The Whole30 Nutritional Program: What You Need to Know

Chances are you have heard of the wildly popular Whole30 nutritional program, but what is it exactly? Is it right for you?

Whole30 is a program that claims to, “change your life in 30 days.” It is a nutritional reset to help put an end to unhealthy habits. This plan restores a healthy metabolism, heals the digestive tract, and balances your immune system.

On the Whole30 program, you eliminate certain food groups from your routine, such as sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes. The reason for getting rid of these food groups is the possible negative effects they may be causing. Eliminating them may increase your energy and decrease aches and pains. Participating in this plan may also help with weight loss, and other issues that medications haven’t helped. The creators of Whole30 believe the solution may be in your diet.

Stripping these foods from your diet for 30 days lets your body heal. According to Whole30 creators, Melissa Hartwig and Mark Sisson, this program will change the way you think about food, and change your life.

Physical Benefits

More than 85% of people who have done Whole30 have lost weight, and improved their body’s composition. Participants reported higher levels of energy, better sleep, improved mental clarity, and increased happiness.

Psychological Benefits

Participants report changes in long-term bad habits with food, as well as better body image. They also report a decrease in cravings, especially with sugar and carbohydrates.

Foods to Avoid:

• Sugar, real and artificial. Sugar is a tough one because we add it to so many things in so many different forms. Maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coffee creamers and sweeteners all contain sugar.
• Alcohol. Be mindful not to use it in cooking either.
• Grains. Grains are in most bread, oats, corn, rice, and even quinoa.
• Legumes. Legumes are all kinds of beans, as well as chickpeas, and peanuts. This also includes soy products, like soy sauce, miso, tofu, and edamame.
• Dairy. All milk products such as cream, cheese, yogurt, and sour cream.

So what foods are allowed in the plan?

• Clarified butter, or ghee. This is the only dairy allowed in the 30 days.
• Fruit juice. You can use fruit juice as a sweetener.
• Some legumes.  Acceptable legumes include green beans, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.
• Vinegar. Make sure the vinegar does not have any added sugar or gluten.
• Salt. Most salt has sugar in it. But because salt is so common, it is an exception to the sugar rule.
• Meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, some fruits, oils, nuts, and seeds are also acceptable.

If you are looking to make a lifestyle change to be healthier, this is a great option. Visit the Whole30 site for a more detailed walk-through of the program, as well as testimonials and meal plans.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below.

Check us out on social media: