I’ll never forget the first time I heard about the Whole 30. A friend of mine excitedly explained, “For thirty days I’m cutting out bread, rice, beans, dairy, sugar, alcohol…” As the list went on, my brain slowly shut down. This sounded like the dumbest idea I’d ever heard. Why in the world would someone do such a thing to themselves?
Fast forward a few years. As a chronic night teeth grinder, my jaw pain and subsequent headaches were becoming a daily occurrence. While I couldn’t stop myself from subconsciously wreaking havoc on my jaw, was there something I could do besides popping pain relievers to feel better? I’d always understood that putting the wrong things into my body could be damaging, but what if there was something to the theory that the right foods could actually provide healing? That’s when the concept of Whole 30 became more intriguing to me.
The premise of this program? For 30 days, eliminate foods are most likely to create inflammation in the body, and see how you feel. After the month is complete, reintroduce these foods one-by-one to see if any trigger negative responses in your body.
I decided I had nothing to lose. And, the Whole 30 was a game changer.
Yes, I physically felt like a different person after a month, but my brain was also transformed. Eating only whole, non-processed foods for 30 days gave me a new appreciation for fruits and veggies and prevented me from reaching for a box when I was bored or stressed. But, most of all, it transformed my relationship with food. This doesn’t mean that I’ve haven’t had a piece of bread or glass of wine since then. But, it does confirm the theory that, yes, consistently putting the right foods into your body can indeed be healing.
Are you intrigued by the Whole 30, but nervous to dive in? Here are some tips for any busy mom who is thinking about giving it a try.
Plan, plan, plan
- Plan out all of your meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks – ahead. Meal planning on the weekend is key.
- The fastest way to go sideways on your Whole 30 is by not having the right foods available when you’re hungry. So, prepare your food, in batches, in advance! Cooking several chicken breasts or a large pan of roasted ahead of time allows you to grab and go.
- Plan for mid-week grocery visits and pencil them in on your calendar ahead of time. Frequent trips to the store for perishable items are common on Whole 30.
Utilize your resources
The first time I did Whole 30, the only resource I had was the Whole 30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom book that explained the program and contained several recipes. But, now there are countless resources, like cookbooks and blogs, devoted to the Whole 30 lifestyle.
The best place to start is at Whole 30’s official website (www.whole30.com). This site is packed with information including recipes, meal plans, FAQ’s, a blog, and more. Another favorite resource of mine is Whole 30’s official recipe account on Instagram (@whole30recipes). Each week, Whole 30 welcomes guest posters, like chefs and food bloggers, to share their favorite recipes. The pictures are beautiful and the step-by-step instructions are simple to follow.
Do it with a friend
Diving into the Whole 30 with a buddy can make all the difference in your success! Friends not only provide accountability, but also encouragement. My favorite Whole 30 buddy is my husband. The deal I make with him: I’ll cook the food, and you help me stick to the plan. Having your spouse, friend or neighbor in your corner may be just what you need to get to the finish line.
Long term, make it your own
The goal of this program is to determine which foods are unhealthy triggers for you. It’s important to remember that everyone is different, and your decision to go dairy-free long-term may be different from your friend who decides to eliminate sugar from her diet. When you develop a more healthy relationship with food, you can make educated decisions about what foods are worth it, and which aren’t. And, this knowledge will allow you to create a reasonable and sustainable plan for yourself moving forward.
Be kind to yourself
The creator of the Whole 30, Melissa Hartwig, famously says about the strict guidelines of the program, “Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard.” You know what, she’s right. But, completely changing the way you look at food is not easy, either. Be kind to yourself on the Whole 30. Recognize that any positive change you make toward a healthier you is progress. Don’t get discouraged if you slip up or don’t follow the plan perfectly. Feel confident in what you’re learning and proud of yourself for taking a step in the right direction!
Have you tried Whole 30? What are some tips that you’ve found helpful in your journey?
