Sonoma Diet Web Site

[amyepfaff]

They already have a website up like South Beach. Its at http://www.sonomadiet.com. The cost of the program is $5.00 per week. I'm not sure about that one yet. I'm already on Ediets and may use their meditteranean diet to start.

I've not picked up the book yet, just read the article in BHG Diet magazine I picked up yesterday. I love the mediterranean foods anyway and have Mediterranean diet cookbook. It has some really good food in it.

I also like the idea that on Wave 2 I can have a glass of wine with dinner. This is important since I'll be opening a wine bar/gourmet food store in 2006 in Charlotte.

Amy

[Suzanne 3FC]

I signed up for the online service to see what it was like. It's owned by the same company that operates the South Beach online service. When you register, you have to prepay, so it's $65. The menu generator is nice, but there's no more info on the site than what is in the book, for a fraction of the cost. I agree, the eDiets med diet may provide all you need with their menu system, and it would be easy to tweak if necessary.

[LindaT]

I went to sign up for the one week free usage that is advertised in the book, but you cannot get that unless you enter a credit card, which they won't change until the free period is over.:nono: :headache: That just makes me nervous, so I didn't do it.

One interesting thing.. their site shows a healthy BMI range is 20-27, rather than the normal 20-25 I've seen in most places. Yes I agree that the BMI is not a completely accurate measure of health, but I find it interesting that their range was slightly different.

Wish for $5.00 a week someone would come cook my meals. THAT I could go for! :carrot:

[Suzanne 3FC]

I didn't get the week free, they dinged my cc right away :( I went to the url in the book, but who knows what happened. I signed up the day the online site opened.

Linda, one of my dreams (maybe a pipedream, lol) is to start a service where we will actually cook your diet meals and deliver them to you :) There are several sucessful companies around the country that do just that, but not in my area.

Back to the online service, I don't see anything there that isn't in the book, other than the meal planner. At a glance, it even looks like they offer the same recipes as are in the book. There is a forum, but we have that here for free :)

[Amarantha]

This just looks like another of the endless clones of Sugar Busters, South Beach, etc., to me ... sorry, but I just don't see anything that new. :)

[Suzanne 3FC]

The basis is the Mediterranean diet, which isn't new. It's been around for many centuries. But the way it's laid out is very similar to South Beach, etc. I guess there are only so many ways you can teach people to pay attention to what you're eating, and many diets do seem repetitive in that way. I think it offers more food choices, which may help some people stick to it better. If you don't enjoy your meals, and you walk away feeling deprived, then you won't stick to it long. There are several small differences between each of the diets, but sometimes it's just something small that makes a person dislike a particular diet. If someone tried South Beach (etc) and couldn't stick with it, then they may have better luck with this diet. We all have to keep trying until we find what fits us best.

[scl]

I appreciated the review on your site home page and I love Med. food. One question for anyone who has read the book: Were there any studies cited in the book suggesting this plan offers success under "controlled" conditions? Did it compare to other plans or to doing nothing?

Thanks!

[Indiacatz]

Hi... Just my two cents worth.. .My doc is greek and he always touts the benefits of a mediterrian diet.... I have several forms of arthritis and is always after me to change my diet .... This diet helps people with many different health issues to get better... I have several books on the med diet also but I think I will get the sonoma book too.. I use fitday to enter my calories and foods for the day.. I f ind that keeps me accountable too... Happy New Years all.... India

[Goddess Jessica]

I've been looking at the mediterranean diet for the new year. The Cute Boyfriend has high blood pressure and my family has a ton of heart disease. The mediterranean diet sounds like an excellent choice. Only problem is that I haven't been able to find a lot of guidelines for it. So, this might become a good second choice. :)

I'm a huge fan of Dr. Weil, here's his thoughts on the mediterranean diet:
http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA342569/

[Amarantha]

Well, I agree this looks like a good plan ... didn't mean to sound negative, just meant that I think there's no magic bullet in this weight loss journey, but having a plan helps. I'm a believer in the benefits of wine ... it's my family's business, actually, though I personally don't drink alcohol.

[buffybear]

In my humble opinion the book is great but the website leaves a lot to be desired.

The upsides of the diet are: very healthy and deliecious if you like Mediterranean cuisine.

