I’m not usually a big fan of fad diets or weight loss plans, but focusing on your health is important. Who can’t say they let unhealthy habits slip during the never ending pandemic? Whole30 was shared to me by a coworker. It sounded interesting so I did some research and well here I go. It seems like a healthy do-able and bad habit breaking challenge.
Step 1: Research and make sure this is something that you want to do and understand what is allowed and what’s not. Get some support or share what you’re doing with others so you can get advice, encouragement, and motivation to keep it up for 30 days.
Step 2: Go Shopping! Yes this can get a little expensive, but the cost will work itself out overtime. I had to substitute several staples like condiments, salad dressings, and snacks. There are a lot of grocery list recommendations online to get started. We spent an hour in the grocery store looking over ingredients. (Yes we had the kids with us, Yes we were all ready to go, Yes my husband was frustrated.) Sugar or dairy is hiding in almost everything! I made it out with a good hull or fruits, vegetables, and approved whole30 substitutes for things I eat on a daily basis.
Step 3: Food Prep. Make these new foods easily accessible. You’ll probably get cravings or feel hungry at unusual times. Keeping these things convenient will make it easier to succeed. We buy Up and Up brand bags for portion control sizes these are super helpful. I also put canned items sorted in Tupperware to easily pack for lunches.
Step 4: Know your Weaknesses I knew right away Starbucks would be an issue for me. I can still have coffee with unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk. There’s also a list of approved drinks such as unsweetened Iced Strawberry Green Tea and Unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea. Espresso and Nitro Cold Brew are also green lights. I’m also a big snacker so I found Lara Bars, Rx Bars, and approved trail mix combinations for those snack attacks.
Stay tuned for how day one goes and wish me luck! Feel free to share your experiences in the comment section.
Tabitha Sprunger 