So, I'm starting a Whole30 tomorrow...

[Murphy101]

I am so tired of whole foods. I used to only eat one big meal a day. My stomach has felt heavy for days. I gave up and got smoothies, apple chips, and cashews. All of the ingredients are whole30 compliant, but I don't have to eat heavy meals if I don't want to!

No, you don't. Heavy meals 3 times a day in the summer is nauseating to me. If I have eggs and sweet potato hash and fruit for breakfast, then exercise and so on, I feel like puking. It's just too hot. I can do that in the winter, but the heat kills me.

 

My favorite summer treat right now is a compliant frozen banana chocolate shake.

[Slache]

No, you don't. Heavy meals 3 times a day in the summer is nauseating to me. If I have eggs and sweet potato hash and fruit for breakfast, then exercise and so on, I feel like puking. It's just too hot. I can do that in the winter, but the heat kills me.

 

My favorite summer treat right now is a compliant frozen banana chocolate shake.

And how does one make that exactly?

[Murphy101]

And how does one make that exactly?

Scroll past all the boring stuff to the picture of chocolate in a glass. Just blend up the ingredients written above that picture. :)

 

https://marthaamdg.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/more-may-in-pictures/

 

ETA: I'm going to experiement with some other frozen fruit this week. I suspect anything other than banana is going to have more of a slushie texture though...

 

And I want to try a pineapple whip too!

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I am so tired of whole foods. I used to only eat one big meal a day. My stomach has felt heavy for days. I gave up and got smoothies, apple chips, and cashews. All of the ingredients are whole30 compliant, but I don't have to eat heavy meals if I don't want to!

 

What about a cold composed plate?  What about salad for breakfast?  

 

More important than the ingredients being "approved" is that you are following the template for meals.  That banana cocoa powder concoction looks delicious, but it would not be considered a Whole30 meal.  I'm not playing the Whole 30 compliant police here, but just saying... there's not much protein, a ton of (fruit) sugar, and it is simply a substitute for junk food, which is a Whole30 no-no.  There is a big distinction between a dish that contains only "compliant" ingredients and a dish that is actually Whole30 compliant.  

 

Again, I'm just stating it for the record for anyone reading the thread, not because I'm trying to be the police here.  :-)  And I'm not perfect either.  I made about three batches throughout the month of paleo pancakes (eggs, bananas, and baking powder) because I just couldn't stomach yet another savoury breakfast.  It happens!  I'm also considering making green smoothies an acceptable part of my next Whole30, but keeping the veggie to fruit ratio very high and having an egg or something on the side.  Technically, they are not compliant, despite the ingredients being compliant.  

 

Then again, Lara bars ARE considered compliant, and I think that's ridiculous considering they are just a sub for candy bars.  lol.  The couple who developed the Whole30, while they had a great idea, are not entirely logical in their approved/disapproved list...  

[Soror]

fwiw I'm not officially on a w30 but have done one before and my paleo- df/sf- low carb diet is naturally nearly always w30.

 

I think it helps to keep your diet as similar as you can to what you ate before in a way, but then again sometimes you really have to change it up. I ate soup for breakfast nearly daily for 2 weeks when I really cut my carbs as I needed to feel full, the smoothies help with this as well as sometimes I just want to snack but there aren't many options when one wants to keep low carb and protein, nuts are ok but you can eat many without getting a million calories so I limit those.

 

Also, another fwiw I do well with salads but I also eat a lot of cooked veggies my mom seems not to do well with raw veggies, including salads it just messes with her digestion so the heavy feeling might be the raw veggies or just more fiber than your used to, you can easily get in more calories in with less bulk just by upping your protein and especially your fat, sauces with coconut cream/oil can get you some calories quickly and you could easily get enough for one meal if you worked it right, if that is how you prefer to eat.

 

Here is what I generally eat in case it is helpful:

I sometimes eat big meals and sometimes simple ones.

