If you follow the Whole30 mood calendars, like the above from Whole30.com, you know that days 10-11 are considered the hardest to get through. In fact, a high percentage of people quit during these next couple of days. But not us and not you!
There’s a reason we say only delicious resolutions last! We know that in order to not just survive, but thrive on this Whole30 experience, we need to eat delicious and filling meals that help us forget we’re cleansing. There are a lot of great resources and bloggers who’ve created some next-level recipes that have kept me going. Here are some of my favorites:
Breakfast
The good thing about Whole30 is that you can eat eggs and potatoes, so a simple breakfast is easy to make and enjoy. For those of us on the go, I truly love these Egg Muffins and not just because my husband created the recipe! They’re simple to make and keep really well so you can eat them throughout the week.
I also love this Breakfast Casserole from Paleorunningmomma.com It tastes amazing and is a great recipe to prep on a Sunday and eat throughout the week.
Lunch
Lunch has been the toughest for me, how about you? Luckily our Organic Oven Roasted Turkey and Organic Smoked Turkey items are Whole30 compliant and can help turn a simple salad into a protein-packed, filing lunch. Try our Loaded Chef’s Salad recipe, minus the cheese. Never fear, this salad has so much flavor you won’t miss it!
Another go-to is this Avocado Chicken Salad with Bacon, from Wholesomelicious.com. I like to use our Thick Cut Chicken to speed up the prep time. It’s honestly so good I like to eat it right out of the bowl.
Dinner
There are a ton of yummy Whole30 dinner recipes out there. Of course, it has to be tasty and satisfy, but I am also a fan of dinners that allow me to squeeze out the next day’s lunch, too!
I’m currently loving our Shepherd’s Pie recipe made with our Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage. It’s quickly becoming a weekly staple. And since it’s been a bit cold here in California, the perfect weather for some Whole30 soups. My two current favorites are both from Alex Snodgrass from the Defined Dish blog. The Instapot Chicken and “Rice” Soup and the 5-Ingredient Green Chile Stew are not only deliciously warming, but easy to make and great for meal prep days.
I hope these recipes help keep you on track during these “dark days” as they call them in the Whole30 circles! I would love to hear your favorite recipes, so let us know in the comments below.
May your next week of Whole30 be a tasty one!
FAQs
On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.
What foods are banned on the Whole30 diet? ›
What Can't You Eat?
- Added real or artificial sugars.
- Alcohol.
- Carrageenan—a type of plant-based sugar—or sulfites.
- Commercially-prepared chips or French fries.
- Dairy products, except for clarified butter or ghee.
- Foods recreated with allowed Whole30 ingredients (e.g., coconut milk ice cream)
- Grains.
While the competitive crowd might agree, the doctor says Whole30 is probably not a good idea. “At the end of the day, nutritional advice should be individualized," he says. "It's a very restrictive diet, and it can cause some serious problems.
What are the side effects of the Whole30 diet? ›
The Whole30 diet could make your blood sugar levels fluctuate. It can also cause inflammation in your gut, and hurt your health. If you have diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome, you might want to avoid the Whole30 diet.
Why do your pants get tighter on Whole30? ›
Sure enough, I was up 2.6lbs “overnight.” It's water retention and the beginning of the infamous “my pants are tighter” phase of Whole30 as the body continues expelling all the junk and getting used to a new way of eating. Day 8ish is usually a bit of a digestive adventure, so we'll see where things go.
What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›
Here's the rule in a nutshell: If you think your less healthy treat is going to be so delicious, so incredible, so worth it, and then you take your first bite and discover it's not… STOP EATING.
Are bananas OK on Whole30? ›
What about bananas? Yes, both pickles and bananas are allowed on Whole30. Yet if they are a potential trigger food for you (for instance, the sweetness of bananas sets off a craving for other treats or makes you want to binge on the fruit), then you may consider including them on your “don't eat” list.
Is peanut butter okay on Whole30? ›
Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).
Does everyone lose weight on Whole30? ›
While Whole30 can be a beneficial program for improving overall health and weight management, not everyone experiences immediate weight loss results.
What is a con of the Whole30 diet? ›
The cons of Whole30: Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult. May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.
Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.
Can Whole30 heal your gut? ›
The Whole30 is an excellent way to help heal your gut since the foundation of the program is pure whole foods. In addition, there are several gut healing foods and supplements known for their ability to improve digestive health that you may wish to consider.
Why am I pooping so much on Whole30? ›
Whole30. If you're used to eating a traditional low-fiber American diet—meaning not many fruits, veggies, and whole grains and lots of sugar and processed carbs—switching to this veggie-heavy diet may trigger diarrhea, Upton said.
What are the hardest days on Whole30? ›
If you follow the Whole30 mood calendars, like the above from Whole30.com, you know that days 10-11 are considered the hardest to get through. In fact, a high percentage of people quit during these next couple of days. But not us and not you!
Why does my stomach hurt on Whole30? ›
Eliminating certain foods may cause you to experience digestive issues and discomfort. Suddenly removing fiber-filled grains and legumes from your diet while also increasing your animal-based protein intake may cause you more harm than good in terms of digestion.
How long does it take to feel better on Whole30? ›
In the Whole30 book, it's explained that you don't feel good until around day 14, but the beginning is not for the faint of heart; don't think you're going to immediately feel like a million bucks because your eating is better — it takes time.
How long does the Whole30 hangover last? ›
As the Whole30 book predicts, the first two weeks of the diet are painful. Days 2 and 3 are called “The Hangover” because your body experiences soreness, headaches and fogginess from sugar and carbohydrate withdrawals. And it doesn't stop after the first few days.
What happens after 30 days on Whole30? ›
According to the official Whole30® website, once those 30 days are up, it's up to you to “carefully and systematically reintroduce those foods you've been missing”.
How many pounds do you lose on Whole30? ›
My first round of Whole30, I dropped 11 pounds and 13 inches; my second round, I dropped 6 pounds and 5 inches; and my third round, I maintained a healthy weight and dropped 3 inches.
