She Strengthens

Reset Your Eating Habits with Whole30

Are you tired of feeling sluggish and unhealthy? Do you want to reboot your diet and kickstart a journey towards better health? Look no further than the Whole30 program, a 30-day dietary detox that focuses on whole, minimally-processed foods.

What is Whole30?

Whole30 is a 30-day food plan that involves eating whole, unprocessed foods and minimizing refined sugars and additives. This means saying goodbye to dairy, sugar, grains, legumes, and alcohol, and hello to proteins, veggies, and healthy fats. By committing to the Whole30, you’ll be breaking up with the unhealthy habits that have been holding you back.

The Rules of Whole30

So, what can you eat on the Whole30? The “yes” list includes:

• Meat (no buns, though!)
• Poultry (hello, chicken!)
• Sausage
• Fish (even canned fish!)
• Veggies (your options are limitless!)
• Fruits (an apple a day keeps the doctor away!)
• Fats (avocados every day, please!)
• Coffee (yes, you read that right!)

And what’s off-limits? Unfortunately, that list includes:

• Sugar and natural or artificial sweeteners (no maple syrup, sorry!)
• Booze (unless it’s the trace amount in kombucha)
• Smoking (including weed)
• Grains (time to empty that quinoa jar)
• Beans and legumes (no chickpeas or peanut butter)
• Soy (tofu is out)
• Dairy (cheese is dairy, guys)
• Processed additives (carrageenan, sulfites, MSG)
• Fake treats, even with Whole30-approved ingredients (sorry, cauliflower crust pizza and paleo pancakes)

Benefits of Whole30

So, why put yourself through this? The benefits of Whole30 are numerous:

• Maintain a moderate weight
• Potentially improve health conditions
• Resolve digestive problems
• Get clearer skin
• Increase energy levels
• Access tasty recipes
• Transform your taste buds
• Have more effective workouts
• Improve sleep
• Discover what foods make you feel like crap

Why it’s Not Your Typical Diet

Whole30 is different from other diets because it’s not about tracking calories, feeling hungry, or eating based on a points system. It’s about building a healthier relationship with food, and it actually works.

Why 30 Days?

Thirty days may seem like a long time, but it’s the perfect amount of time to see results without feeling overwhelmed. And, as Whole30 co-founder Melissa Hartwig says, “Thirty days is a good compromise. It takes 66 days for a habit to stick, but if we told someone to do this plan for that long, it’d be pretty intimidating.”

Tips for Success

So, how can you make the most of your Whole30 journey? Here are some tips:

• Do it with a friend for support
• No fake treats (it’s hard, but worth it)
• Read the Whole30 book for motivation
• Clear your house of temptations
• Celebrate with coffee
• Plan and prepare your meals
• Don’t make it complicated
• Always make leftovers
• Be kind to yourself and don’t sweat the small stuff

Sample 3-Day Meal Plan

Here’s what 3 days on Whole30 might look like:

Day 1:
Breakfast: eggs fried in coconut oil
Lunch: tuna salad over salad greens
Dinner: taco bowl with cauliflower rice
Snack: celery and baby carrots with almond butter

Day 2:
Breakfast: smoothie with strawberries, almond butter, and almond milk
Lunch: chicken zoodle soup
Dinner: roast chicken, sweet potatoes, and asparagus
Snack: grass-fed beef jerky stick

Day 3:
Breakfast: scrambled eggs with avocado
Lunch: chicken Caesar wrap (using Whole30-compliant dressing and wrap)
Dinner: egg roll in a bowl
Snack: pistachios and blueberries

Remember, the struggle is real, but worth it. Stick to the Whole30 rules for 30 days, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier you.