Downsides are: A LOT of cooking. I cook as both a neccessity AND a hobby so that doesn't bother me. Another downside is the website. While the plan itself as outlined in the book is very simple, the website is not easy to navigate and there are some glitches which have not been worked out yet. Another downside is that many of the foods allowed are expensive.

Actually, all anyone really needs to know is the simple diet as outlined in the magazine article (I think it was Family Circle--can't remember right off hand) and the list of foods for Wave I and Wav II. There is a little laminated tear out tri-fold page in the very back of The Sonoma Diet book that summarizes the entire program and that is all you really need to do the diet.

I plan to cancel my online account at Sonoma Diet and try to get my money back.

Oh, by the way, I did lose 5 lbs. so far since I started the day the book came out--Dec. 27th. :)

[ladyinweighting]

Hi Everyone,

I post on the Jorge Cruise board, but I've decided to try the Sonoma Diet. With JC, you can eat just about anything - it's more about portion size and timing. I ordered the book from the place recommended on the 3 chicks homepage article. However, I just saw it at Sam's for $13 something.

Even though the Sugar-Buster clones are all mostly the same, I sometimes need something "new" to get me back on track.

Lynn

[Suzanne 3FC]

I agree, Lynn, sometimes it just takes a little something new to get us interested again. At least that's how I am. There are a lot of wacky new diets coming out, but this one seems more balanced and should be easy to stick to.

Buffybear, congratulations on the great start! :bravo: I have to agree, the official site isn't offering a whole lot for the money. Everything can be found in the book for a fraction of the cost, except for the meal planner. However, I've noticed that several people on their forum are complaining about the meal planner and recipes, apparently there are some technical glitches with it. I normally would understand that sort of problem on a brand new website, but their site is owned by the same company that runs the official South Beach site and several other similar sites and it uses the same type of system. They should already have the kinks worked out.

[petra65]

Suzanne-don't hold your breath. You're going to like what I have to say about this book. :) I've read a ridiculous number of diet books. I think somewhere around 16 at last count and this is a good one. The science/nutrition is impeccable. What I think this diet offers that the other books don't is STRUCTURE. That is a real problem with both Southbeach and Sugar Busters. Sugar Busters has to be one of the most unstructured programs I've ever read. I believe the forum here can compensate for the lack of structure in the South Beach book but if you didn't have that you might have trouble figuring things out on your own (how much of what to add back when.) My criticisms of the Sonoma diet book are very minor and really not about the plan per se.

There are only 2 diets that have real scientific proof of benefit to health BEYOND weight loss--particularly to heart health. Those are the Dean Ornish plan and the Mediterranean Diet. The Dean Ornish plan has been shown to actually reverse coronary artery disease but only if you follow the entire program (leading to some question about whether or not it is the diet that is responsible for this effect. There is some speculation that it is actually the meditation portion of the program that is responsible. Ponder that for a minute.)

The people who live in the Mediterranean region of the world and eat this diet as part of their culture have some of the lowest rates of coronary disease in the world which is what caused interest in the Med diet in the first place. There are numerous studies which show it reduces the incidence of coronary disease and reduces the risk of a second heart attack in people who already have coronary disease. Sorry if I'm telling you things you already know, but for those who don't know why this might be a good plan to consider, these are some good reasons. And all this is coming from someone who doesn't follow either of these plans--just knows her science.

[Suzanne 3FC]

Suzanne-don't hold your breath. You're going to like what I have to say about this book. :)


:lol: I agree with you and I appreciate your opinion :D I tried Ornish, because I do have heart disease, but it was to difficult to stick to. So I tried Ornish'ish and did well for a while, but still couldn't live with it. I've always been intrigued by the Mediterranean diet and was disappointed when our Med diet forum didn't take off. But I think the Sonoma Diet will more than make up for it.

