Nutrition

The Beginner’s Guide To The Whole30 Diet

The Beginner's Guide To The Whole30 Diet | NordicTrack Blog

The general ideology behind the Whole30® diet is this: eliminate foods that are common triggers leading to poor bowel health, upset stomachs, skin irritations, mood imbalances, headaches, etc. Then slowly reintegrate foods after 30 days to see how the body responds. 

The Benefits To Whole30® Dieting

People who’ve tried this form of elimination dieting have listed a wide variety of health benefits. They include:

  • A better understanding of personal dietary needs.
  • Increased and prolonged daily energy levels.
  • Improved health conditions like fewer headaches, stomach cramps, less constipation, etc.
  • Healthy and more-regular bowel movements.
  • Clearer skin with fewer breakouts and irritations.
  • Less junk food cravings and more self-control.


What you CAN eatWhat you CAN’T eat
Vegetables (most)Dairy
Veggies (even potatoes)Milk
Leafy GreensYogurt
PeppersCheese
SquashGrains (Sprouted or Not sprouted)
AvocadosCorn, Rice, Wheat, Quinoa, Rye
Fruits (all)Millet, Sorghum, Amaranth, Buckwheat, Bulgur
…in moderationAlcohol/Smoking
Unprocessed MeatsCooking or Drinking
BeefVanilla Extract
ChickenSome Kombucha restrictions
PorkLegumes
EggsBeans, Soy, Tofu, Chickpeas
SeafoodLentils, Peas, Peanuts
FishAdded Sugar
ShellfishSugar (Cane, confectioners, granulated, brown, etc)
Nuts and SeedsHoney, Maple Syrup, Agave
Almonds, Cashews, WalnutsSplenda, Xylitol, Stevia
Sunflower, Pumpkin, Pine Nuts, PoppyProcessed Foods
OilsCarrageenan, MSG, Sulfites
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Ghee
Coffee

Getting Started With The Whole30® Diet

Preparation makes all the difference. 



“To be prepared is half the victory!”

Miguel De Cervantes, Spanish Novelist

—–

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

Alexander Graham Bell, Scientist, Inventor, Engineer

—-

“The will to succeed means nothing without the will to prepare.”

Juma Ikangaa, NYC Marathon Winner 1989


Here are four steps to guide you in the right direction of preparing for your new lifestyle with the Whole30® diet: 

1. Clean out the pantry by tossing (or donating) any foods that are against the rules. 

When hunger strikes, will-power weakens. Even an M&M under the fridge becomes a viable option when cravings hit.

2. Gather Whole30®-compliant recipes so you have an arsenal of ideas when it comes time to eat. 

Whole30 Meal Plan – NordicTrack Blog

Keep a list visible with ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks handy so you aren’t left scratching your head and staring into the open refrigerator.

3. Stock the fridge with ingredients you need to make your Whole30® recipes. 

This requires planning and regular grocery shopping. Tools like Walmart®’s Click List are a lifesaver. You can build a detailed shopping list of necessary foods and ingredients to make your recipes without having to walk grocery isles riddled with temptation.

4. Always make enough food for leftovers.

This will prevent food frustration time and time again. 

Find Support To Help You Stay On Course

Support comes in many forms. Friends and family members can partner with you to achieve similar goals. Coworkers can rally to hold you accountable when you’re away from home. Personal trainers and dietitians can offer helpful advice and experience-gained tips for making this dietary transition easier. Technology like the iFit® app can offer simple tools for tracking your food intake and journaling reactions to different foods as you reintroduce things to your diet after 30 days.

Find the support you need and try out a few new options along the way to make any new diet or health goal more successful. Once you go with the Whole30® diet, you may never go back!



DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. NordicTrack assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment. NordicTrack has not received compensation from Whole30®.  Claims made by the Whole30® diet are the opinions and claims of its creators, and may not reflect opinions of NordicTrack.


Sources:

https://whole30.com/discover/

https://www.thekitchn.com/what-you-can-and-cant-eat-on-whole30-239838

https://www.nordictrack.com/learn/ifit-help-get-started-ifit/