The Sonoma Diet is a weight loss plan that promotes the healthy and flavorful eating style of the Mediterranean and Sonoma Valley. Flavorful foods are an important part of the plan and they help you stick to the plan, loose weight and choose a healthier new lifestyle.

The core of the Sonoma Diet is the power foods which are incorporated into many meals and recipes in the book. They are almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains. They are all not only delicious but are in the right portions, essential to good health and weight loss. Whole grains and breads are allowed on the diet from day one. But some foods with saturated fat, added sugar and refined white flour are not allowed on the program.

Connie Guttersen, PhD, RD, is the author of The Sonoma Diet: Trimmer Waist, Better Health in Just 10 Days! Guttersen offers a creative approach to encourage people to change their eating behaviors. Her emphasis is food enjoyment, portion control, food label reading and eliminating trans-fats. She identifies the diet as neither low- fat nor low- carbohydrate. She indicates it has the right balance of nutrients to ensure health, weight loss and satisfaction.

The Sonoma Diet has three waves to Weight loss. Wave 1 is a 10-day period in which dieters can eat certain vegetables, lean meats, seafood, limited dairy, some grains, thee daily servings of olive or canola oil, a small amount of nuts, black coffee, tea, and an unlimited amount of herbs and spices. This wave is the most extreme and its purpose is to wean the body from sugar. This wave will produce rapid weight loss depending on the person and the amount of weight they need to loose.

Wave 2 allows the same foods as Wave 1, but adds more fruits, more vegetables, fat-free yogurt, some sugar free sweets, some dark chocolate, honey and some wine. In this wave weight loss is more gradual and approximately ½-1.5 pounds a week. Dieters stay in this wave until they reach their target weight.

The final stage-wave 3- promotes the same principles of healthy eating as the prior waves but recommends increasing servings of fruits and vegetables and indulging in occasional treats. It also recommends more experimentation with different foods and different ways of enjoying meals.

© Copyright Diet-Newsroom.com, All Rights Reserved.

Kim Black runs http://www.diet-newsroom.com where shes writes diet & nutrition articles about popular new diets.

As a young scientist Ancel Keys showed that among people in countries where fresh fruit, vegetables and olive oil were plentiful like Greece, southern Italy and southern France- heart disease was extremely rare. In other countries where people eat a lot of beef, cheese and foods high in saturated fat- like the United States- heart disease is a leading cause of death. Ancel Keys, who is now 96, promoted the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, which has become synonymous with good health.

Recently some have started to question the diet. In the past few years, Italian scientists have linked bread, pasta and rice made from refined grains to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly thyroid, colon and stomach cancers. The Center for Science in the Public Interest also issued an enlightening report on the food served in Italian restaurants- many laden with saturated fat and cholesterol. Like fettuccine alfredo which has as much saturated fat as three pints of butter-almond ice cream or a serving of fried calamari which has the cholesterol equivalent of a four-egg omelet. However the foods served in most Italian restaurants are a long way from the foods that Keys first promoted in his original diet. The original Mediterranean Diet was nearly vegetarian, with fish and very little meat, and was rich in green vegetables and fruits.

When the traditional diets were brought to America suddenly a lot of meat, sugar and cream sauces were added. In addition, many pastas and bread are no longer even prepared the traditional way. The original Mediterranean diet never included refined flours. By making careful choices, you can experience the true Mediterranean Diet and have the healthiest and most delicious meals. When buying breads choose loaves made with whole grains and flours as opposed to white refined flours. For the main course fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are dining out, look for entrees with plenty of vegetables and very little cream, or cheese. For dessert, choose something that provides one serving of fruit.

© Copyright Fitness-Pulse.com, All Rights Reserved.

Kelly Johnson writes for http://www.Fitness-Pulse.com where she covers diet, health, fitness and exercise related topics.

Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand when you’re trying to lose weight. (By ‘diet,’ I don’t mean that you need to starve yourself or follow some fly-by-night fad diet. I simply mean that you should eat smaller portions, and your meals should be balanced, consisting of healthy foods from every food group.)

You may try only cutting down on all the high-calorie foods and skip the exercise. You may cut down on your portion sizes. And, the weight will eventually come off. However, if you also include exercise in your weight loss program, you’ll discover that not only will the weight come off, but your metabolism will improve, your fat will be replaced by lean, muscle tissue (rather than loose, jiggly flab), you’ll feel more energetic and mentally alert, and you’ll be better able to keep the fat off.

The human body was created to be active. It wasn’t meant to live a sedentary lifestyle. Unless your health prohibits you from getting some sort of exercise each day, you should make an attempt to focus on the amount of physical activity you engage in. After all, most Americans don’t get nearly enough physical exercise during the course of a day! We’re all too busy sitting at our desks or in front of our televisions.

By the same token, if you’re like the average American, who thrives on fast food or other high-fat, high-calorie meals, a change in eating habits is advised. You can still enjoy eating! But, if you’re serious about losing those extra pounds and keeping them off, you’re going to have to replace the greasy french fries with some healthy, fresh veggies. Instead of that 44 ounce Coke, drink more water. Try to include more fish in your diet, rather than a big, fat hamburger. You’ll be surprised at how much better you look and feel, when you replace those heart-clogging, fat-producing calories with healthier food choices.

And, don’t skip meals! If you regularly skip meals, your metabolism is going to slow down, you’ll feel sluggish, and your body is going to hang onto those extra pounds as protection against starvation. By eating regularly, your metabolism works better, and you’re better able to lose weight!

Yes, diet and exercise are important ingredients for successful weight loss! You don’t have to be miserable in the process of losing weight. Just remember the following points, if you want to shed those pounds and keep them off:

A few healthy lifestyle changes can make all the difference in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Note: Before beginning any diet or exercise program, consult your medical professional.

Cyndi Schoenhals is a certified personal trainer and author of the I Hate Diets Approach to Weight Loss. Learn how to lose weight without starving yourself.