[Aiyana]

I can already tell that I'm already going to have trouble with the no sweets thing! After my 1st workout in 6 months and coming off a 2 month Sugar High ...I am Cheating! I have mindlessly hit the sweets basket several times and then I justify it by saying that my sugar is low after my workout! Help!!!!!!!There's gotta be some subsitutions or sweet-like recipe. I don't have the book yet. I'm trying to snipe it off Ebay as we speak. I saw that some of you ar doing cereal. Is there any limitations to sugar content or dairy. Do we only get 3 squares a day? What about snacks? I read this article on the diet but it wasn't real informative.:dizzy:

[Bette k]

I got the book today, and what I read of it is extremely doable. I'm looking at Friday as a start date, just because that is when we go grocery shopping. The thing I'm wondering after reading some of the recipes is what if you don't have a gas grill, everything seems to be cooked on the grill and it's to cold to fire up the charcoal. Can it just be baked in the oven, or seared on the stove top? Any ideas?

[Amarantha]

... Sugar Busters has to be one of the most unstructured programs I've ever read. ...

As a person who has every Sugar Busters book ever written and lives and breathes that program, I think you make a really good point. :) But that's why I personally like Sugar Busters so much, I think. Too much structure just doesn't work for some people. That's why I can't do Ornish, although I also have cardio issues ... Ornish is also too low in fat for me. :carrot:

Anyhow, my point in commenting on your post, which I appreciated, is the way you worded this: The people who live in the Mediterranean region of the world and eat this diet as part of their culture have some of the lowest rates of coronary disease in the world which is what caused interest in the Med diet in the first place. ...

My unscientific brain is wondering about studies of people who eat this diet but do NOT live in the Mediterranean region and for whom this is NOT a part of their culture. Are the benefits the same?

Can it be that a factor in the environment or culture that accounts for any part of the low rate of coronary disease?

Just somethin' I was thinkin' 'bout when reading your post.

[petra65]

I am a recovering sugar addict and I can tell you that once you get past about 7-10 days, it will go away and you will be glad you did it Aiyana. She really doesn't even want you to use artificial sweeteners but I think she says you can have up to 2 cans of diet soda a day if you must. Snacks are allowed. She has specific suggestions. Almonds, veggies with hummus, etc.

[Amarantha]

I am a recovering sugar addict and I can tell you that once you get past about 7-10 days, it will go away and you will be glad you did it Aiyana. She really doesn't even want you to use artificial sweeteners but I think she says you can have up to 2 cans of diet soda a day if you must. Snacks are allowed. She has specific suggestions. Almonds, veggies with hummus, etc.

This is so true, coming from another sugar addict, who does have relapses from time to time. But after three days of no refined sugar or white flour, I am usually good to go for a time anyway ... I intend to do 365 days of no refined sugar in 2006 ... had a big binge on the stuff on December 31, but know I can handle it now.

I have developed and collected a number of sugar free, artificial sweetener free recipes, Aiyana, which entirely satisfy my lust for something that seems like dessert. It's really pretty easy, once you do it for awhile ... for me, though, the trick is to never relapse ... giving up sugar is infinitely worth doing on so many levels.

[petra65]

Good question. There is a somewhat famous study of people with existing heart disease (The Lyon Diet Heart Study) who did not live in that part of the world and were put on that diet and it still prevented a second heart attack. In fact, in that study, they had to stop it early because the findings were so significant it was unethical to leave the control group on their usual diet.

There are probably lifestyle factors that also contribute to the low rates of coronary disease in this part of the world as well. The consumption of wine as a regular part of their diet, the slower, more relaxed pace of life. Perhaps more exercise as a regular part of their lifestyle. Those are good points.

[LindaT]

I can already tell that I'm already going to have trouble with the no sweets thing! After my 1st workout in 6 months and coming off a 2 month Sugar High ...I am Cheating! I have mindlessly hit the sweets basket several times and then I justify it by saying that my sugar is low after my workout! Help!!!!!!!There's gotta be some subsitutions or sweet-like recipe. I don't have the book yet. I'm trying to snipe it off Ebay as we speak. I saw that some of you ar doing cereal. Is there any limitations to sugar content or dairy. Do we only get 3 squares a day? What about snacks? I read this article on the diet but it wasn't real informative.:dizzy:

Sugar is to be avoided , especially during Wave 1. No Fruit and artif sweetners are indeed to be as little as possible. Get the junky food OUT of the house. No one needs sugar, not hubby , not kids and not YOU. So get out a trash can and clean out your kitchen! If your family wants something sweet, send them out to get it but don't keep it at home. Yes you get snacks and you won't go hungry. Get some raw veggies in the fridge, cut and cleaned and ready to eat.. broccoli and cauliflower are good.. carrots are not for Wave 1. If you are honestly and truly dealing with hunger and not a craving, you'll eat the veggies.