Breakfast rotates for me- I like a radish w/ carmelized onion and bacon hash (super yummy and way lower in carbs than sweet potatoes). I like to sometimes make a brothy ginger, coconut soup w/ a bit of leftover chopped meat, chopped veggies and zucchini noodles- this is really filling with all the broth. Currently I've been back to an old standby- a small chopped apple with some coconut cream, shredded coconut, chopped pecans (and currently a sprinkle of hemp seeds) and a dash of cinnamon and salt. Some days it also maybe a bit of bacon or sausage and some roasted cauliflower or broccoli(usually broccoli because it cooks quickly- 8 min roasted in my oven).

 

Lunch is often leftovers or a salad from kale salad (from Aldi's but without their dressing or dried cranberries) or mixed greens, just because I don't like cooking much. Sometimes in the afternoon I have a smoothie or especially if it is a workout day I will have one afterward. I use some coconut/almond milk, coconut cream and some frozen berries- you aren't supposed to drink your calories but it is handy in a pinch and actually helps me feel fuller, yet with the ingredients I use is low carb/sugar and calories- my milk has no net carbs.  

 

Supper is often my lightest meal, depending on the day I often have a small piece of meat and a veggie. Last night for example was a chicken leg with green and wax bean mix and carrots (frozen- all I did was boil them). I make a lot of cauliflower in the evening because it takes longer or maybe a salad a few nights a week when I want something quick.

[Slache]

What about a cold composed plate? What about salad for breakfast?

 

More important than the ingredients being "approved" is that you are following the template for meals. That banana cocoa powder concoction looks delicious, but it would not be considered a Whole30 meal. I'm not playing the Whole 30 compliant police here, but just saying... there's not much protein, a ton of (fruit) sugar, and it is simply a substitute for junk food, which is a Whole30 no-no. There is a big distinction between a dish that contains only "compliant" ingredients and a dish that is actually Whole30 compliant.

 

Again, I'm just stating it for the record for anyone reading the thread, not because I'm trying to be the police here. :-) And I'm not perfect either. I made about three batches throughout the month of paleo pancakes (eggs, bananas, and baking powder) because I just couldn't stomach yet another savoury breakfast. It happens! I'm also considering making green smoothies an acceptable part of my next Whole30, but keeping the veggie to fruit ratio very high and having an egg or something on the side. Technically, they are not compliant, despite the ingredients being compliant.

 

Then again, Lara bars ARE considered compliant, and I think that's ridiculous considering they are just a sub for candy bars. lol. The couple who developed the Whole30, while they had a great idea, are not entirely logical in their approved/disapproved list...

Good point. For the purpose of *my* whole30 I don't care if I follow the template. I have a problem with candy and bread, and I thought some foods were effecting me in unhealthy ways and an elimination diet sounded like just the trick. I won't be making the milkshake until after the 30 days, but it certainly would be an awesome substitute for a normal milkshake as a regular habit.

[Murphy101]

They are very logical in what is compliant and in how it should be used in meal plans.

 

Ideally the milkshake would not stand alone unless it is an after workout snack.

 

Also, one could add egg to it to make it more protein heavy.

[Slache]

They are very logical in what is compliant and in how it should be used in meal plans.

 

Ideally the milkshake would not stand alone unless it is an after workout snack.

 

Also, one could add egg to it to make it more protein heavy.

I've never done the raw egg thing. I eat cookie dough, but the idea of putting a raw egg in my smoothie is just odd.

[Murphy101]

I've never done the raw egg thing. I eat cookie dough, but the idea of putting a raw egg in my smoothie is just odd.

What? Ick. No. Not raw.

 

I'd gently warm it up with coconut milk sorta like custard. Then add it to the shake. I would think it would make it very creamy, more like ice cream.

[Slache]

What? Ick. No. Not raw.

 

I'd gently warm it up with coconut milk sorta like custard. Then add it to the shake. I would think it would make it very creamy, more like ice cream.

That sounds good! I have a friend that puts 8 raw eggs in his smoothies every morning. He's a professional athlete. Crossfit type stuff.

