following the plan, but instead just using the concept to improve my eating habits. I'm using recipes from the book for 80% of my dinners, usually eating any leftovers for lunch, and then just trying to eat healthy the rest of the time. I'm exercising twice a week for 20-30 min, and I've already lost a couple of pound this month. Yes, it's coming off very slowly using this method, but it took me 12 years to put on the weight, so I don't expect to loose it in a few months.

Ps. I've drank 16 oz of OJ for the past two days, not what Dr. Guttersen had in mind I'm sure, but it's working for me.

I was at the gym last night and pick up a magazine and it had an article having to do with the sonoma diet. It sounded very easy to follow and it did not deprive you of carbs. I went and picked up the book today at BJ's wholesale store and have already liked what I have read. I have tried other diets but was always restricted of foods I loved. I am a mom with 2 children. Just had my second 7 mons ago and have gained more weight this time than I did with my first because I became a stay at home Mom. I hope this diet does it for me because I never knew how to portion my food. What is the most anyone has lost in wave 1? I think that the first 10 days will be alot easier than the 2 weeks of south beach.

Karen...no fruit at all in Wave 1...and I'm pretty sure no juice later either...because it doesn't have the fiber that an orange would have. The diet stresses whole, unprocessed foods. But you can have your coffee.

Thanks Kelly. I ordered the book and am expecting it any day now. Really looking forward to all the recipes, eating healthy and losing some weight.

Hi All,

Just posting to say how happy we are with this book. We've been on the "diet" for four weeks now and have both lost about 15 pounds. Of course, that also includes a few relapses like Super Bowl parties and the occasional margarita. We both have a goal of losing 50 pounds, so we're now at 35 to go and are very happy with our progress. Also, we have yet to really add exercising to the program. I'm sure we'll have to in order to hit our goal, but we haven't squeezed it into our day yet.

This book is exactly what I was looking for. I'm from Eastern European descent, so pierogies and butter were a staple in my repertoire. I was really just looking for a recipe book to give me clues on better meals, and then found this book, which has everything: portion sizes, which vegetables are better than others, great recipes and example menus to help you get started.

The author gives you tips on how to behave when you go out to eat, but the great thing is that once you're through the first 10 days, you kind of have a feel for what you want and what you don't anymore. You really do break that "white bread," Twinkie addiction and when we go out to eat, I don't even find myself attracted to the dishes that I used to crave - you know, slathered with sauces.

Finally, I just want to say that this is also the least griping I've ever gotten from my husband on a diet (and also the first really successful one). He's satisfied with the dishes and the ability to snack. He hates seafood, but he does tolerate it and EVEN HE complemented the Sicilian Tuna dish.

Thanks for listening and good luck!
Danielle

Is anyone doing this and is a competitive runner (I run marathons) and also a vegetarian. I know anyone reading thinks someone like that doesn't need to lose weight, but leaning out the last 8-10lbs would be great...

Any ideas?

I am just preparing myself for the Sonoma. I will begin the day after Valentines day. I don't think I can throw out all of the stuff that is suggested, like sugar and white flour. I might need it to do some cooking at a later date. What about you folks? I hope that I can stick with this diet as I am a real diet drop out and I am in need, healthwise and appearance.

i really do think that this diet would not work... there are too many carbs in all of the food that the people would eat

Hi all
I start this diet on Monday (2/13). That day was very hard. I had a headache I think from sugar withdraw. Thank God for motrin. I was also very hungry. The next day was better. Today is also good. I am not that hungry anymore. I got on the scale today and had already lose 2lbs. It would be nice to lose a lb/day. Has anyone found the mayonaise made from canola oil that the book talks about? If so what is the brand and where do you find it at a regular supermarket or do you have to go to a health store? Good luck to everyone.

In response to Lil: I wondered the same thing re Mayo made with canola oil. I had a jar of Helmanns light inthefridge and it listed vegetable oil so I decided to check out the health/organic food section of the local grocery store (Loblaws here in Ottawa, Canada). They had different kinds and all were made with canola oil - but very pricey. As I continued my shopping in the regular aisles, I came across the Helmann's brand of mayo and checked the ingredients and lo and behold canola oil was listed. I put back the pricey organic stuff and bought the cheaper Helmanns. It appears they changed the recipe. BTW, this "diet" is great - just started Wave 2 today and even with a few slips in Wave 1, still lost about 5.5 pounds. Good luck to everyone.

I started this "diet" on January 1. To date I have lost 14 pounds with 20 more to go. It is coming off very slowly at this point, but that assures me that it may stay off this time. I am a two time breast cancer survivor taking Lipitor for high cholestrol. My primary motiviation was more about getting healthy, then losing the extra weight. I feel healthy, strong and in control. We use to eat out several times a week but now I cook every night and enjoy it. I actually feel the food I prepare is so much better than I would get in a restaurant and ultimately much cheaper than eating out. I do shop for larger portions of meat, chicken, and fish at Sam's Club and freeze everything. I excercise daily. I do have a question...Kosher salt is recommended in all the recipes...why?