Drink drink the water, have a few almonds, brush your teeth, chew some gum. You are the boss of your body. A lot of our cravings are very much a habit more than our bodies speaking to us asking for something specific. A lot of us, me included :o overdid it on the sugar and junk over the holidays. Right now we are in the habit of satisfying cravings with sugar.. it is up to us each to find something else. Eventually they will subside, I promise.

In the words of the good Dr. Phil, who was also instrumental in my weight loss.. we each need to GET REAL.. what do you really want?... the sweets or good health?

[LindaT]

I got the book today, and what I read of it is extremely doable. I'm looking at Friday as a start date, just because that is when we go grocery shopping. The thing I'm wondering after reading some of the recipes is what if you don't have a gas grill, everything seems to be cooked on the grill and it's to cold to fire up the charcoal. Can it just be baked in the oven, or seared on the stove top? Any ideas?

Bette, baking and searing is fine. I have an electric grill but don't like to use it because it works like dodo. :dizzy: Sauteing is good, so is broiling steaming and almost every other method. Deep frying is to be avoided though. :lol:

[Amarantha]

Thanks, Petra! I will look up the Lyon study.

Linda: I like this saying from your post: "YOU ARE THE BOSS OF YOUR BODY!" (emphasis mine) :)

You bet!

Just to add one more anti-sugar-craving trick I used extensively the first time I went cold turkey ... a local health food store has one of those nut grinding machines that's always filled with almonds (make sure to ask them if the almonds are dusted with dextrose or anything) ... anyhow, instead of stopping at a convenience store for my past-life snack of candy or doughnuts and a sugar laden milk drink in a small bottle, I started buying an ounce or two of the warm, fresh almond butter and just ate it as a warm, sweet snack ... heaven ... not sure if this is permissible on Sonoma ... must admit I am beginning to want the book ... or at least the mag story ... I wouldn't pay to join a website I can't sample before they charge my credit card ... :)

[FL_Chickie]

I'm thinking about checking this diet out. I'm having a really rough time getting into anything since Thanksgiving, and I think it's a combination of 1. being bored with what I was eating and 2. not feeling like I had any structure to what I was trying to do. Given what I've heard so far on the Med diet and this offshoot, it may be what I need.

[petra65]

Aiyana there are also some supplements that supposedly help with cravings but I honestly don't know how well they work because I've never tried them. Maybe some others could tell you.

I'm big on the nutbutter snacks also. Maybe on some celery. Also cheese sticks seem to work pretty well especially in the beginning. They make lowfat ones which will work fine for this diet. In fact I think she suggests those laughing cow ones.

You know, as I read this book, it struck me as a cross between South Beach and the Schwarzbein Principle for those who are familiar with those books. Dr. Schwarzbein would definately not go for the glass of wine every night but Dr. Agatston would have no problem with artificial sweeteners.

[Amarantha]

The nut butters are really good on the stone ground whole wheat "muffins" I've been experimenting with making ... no sugar, artificial sweeteners or cornstarch used in my recipe ... heavenly with almond butter and some grapes.

[2BFIT1]

I just got the book at Sams Club for 13.88. I don't look at this as spending money on "yet another diet book" as a waste of money because i always take away something important from it. So far in this book, I really like the portion control and choice of foods that are heart and body healthy for you. I will probably end up on a combo of South Beach and Sonoma, keeping my portions in control and eating low fat, low-glycemic, anti-oxidants and healthy oils, etc. Oh, and don't forget the exercise!!!

[LindaT]

Oh, and don't forget the exercise!!!

:lol: Like I'd let you forget that!! Come on over and get to sweating on the Exercise thread!!

[chocoholic1]

Hi - I'm a newbie on the Sonoma Diet plan. I'm on day 3 and have a couple of questions one of you might have the answer to. Wave 1 vegetables don't include artichokes but there is a recipe that has artichokes. Hmmmm! Also, there are recipes using differenty types of olives but I can't find ANY reference to olives on any of the lists. Maybe I'm just missing something.