[Murphy101]

That sounds good! I have a friend that puts 8 raw eggs in his smoothies every morning. He's a professional athlete. Crossfit type stuff.

Let reflexive gagging commence. *shudder*

 

I wouldn't be able to handle that slimy texture. Ick.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

They are very logical in what is compliant and in how it should be used in meal plans.

 

Ideally the milkshake would not stand alone unless it is an after workout snack.

 

Also, one could add egg to it to make it more protein heavy.

 

The list of compliant foods is perfectly logical.  But they go on to exclude foods that contain all compliant ingredients if that food is just a paleo substitute for regular junk food.  So for example, paleo pancakes made with eggs, bananas, and baking powder are not considered Whole30 compliant.  My issue with this is that Lara bars, and now a huge range of other "bar" foods are compliant, but homemade "energy ball" type food items (usually, dried fruit, nuts, and coconut products) are not considered compliant because they are supposedly just subs for junk food.  I find this illogical, and very probably a smart "business move" in order to get Lara bar and other bar endorsement money.  

 

I'm not criticising their move to make Lara and other bars compliant, but it is illogical to then exclude homemade versions with the same ingredient breakdowns.  That's why I take the whole compliance thing with a grain of salt.  

 

Like the previous poster mentioned, it's all about what your personal motivation is for doing a Whole30.  If it's entirely about food sensitivities, then sticking to the food list is enough.  If it's about correcting bad eating habits, the sugar dragon, or weight, then sticking to the meal template is really, really important as well.  

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I'm getting better with the idea of raw eggs.  I now make a lot of raw mayo, but have not yet dared to try a raw egg in a smoothie.  It has been tempting, as I don't actually like eggs much and I think I could hide one in a smoothie pretty well... but I haven't tried it yet.  

[Slache]

The bars would be a cookie substitute for me so I'm not allowed to have them.

 

Try protein powder in a smoothie instead.

[Soror]

 

Then again, Lara bars ARE considered compliant, and I think that's ridiculous considering they are just a sub for candy bars.  lol.  The couple who developed the Whole30, while they had a great idea, are not entirely logical in their approved/disapproved list...  

I agree with you, larabars being allowed but other complaint desserts not does not make sense. Who knows when that might change as well, like their stance on potatoes. They are just 2 regular people (not medical or dietary experts) and not infallible I well remember them from early crossfit days on the messageboard. They found a niche and are good at marketing. Their food info is to me not all that revolutionary or different from regular paleo, just repackaged with their own rules, which really do well at making it more of a diet to lose weight more quickly than regular paleo(although they say it isn't about the weight some rules don't make sense without that context), which brings in a lot of people looking to use it in that way, which is fine and well as there are much worse ways to lose weight.

[Murphy101]

Actually that's not entirely true that they aren't experts, whatever that means.

 

Dallas received a BS in Anatomy & Physiology from Andrews University in 2000, and an MS in Physical Therapy in 2001. He became a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist in 2003, and has since accumulated many health and exercise-related certifications, and is on the Advisory Board for Paleo f(x) and the Athletic Advisory Board for Fitwall. Dallas is also on the Board of Editors and Reviewers for the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.

 

I'm sure we could debate what makes an expert.

 

But Dallas is not just some guy off the street who got a random idea for money making. Especially considering how much he gives away for free and without gimmick.

[Murphy101]

If someone wants to know why and how larabars are acceptable, just ask on their forum instead of presuming it's just a random dumb idea. It might be,mouth there is no reason to presume it.

[Soror]

I have been on their message boards and have done a couple of w30s myself. I was active there for awhile. I don't think their credentials warrant the amount of authority given by many, that is subjective as I'm sure there are many I respect that others don't give credence. There are plenty others in the paleo world that I would look to for that kind of info. I think they seem to be nice enough people but watching the evolution from the beginning a lot more seems to be about finding a niche to make it a career, I don't begrudge them that but it colors my perception as to their rules. As it is I eat this way because it works for me, I've been on a paleoish/primalish/grainfree diet for going on 10 yrs now. I've read a lot from a lot of the various paleo experts, some I like some I don't. I'm well familiar with the various incarnations of paleo, everyone has their own reasons and proof, the same with every other diet out there rules are fine and well but we are all individuals and what works for one doesn't for another.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

If someone wants to know why and how larabars are acceptable, just ask on their forum instead of presuming it's just a random dumb idea. It might be,mouth there is no reason to presume it.