I started Wave I today. I had given up white flour and sugar along time ago doing the Suzanne Somers diet, so I don't think I will have a problem with that. My weight gain started when I started working 12 hour night shifts in a hospital 6p-6a. It's very difficult to know when to eat on nights. So far no other diet has worked for me since being on nights. Has anyone had success with Sonoma that works the kind of hours I do??

I am so excited to start this new way of eating. I have three children and a husband who all like take out and processed foods. I love healthy whole foods and hope that I can make my entire family enjoy this eating plan. Have people had much luck with children enjoying the food that this plan suggests?

Hi Everyone,
I bought the book saturday at Sams and read it entirely.This seems very realistic and much like i have been attempting to do for months. Just tweaked and with some great advice. I realized reading it that too much alcohol is my biggest culprit for not losing weight and sugar in my coffee and oh yeah carmel macchiatos :)
my family is excited about it also.
Money wise- i didnt spend anymore than i normally do.

I would be interested to hear the avg. weight loss per week of people who follow it closely.
Thanks

Hi everyone
Well I have lost 7 lbs to date ( started 2/13). I feel so much better and my close fit comfortable. I have another 10 lbs to go. I think the key is to losing weight is portion, water and exercise. I have tried several recipes from the book and some were good others I did not like. I feel like the food becomes too over powering with all those spices and the food tends to be very dry. I alternate with some of the good recipes and some from the book Eating for life by Bill Philips. I know that according to the Sonoma book she is releasing a cook book fall of 2006. Maybe that will have better recipes. I have food that it is very expensive to eat healthy ( my grocery bill) but it is worth it. I know that we are limited to diet soda howerver I have found one that is pretty good and doesn't leave a after taste. It is called waist watchers it has splenda in it. I had the diet orange. It is zero everything--carbs, calories,sodium,sugar,and fat. You can find it at your local supermarket. I know Acme has it that is were I bought mine. Good luck everyone.

This website needs mor einformation i am a student and i need to know more about this damn diet.. soo please if u could give me a 2 page report on this thankyou. write my name on top of the page too

Courtney, if you wanna know more about the diet, you have to *buy the book*. If this site starts publishing unauthorized summaries from books, it will be committing copyright violation. Also, don't you think the author deserves your $15 or whatever it costs used at Amazon.com for the trouble of developing the diet?

Courtney, if you wanna know more about the diet, you have to *buy the book*. If this site starts publishing unauthorized summaries from books, it will be committing copyright violation. Also, don't you think the author deserves your $15 or whatever it costs used at Amazon.com for the trouble of developing the diet?

I started Wave 1 today--so far, so good! I have a terrible headache, but that's probably from missing out on my usual four cups of coffee and loads of carbs. I'm trying to lose about 50 pounds, although I know it will take a long time, and I'm looking for a "buddy" since I usually lose my diet inertia on my own. Any takers?

F.Y.I. The Mediterranean Pork Chops are great!

Hello I just started Wave 1 3 days ago. I stepped on the scale before and after picking my jaw up off the floor (it was really depressing) I decided to really stick to this diet. I am looking for a buddy to diet with and share tips, moniter progress etc.... Is there anyone out there that would like to do this too??? Please let me know. Amy

Colette,

I just noticed that you are looking for a buddy too. I also need to lose about 50 pounds (aargh) Wanna be buddies? Let me know Thanks

I was at wal-mart waiting to check out and i was looking at all the magazines and the magazine FIRST caught my eye because it had alot of weight loss ideas in it. The big eye catcher DROP 14 LBS IN 10 DAYS!!!!!!! I tried the California's Sonoma Valley diet and in 14 days i lost the 10 lbs plus..... I have been on the diet now for 20 days and i have lost a total of 15 lbs and i have been cheating here and there. This is a great diet and i would recommend it to anyone who is serious about losing weight. The first 10 days were challenging but i had energy that i didn't know existed. Thanks

Diet look so good I actually looked it up. Please tell me why there are no similar diets for vegetarians. It'
s realy hard to figure out what to eat except lay off the cake. The bread.The pasta. Where is the proien? I'm guessing there is no substitute for chicked breast.

Hello all! Today is day 7 and I am 5 pounds lighter! More important I actually feel like I have energy again. I am planning on staying on wave 1 for a while, has anybody else done the same thing? Let me know. Amy

I am on day six and am really enjoying this plan. It takes planning and I am still having problems with the rest of my family enjoying the meals (they usually end up with a peanutbutter sandwich) I am hoping that they will accept the changes a few at a time. I haven't seen a huge energy spurt but I am hoping it is coming, I believe this the only way I am going to prevent myself from becoming diabetic and actually losing and keeping off the weight I need to lose.

Today is Day 1. I was snacking on veggies almost all day ... I guess I should not use egg substitute for my breakfast, since it's not that good.

