What is Whole30?

Most diets come and go, but Whole 30 took the world by storm and it looks like it's here to stay. What makes this diet different is that it doesn't focus on just losing weight. It also touts a plethora of health benefits, including higher energy levels, improved skin conditions, improved digestion, aid with seasonal allergies, and much more. We're talking all about it on the blog, right here!

What is Whole 30?

Whole 30 is an eating program that aims to reinvent your relationship with food. It outlines foods that could be negatively impacting your health in a variety of ways. Foods such as legumes, dairy, and sugar (to name a few) affect the body in ways that may be detrimental, so by cutting them out, and focusing on eating real food, you allow your body to heal from any damage that you've been causing your body from eating, well, crap. For 30 days, you prepare your meals based on the regulations that they provide. After 30 days, the outcome should be a change in your tastes, the way you think of food, and a diminishment of detrimental habits that you've formed in the way you eat.

What health benefits does it offer?

One of the ways that Whole 30 stands out amongst other diets is because it claims to offer a plethora of amazing health benefits to those who can complete it. It states that you may experience higher energy levels at the end of the program. Skin ailments can diminish, digestive problems can calm down, season allergies can be aided, and chronic pain can be lessened. Many people with diagnosed health problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), may find their symptoms lessened by this type of a diet.

So what are you allowed to eat? 

Don't be fooled, Whole 30 is far from restrictive. By cutting out the specific "negative" foods, you are still left with a whole list of delicious possibilities. Eat meats, seafood, eggs, veggies, some fruit, healthy fats, and herbs and spices. You are still eating well, you are just eating more simply. 

For how long are you supposed to do this diet? 

The length of time is in the name Whole 30. 30 days is all it takes to complete the program, according to the book. However, if it works for you, it is completely healthy to continue to do another round as you see fit. You can even strictly follow a Whole 30 diet for as long as you feel you need or want it.

Where do you start?

If you feel a little overwhelmed by the idea of completely reinventing your diet plan, have no fear. The creators of Whole 30, Dallas Hartwig and Melissa Hartwig, have an entire book filled with information and recipes for Whole 30. It's called Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Freedom, and it's available online and in most bookstores. Not only is the book encouraging, but it is detailed in its responses to what works and why. In addition, a wide variety of recipes are available online, just a quick google search away!