 

Throughout my W30, I hesitated to post on their message boards with this question, as it seemed.... I dunno... disrespectful or something.  But you are right.  I will ask later tonight when I have a few minutes to type up my question.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

Here is my post over at Whole9 with some good explanations.  

 

Basically, the bottom line is that Larabars are only to be used in an emergency- being stuck in traffic and feeling like you are about to starve, needing something to bring to the ER when accompanying your sick child, etc.  They are NOT to be used as a regular/occasional snack or meal replacement.  

[Slache]

I seem to have settled into baked apple chips, cashews and a veggie smoothie for breakfast and a spinach, chicken, everything else in the fridge salad for lunch. It's light and extremely easy!

[medawyn]

I kicked off my Whole30 with a pre-workout smoothie (2 c spinach, 1/2 banana, 2 c berries + 2 tbsp chia seeds), shared by my kids and DH. Came home and made a hash with green and yellow summer squash, onions, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and chicken and apple sausage. Yum! My 2yo even ate a few bites!

 

The plan for the day is 1/2 baked sweet potato topped with a heaping amount of kale/cabbage/carrot/broccoli slaw + 1/2 avocado and some pumpkin seeds for lunch. Dinner is fajitas for the family turned into taco salad for me.

 

If I need it, I'll replace my hot cocoa with some spiced almond milk. Hoping it all goes well!

[medawyn]

I agree with you, larabars being allowed but other complaint desserts not does not make sense. Who knows when that might change as well, like their stance on potatoes. They are just 2 regular people (not medical or dietary experts) and not infallible I well remember them from early crossfit days on the messageboard. They found a niche and are good at marketing. Their food info is to me not all that revolutionary or different from regular paleo, just repackaged with their own rules, which really do well at making it more of a diet to lose weight more quickly than regular paleo(although they say it isn't about the weight some rules don't make sense without that context), which brings in a lot of people looking to use it in that way, which is fine and well as there are much worse ways to lose weight.

 

I wondered about the potato thing!  I remembered white potatoes being not-compliant the first time I did a Whole30, but I read the rules about six times yesterday and didn't find that.  I thought I was imagining it!  I was on my phone, so didn't explore the rest of the site well, but I'm glad to know the rules changed rather than me losing my mind.

 

I'm still not planning on eating white potatoes, but if I ever get my DH to join me, that will help enormously.  He's a picky eater, and even a few more "allowed" foods might sway him.

[Slache]

I've reached that phase where you're bloated and miserable. How long does that last? I've had such a good 3 days.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I've reached that phase where you're bloated and miserable. How long does that last? I've had such a good 3 days.

Have you seen the Whole30 timeline?  

 

I didn't really follow along with the typical timeline, but most people do.  I just had a horrible first two days, then smooth sailing.  

[Slache]

I don't understand why sugar is not formally reintroduced. When can I have sugar? Or am I banned for life?

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I don't understand why sugar is not formally reintroduced. When can I have sugar? Or am I banned for life?

 

Since sugar does not generally cause a "reaction" (allergic/intolerance) in people, it is less important to reintroduce it carefully.  The general recommendation is to try to stick to a whole foods/paleo diet, plus whatever high quality foods you reintroduce without causing issue (dairy, grains, gluten, etc.).  And then, each day, decide whether or not it is "worth it" to consume empty calories for something.  So picking up a donut in the break room is not "worth it" for many, whereas eating your mom's homemade birthday cake once every six months IS worth it.  

 

If your plan is to go back to whatever your usual diet was pre Whole30, then you would just reintroduce sugar as it comes up in your standard eating plan.