I have almost 100 pounds to go. I almost cried on the scale. But that will change. It HAS to.

Next week I am going to a professional dinner meeting (I am the speaker, so I can't really get out of it), so I am going to ask for a special menu. I believe the meeting is at a restaurant, and if I take my own vinaigrette I should be fine with a grilled chicken breast and a spinach, romaine and veggie salad. No bread, no dessert.

I didn't understand the dinner for day 1 in the menus ... there is no grain, and aren't we supposed to have protein, grain, and vegetables for dinner? I cooked up some wild rice and had that with my chicken en papillote.

To those complaining about the time it takes to cook ... go to Costco and get the single-packed chicken breast in the 10-pound box, buy your meats and cut them into portion sizes and freeze all of them. Use a small zipper bag for each portion, and a large zipper bag to hold all the same food in. That way, you won't have a freezer full of tuna steak and no chicken and not be able to figure out what you have on hand easily.

Take the foods from the freezer for the next day's meals out right after dinner and put them in the refrigerator to thaw. They will be ready to go. (The flank steak needs to marinate, but otherwise this works.)

When you buy lemons, zest and then juice each one. Store the zest and juice in containers in the fridge. Now you don't have to stop and zest a lemon for just a pinch.

Almost all the recipes can be cut down to feed two people; that way you are not stuck with a ton of leftovers.

A little planning will help a lot!

Barbara

Hello everyone

I started 6 days ago and found that the dinners are wonderful. However I don't like any of the lunch items, so I have been eating salads which I never do and am drinking plan water. I have lost a few pounds about 3. I am wondering is it because I am only eating veggies for lunch (not really putting in any meat/chicken)? I do have 2 packets of splenda per day with creamer in my tea--I tried to give it up but need it to start my day. Any advice. I am exercising daily.

I am also finding myself spending way too much time in the kitchen--but I am making lunches/breakfast for the day.

Thanks for the advice

Denise

After many unsuccessful forays into the diet world, I have just started this one today...mostly because I love Mediterranean food, and I'll be allowed to drink wine. I love the variety of foods that are encouraged. Already, I'm having avocado, which is a food I love but wouldn't normally buy.

If you'd like to track my progress and see how the diet works day by day, just follow the link to my blog!

This is the first official 'diet' that I have tried and it definitely is a lifestyle way of eating. I never thought I could give up sugar but after Wave 1, I absolutely accomplished that goal.
I have been following the program since Feb 25 and do not know how much I have lost but the roll around my middle is definitely shrinking.

I chose this one over SB because I didn't think I could give up grains for 14 days. Therefore for me, 10 days initially with grains included was more realistic. I love the portion sizes and the recipes. The food is so flavourful with so much variety my husband is eating along with me without being officially on a 'diet'. Thank you Connie!

Hey Everybody I just tried this diet for about a month, and nothing really happened. I guess I'll call it quites and try something with a little bit better food. Actually I'll just try exercising a little bit more.

Hello all. I started the Sonoma Diet on March 22 and as of today I have lost 10 lbs. I will admit I have cheated a few times so I am very happy with my loss. I got on the scale this morning and was pleasantly surprised. We are having a weight loss challenge at my work and I am doing better than people who are doing other diets (that will remain nameless.)The only weight loss tool that has ever worked for me was the Divorce diet and I don't recommend that for anyone. The food is delicious. Every recipe I have tried I have liked. I never thought I could eat so many veggies and be satisfied, but I am. I don't seem to be doing as much cooking as I did with the South Beach. I was exhausted with that one.

A tip, I usually make a large chicken breast or 2 for my dinner. Then with what is left over, I will use for lunches the next couple of days. The Black Bean Chicken Wrap is to die for. A big thank you to the person who supplied the Greek Pizza. Looks delicious. I may use a whole wheat pita bread instead of the Boboli crust since I already have that in my kitchen. Good luck to everyone. 10 Down, 20 to Go.

Connie Guttersen will be signing her book at Borders Books in Dallas TX. 3600 Mckinney Ave. 214-219-0512.She'll be there April 25th at 7pm. The store ships books also.

Hi Gang, Connie Guttersen will also be signing her book at Borders Books in Sacramento, CA on Fair Oaks Blvd. Thursday, April 20th at 7:00 pm. Some of us who have lost lbs. are going a couple closing in on 50 lbs!

I've mostly done Atkins for that last 3 years off and on, going up and down by 30 pounds, this time around, I've lost 15 pounds in the last 3 months, need to lose another 15, but like in the past, I know I'm gonna fall off the diet and gain it all back. I bought this book yesterday to try a more balanced approach, I'm gonna start it this weekend and try the online program, $25 isn't that much if it helps at all. Hope it works!

I bought this book a while ago but never got around to really working with it. I am encouraged by everyone's initial success. Is there anyone out there that has met their goal and maintained it? I am hoping that people aren't getting bored and failing but not bothering to log on to this website.
Thanks