Nutrisystem Diet Review for Weight Loss

Sonoma Diet Program

Guttersen deserves credit for recognizing that dieting does not equal deprivation. And there’s no shortage of advice for living the "healthy" Mediterranean lifestyle. After all, California's Sonoma and Napa valleys are home to fresh fruits and vegetables, aromatic herbs and spices, fine wine, lean meats, fish and heart-friendly olive oil. The abundant pickings make weight loss an exciting flavor adventure, rather than a test in tolerance. And it's available to dieters nationwide, though it may be more expensive in some areas than others. With a cover line that promises a "trimmer waist and better health in just 10 days," the Sonoma Diet's aggressive first wave may be too restrictive for some. And while Guttersen offers some fabulous recipes for those with a culinary bent, they may be too time-intensive and expensive for many Americans.

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This is the perfect diet for foodies and wannabe cooks, particularly if they lean toward the highest quality ingredients -- lean cuts of meat, fresh fish, organic and seasonal produce, herbs and spices. And if they enjoy a daily glass of red, well, that helps too!

Does the diet take and keep weight off? Since dieters are required to swap out their dinnerware for 9-inch tasting plates, they're likely

to take in fewer calories -- and lose weight. A techniquereminiscent of gourmet cuisine (think a modest 3-ounce fillet served at five star restaurants), the Sonoma diet maximizes flavor by using high-quality ingredients and minimizes portions. So, in a sense, it's no different than other portion control diets that strive to limit calorie intake.

Is the diet healthy? Yes, with the exception of Wave 1. Filling up on the 10 power foods delivers maximum nutrition with a minimum of calories. The caveat: Fruit-related power foods are off limits during the first wave and there's very little focus on exercise. That said, the diet itself encourages an active lifestyle. Residents of the Sonoma and Napa valleys spend more time outdoors. They toil over food selection and preparation, which in itself is a means of burning calories. And foods like freshly grilled salmon and lentil salads are more likely to prompt a workout than a plate of steak with béarnaise sauce.

What do the experts say? Tara Gidus, M.S., R.D., National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, likes how the Sonoma Diet encourages enjoyment of food. "So many diets make you feel deprived and like you are in a prison or very restricted. This diet gives you the feeling that you can enjoy food again and still lose weight," she says. And there are good recipes to boot. What she doesn't like: Guttersen's requirement that dieters cut out fruit during the first wave and purge their pantries. "The first wave is too strict and may not be realistic for most Americans." What’s more, exercise is only given a fleeting mention, another big drawback.

Who should consider the diet? This is the perfect diet for foodies and wannabe cooks, particularly if they lean toward the highest quality ingredients -- lean cuts of meat, fresh fish, organic and seasonal produce, herbs and spices. And if they enjoy a daily glass of red, well, that helps too!

The Bottom Line: The Sonoma Diet will not result in overnight weight loss. If you have the time and patience to work with new recipes and follow the portion control guidelines, you can lose weight on this diet -- and enjoy yourself in the process.