The Power Of The New Sonoma Diet's “power Foods”

By Author: Jony Hoods
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The New Sonoma Diet, which focuses on gourmet cooking, moderate portion sizes, wine selections, and is based around the Mediterranean diet, encourages dieters to consume plenty of its so-called Power Foods; ten plant foods, consisting of almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, and whole grains.

Since The New Sonoma Diet recommends keeping saturated fats, meats, and other sources of protein (such as soy and eggs) to a minimum, followers should eat these Power Foods as much as possible.

Here are reasons why these ten foods are so healthful:

Almonds
Almonds contain healthy fats which reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and raise HDL or good cholesterol, lowering your risk of heart disease. Almonds, like many nuts, are also high in fiber and antioxidants, like flavonols, which help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Bell Peppers
Ranging in color - green, yellow, and red - bell peppers are good sources of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Vitamin C helps prevent the common cold, iron supports the production ...
... of red blood cells, and potassium keeps energy levels high during exercise.

Blueberries
Antioxidants and phytochemicals found in blueberries, like anthocyanins, help to the reduce inflammation associated with some cancers. The health benefits of blueberries are far reaching; eating blueberries has also been linked to better memory, less depression, and low blood pressure.

Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous, or leafy green, vegetable and like many green vegetables, broccoli is high in dietary fiber and nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium. Diets rich in broccoli have been shown to boost the immune system and lower the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Grapes
Grapes, the main ingredient in wines, contain a powerful phytochemical called resveratrol, believed to inhibit cancer, heart disease, nerve disease, viral infections, and dementia. Grapes are also high in vitamin K, which is important to bone health and required for the coagulation of blood.

Olive Oil
A staple of the Mediterranean Diet, olive oil has been linked to lower risk of heart disease, even as little a few tablespoons each day. Olive oil also helps maintain healthy blood pressure, which lowers the risk of stroke. And studies suggest olive oil may also have anti-cancer properties.

Spinach
Spinach, another cruciferous vegetable, is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and iron. And some health experts contend that spinach has more iron than an equal amount of hamburger meat. Eating spinach raw is ideal because cooking can cut the amount of nutrients by more than half.

Strawberries
Strawberries, widely referred to as a fruit, are actually a member of the rose family, but like many true fruits, strawberries contain an array of nutrients, especially potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. Strawberries are also low in calories, due to their high water content.

Tomatoes
All varieties of tomatoes, which are a fruit not a vegetable, are potent sources of lycopene; a powerful nutrient also found in other red fruits, like watermelon and papayas. Lycopene is an antioxidant and may help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.

Whole Grains
Wheat, oats, barley, quinoa, and rye are all types of whole grains. Whole grains, unlike refined grains, have not been bleached or heavily processed, meaning they maintain much of their nutrient value. Whole grains are rich in fiber, shown to promote colon health and cut the risk of colon cancer.

The New Sonoma Diet claims dieters can trim their waist and increase energy in just ten days. Health magazines have called The New Sonoma Diet one of the healthiest diet programs available.

More about the Sonoma Diet can be found at our comprehensive guide to the Sonoma Diet.

Gerry Pugliese writes for Diet Blog, revealing the latest in diet research, weight loss tips and fitness techniques.