Thinking about doing Whole30? Read this post first…
Even though this isn’t a Whole 30 blog, here are all of my thoughts on the “diet” – plus my favorite recipes!
If this next year is anything like last year, a significant amount of you are thinking about doing Whole30 this January. And I totally understand why! The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reset and refresh your eating habits. Luckily, my posts about Whole30 were some of my most popular content in 2017! Not surprising, considering you guys know I love learning about healthy trends. What IS surprising, is that I actually didn’t like doing this “diet” myself ?
If you’re a long time follower, you know this whole saga. If you’re not, I’ll explain my way through these popular Whole30 posts. Hopefully this will help you prep for a successful 30 days if you’re doing it, or decide one way or the other if you’re still not sure! Here we go…
My Whole30 Grocery List
Prep is KEY when it comes to Whole30, so I shared my Whole30 Grocery List back when I first started. The best thing you can do is clear out any non-compliant food from your kitchen, so you’re not tempted by anything. Then stock up on what you can eat, and make some meals that will sustain you! (Read the post here)
Whole30 Chia Seed Pudding
This Chia Seed Pudding is one of my favorite easy breakfast recipes any day of the year. I love the consistency of soaked chia seeds, and even on Whole30, you can have tons of fun with the toppings. I love warming up frozen cherries and drizzling almond butter on top. SO YUM. (Read the post here)
Whole30 Egg Muffins
I swore by this Egg Muffin recipe during Whole30, until I realized it’s actually part of what was making me feel sick! (More on that later in this post…) But if you don’t have any intolerance to eggs, this recipe is a lifesaver. Prep them on Sunday, and eat them all week, no matter how busy you are! (Read the post here)
Whole30 Stuffed Peppers
Occasionally I have an idea for a recipe and it comes to life exactly as I imagined… and these Whole30 Stuffed Peppers were just that! I grew up with Italian Stuffed Peppers, which obviously requires cheese, so I switched over to Mexican flavors for this compliant recipe. Adam requests this dinner ALL the time, and a ton of you have sent me pictures of these peps in your own kitchens! Definitely some of my best work, and one you’ll love even after you’re done with your 30 days. (Read the post here)
Whole30 Chicken Taco Bowl
Meet my most popular recipe on Lake Shore Lady: my Healthy Chicken Taco Bowl! This is another one that came to life just as I imagined – it’s easy, healthy, and super delicious. Also, if you’re cooking for yourself and people who aren’t doing Whole30, you can easily just make a little bit of brown rice for them in addition to the cauli rice for you! (Read the post here)
And now the personal opinions…
Why Whole30 Wasn’t For Me
This post was my original analysis of Whole30. Turns out I was missing a few pieces, but I still stand by the Pros and Cons I listed in this post. It’s a pretty comprehensive breakdown, so I’d give it a read if you’re on the fence! (Read the post here)
The Real Reason I Felt Awful on Whole30
And then I discovered another reason why I felt awful when I took a food intolerance test. Turns out my body doesn’t like when I eat too many eggs, cashews, peanuts or sesame seeds. Remember those egg muffins? Combine 2 of those with many handfuls of a cashew and almond based trail mix and cashew milk/butter every day and THAT’s why I felt like crap! (Read the post here)
So, what’s my overall Whole30 advice?
If you want to try it, go for it! Do your research and prep your kitchens. Try out some new recipes and read labels like crazy. But throughout the diet, pay attention to how you feel. If you’ve never felt better, listen to that! If you learn some great lessons about processed foods and sugar, listen to that! But if you find yourself wondering why you’re the only weirdo who doesn’t feel great throughout the 30 days, listen to that too. Maybe your cons outweigh your pros, or you have a food intolerance to something that’s compliant. Regardless, health is never a one-size-fits-all situation, and you can create your own healthy relationship with food with or without this commitment.
I hope that’s helpful!
Also, do any of you have a favorite Whole 30 blog? I can always use new healthy recipes for weeknight meals!
