Not that I'm some world traveler, but recently I was able to tag along on my husband's trips to Spain and France. I was really impressed with how much better they eat than we do. In Spain, they had many little markets that had fresh meat, vegetables and fruits....no processed or packaged food. Actually the same could be said for France. In Paris I saw 1 McDonalds....that was it....no fast food restaurants on every block. Both places didn't have candybars and snacks available everywhere you go......they didn't even seem to eat between meals and certainly not before you go to bed.

I think the Sonoma diet is very much like that.....fresh food that you can find in the perimeter of the grocery store.....eating smaller portions (which they do over there).....no junk food or eating between meals.

To me this is a good way to eat for life. Not that I"ve master it yet. I'm such a stress eater and find that hard to stop.

I hope that I can get to that point in my life where I am not dieting.....I am just eating healthy, normal portions and just at mealtimes.....instead of running through McDonald's drive thru because I had a bad day and shoving a supersized meal down my throat as I drive.

Baby steps.

Amen, Wild Violets! I've been "dieting" for at least 25 years and I weigh more than ever. Eating healthy, normal portions just at mealtimes sounds like heaven! I'm a stress eater, too and nearly as old as dirt (54). I don't even want to think about how many years of a conditioned response I have to overcome. You're absolutely right...baby steps.

Yep, I spent several weeks in France, Switzerland, and Germany about five years ago and noticed much the same thing. I was shocked at the size of the grocery stores, but there is little to no processed and packaged food in their stores. At first, restaurant portions seemed small and we felt we were being "ripped off" but quickly became used to them. The best part was that, probably because of the smaller portion sizes, we ate dessert after both lunch and dinner and did not gain a pound! Oh yeah, we walked a lot too.

I agree the Sonoma Diet is much like what I ate, particularly in France. I think it's a good way to eat for life, but a little harder to do in the U.S. because of our huge portions and fascination with "franken-food." But you're right ... baby steps!!

Good observation! We spent a few months traveling around Europe a few years ago and came to the same conclusions as you. It was the only holiday I ever went one where I lost weight and that's with eating duty-free Toblorone whenever I could get it and drinking wine most days! We also did a ton of walking every day.

Just wanted to add; even though they were smaller portions.
I am sure it was "real" food. Not canned of boxed. So I am sure it tasted better and held you over better to the next meal.
Good thread. It should be a "must " read!

I lived in Israel from 1985 to 1995 and I was amazed how little "fast food" there was - only a Burger Ranch (the rough equivalent of MacDonald's). True, there were falafel stands galore, but the standard portion was half a pita full with tehini and cucumber and tomato salad to fill it up.

Unfortunately, MC and KFC were just coming in when I left. Now my mom tells me there's a fast food place nearly on every corner. However the mediterranean type restaurants which promote the kind of eating that the Sonoma Diet does are still the most popular.

Tam

Hi. Have just ordered the book, living overseas so it will take over a week to get here. I would repeat the comments about eating in France, fresh , quality food. The things people are saying about the Sonoma Diet sounds very encouraging.
DolliDot

These observations sound interesting. I live in France (and of course we also have our weight problems, else I wouldn't be here for starters ) and I have very few, if not none, points of comparison with food outside here.

Unfortunately, the small district groceries stores and the likes tend to disappear more and more (or are really expensive, which, working part-time, I can't afford), and supermarkets contain more and more of the junky, processed food as well. McDos are sprouting as well, even if not at every corner. It's quite sad