Any ideas??? Thanks....

[Suzanne 3FC]

Chocoholic, I noticed the same thing. I'm using the food list as a guide, but not a set in stone list. I'll just have to watch quantities and make sure the item is low in calories and seems to fit in with the other items. It is confusing. I wonder if they will do with this like they did with South Beach, and release updated food lists every now and then.

[petra65]

Not that I'm an expert on this diet or anything but I have read the book. From looking at the lists, it appears that the Wave 1 veggies are pretty much all the nonstarchy or "low carb" veggies, or "low glycemic" veggies, or whatever you want to call them and artichokes would certainly fall into that category. However, I just noticed, she has artichokes listed as tier 2 which you dont get to eat until Wave 2. Go figure? As for the olives, she certainly mentions olive oil as a power food and I think by extrapolation olives probably come close. I don't know if you have ever been to the Mediterranean but there are olive trees everywhere. Olives and olive products are staples of their lifestyle. It's amazing, but everyone knows exactly who owns each and every olive tree. (at least in the parts of Greece I visited). Olive trees are prized family heirlooms.

I had a couple questions as I read the book. I wonder what she thinks of flax seed bread and sprouted grain breads (like Ezekiel 4:9). I'm not sure they qualify as "whole grain" exactly but they certainly meet her fiber requirement. I also wonder what she thinks of Stevia. Anybody have any ideas or want to speculate?

[Amarantha]

I use the Ezekiel sprouted grain breads on Sugar Busters ... they are on the "acceptible" list, even though some of them contain some sugar (to activate the yeast, I assume, though really there are other ways to do this) ... one of the Ezekiels (not sure o' the number, we have a whole selection in my store) has "malted barley sprouts" ... which I've never been able to decide if it's the same thing as "malted barley" ... a high glycemic sweetener that's "unacceptible" on Sugar Busters.

Sugar Busters gives thumbs up to Stevia ... so far what I can tell about Sonoma (haven't got the book OR the mag article ... it's not on the shelves), there's not much difference between what's "legal" between South Beach, Sugar Busters and Sonoma, so ... I want the book. :)

[2BFIT1]

I just bought some Ezekiel bread today (love this stuff) hoping that would be acceptable. It's so nutty and chewy and has just as much fiber as my WW bread. I also got the La Tortilla LF/LC WW tortillas w/herbs and garlic for my wraps.

[Totally Neck-ed]

Here is a great article on the author and a bunch of her writings.

http://www.calolive.org/nutritionists/findings/about_connie.html

[Amarantha]

All the Ezekial varieties are awesome when broiled to a crisp in the oven and drizzled with a little olive oil!

Re Sonoma, I got the book and loved it, but other than the wine and milk with cereal in the induction phase, I am using it as an extension of South Beach, which in turn is a combo of Atkins and Sugar Busters. I loved the plate illustrations.

Not sure if this has been said here, but there's a one-week free trial mentioned in the book ... not sure if the website specifies this ...

This forum is a great idea for a healthy plan.

[mauvaisroux]

I'm intrigued by this plan :chin:

I'm currently doing WW but I already eat in the mediterranean style since I love Greek, Lebanese, Iranian and Italian food :)

I also believe in eating well, staying away from processed foods and fast food so, and I enjoy cooking - I might have to go pick up the book :yes:

[LindaT]

Not sure if this has been said here, but there's a one-week free trial mentioned in the book ... not sure if the website specifies this ...


I'd still be very careful with this site. I tried to get the one week free trial, but you have to enter a credit card number in order to even get the free period. Suzanne mentioned that her card was dinged before her free one week was up!!

Caveat Emptor!!

[mauvaisroux]

I had the same thing happen when I was giving a "free -one visit only code" to the WW website. You had to put your credit card number in and then cancel if you did not want to sign up :(

[abby1990]

Yes Hi
I would like to know if it is legal to start a Sonoma Diet support Group in my area. I have a very hard time trying to stick to any program and I thought if I could get a few people in my area who is on the diet and would like to meet each week to discuss progress or areas they my need help with and that it would help me as well. The only problem maybe locating a place to meet each week. Perhaps if there is enough interest, we all could chip in to rent a small space some where. Just thought I would ask before I went any further.

Thanks
abby