Whole30 Fall Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the hardest day of Whole30? ›

On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.

Some downsides include Whole30 side effects like digestive problems, worsened food cravings, and reduced nutrient intake. The diet restricts certain foods and food groups, which, if followed long-term, can result in nutrient deficiencies.

Popular diets (i.e., Atkins and Whole30) instruct dieters to prepare for a “withdrawal” syndrome marked by headaches, fatigue, irritability, and cravings that follows the timeline of drug withdrawal (i.e., emerges in the first days after dietary change and peaks on Days 2–5).

Since the Whole30 diet is more of a food challenge than a long-term change, there are some hurdles. The Whole30 diet has strict rules. The overall goal is to restrict your eating. So, if you “cheat” on a day of your challenge, they recommend you start again from day one.

My first round of Whole30, I dropped 11 pounds and 13 inches; my second round, I dropped 6 pounds and 5 inches; and my third round, I maintained a healthy weight and dropped 3 inches.

Sure enough, I was up 2.6lbs “overnight.” It's water retention and the beginning of the infamous “my pants are tighter” phase of Whole30 as the body continues expelling all the junk and getting used to a new way of eating. Day 8ish is usually a bit of a digestive adventure, so we'll see where things go.

The Whole30 diet is cutting dairy, alcohol, legumes, added sugars, and processed foods for 30 days. Potential risks include constipation and an inability to keep off weight lost while following it. The diet may also be expensive to follow, as it can involve buying a lot of meat and fresh produce.

Many Whole30 dieters see some type of shift in their bowel movements during the 30 days. “I poop all the damn time,” wrote one Whole30 blogger.

Your 1-Day Healthy Whole30 Meal Plan

You might experience headaches, bloating, stomachaches, sugar cravings, and — yes — diarrhea. This is likely the result of all the fiber you're taking in through fruits and vegetables, and it's especially likely to happen if you didn't eat a lot of fiber before.

It can take several weeks before you learn to trust the “hungry” and “full” signals your body is sending you—and you may not have been eating enough in the beginning, because you were afraid of all that fat. Many Whole30'ers report that they didn't feel or see “the magic” until day 45, 60, or beyond.

Does Whole30 reset your metabolism? ›

“As well, you're not supposed to weigh yourself or take any measurements during the 30 days.” The idea behind this approach is to reset your metabolism and digestive tract. According to some research studies, elimination diets like Whole30 can be an effective tool to help some people with gastrointestinal issues.

Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.

No. The Whole30 diet doesn't have a carb limit, so it's not meant to put you in ketosis. However, it tends to be lower in carbohydrates than a standard American diet (SAD) since it cuts out grains, traditional baked foods, and processed items, which are major sources of carbs.

Though diet sodas and sugary beverages are off-limits on the Whole30 diet, you can drink water, herbal teas, coffee, and any other liquids that don't contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners. Fruit juice, when 100% pure, is also acceptable on occasion.

While a good diet is crucial for health, bending the rules on occasion probably won't hurt. A tip you can try is the 90-10 rule. "Eat a healthy diet 90% of the time and splurge 10% of the time," McManus says. "Eating three meals a day for a week means 21 total meals: avoid splurging for more than two of those meals."

In the Whole30 book, it's explained that you don't feel good until around day 14, but the beginning is not for the faint of heart; don't think you're going to immediately feel like a million bucks because your eating is better — it takes time.

Step Two: Reintroduction

The reintroduction period is perhaps the most important Whole30 stage. This is where you really learn how the foods you used to eat (and eliminated for the last 30 days) affect how you look, feel, and live.

#1] LOSE THE DIET MENTALITY.

The Whole30 is much, much more than that. Don't focus on the outer effects as much as the inner ones – increased energy, possible loss of stomach aches//bloating, better sleep, loss of allergies. The physical aspects will come with it – but don't make those your main focus!