Thoughts from my first week on Whole30:
- It’s easy to eat good whole food when you plan ahead and prepare it yourself. Meal planning and recipe prep are a must.
- It’s HARD to resist donut holes when your coworker brings in two boxes and they stare you in the face whenever you pass the printer (I eventually shut the box so I couldn’t see them anymore).
- The only ‘withdrawal’ I have had was a mild headache for a few days. Not sure if it’s from sugar or sinuses pressure though.
- I didn’t cut out dairy. I know it’s ‘cheating’ but my doctor says I need the calcium. That being said I am sticking to minimally processed ‘clean’ dairy. Milk, half and half, plain greek yogurt, minimally processed cheese.
- I miss dessert.
- I was hungry before bed the first few nights (my stomach is used to dessert/snacking I think!) but I haven’t let myself snack much after dinner yet.
- The biggest difference is in how I feel throughout the day. Very consistent energy, no afternoon crashing, no weird upset stomach pain. This part has been awesome!
Monday – Day 1
B – two egg, tomato, & mushroom omelette, fried in olive oil (topped with mozzarella cheese), black unsweet iced tea, cashews, water.
Lunch – Chipotle salad bowl with chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo, & guacamole (plus sour cream), dried apples & plantain chips from Trader Joe’s, water.
Dinner – banana with Trader Joe’s almond butter, bacon, sliced tomato, Trader Joe’s sweet potato chips, (mozzarella cheese), water
Tuesday – Day 2
B – two eggs fried in coconut oil, banana, cashews, cup of milk with coffee.
L – tuna salad (dill relish & mustard) over romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, dried apples & cashews, water.
D – sweet potato ‘not-fries’, grilled chicken (marinated in olive oil & ranch mix), roasted broccoli (olive oil & salt), water.
You have to try these ‘not-fries’. They are AMAZING!
Wednesday – Day 3
B – two eggs fried in coconut oil, cup of milk with coffee.
L – salad: romaine lettuce, leftover grilled chicken, ranch dressing (ranch mix + greek yogurt)
D – crockpot pork roast (rubbed w/ paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme), mashed cauliflower
I made a huge pork roast and froze at least two more meals worth of shredded pork for later.
Thursday – Day 4
B – smoothie: frozen banana, ice, cocoa powder, almond butter, milk (can use unsweetened almond milk if you’re following the rules ;-). I roughly followed this recipe)
L – Chipotle salad bowl with chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo, & guacamole (plus sour cream), dried apples & cashews, water.
D – bacon & scrambled eggs, sliced strawberries & grapes, OJ.
Friday – Day 5
B – smoothie: similar to above, this time with strawberries instead of cocoa.
L – leftover pork roast & cauliflower, sliced strawberries & grapes, water.
D – grilled Greek chicken salad w/ cucumbers, tomatoes, feta & Greek dressing (out at local restaurant. places that make their own house dressing are much more likely to be compliant)
Saturday – Day 6
B – smoothie: frozen banana, ice, cocoa powder, almond butter, milk (this is my new favorite breakfast!)
L – Chick-fil-a grilled chicken salad w/out dressing (we didn’t plan to be out for lunch. the chicken wasn’t compliant but I did forego dressing for just mustard), water.
D – grilled steaks, side salad w/ homemade Greek dressing, sauteed zucchini and baby carrots. (this by far was my favorite dinner of the week!)
Sunday – Day 7
B – smoothie: frozen banana, ice, cocoa powder, almond butter, milk & I added my coffee brewed double strength and chilled. It was almost like a Starbucks frappuccino!
L – leftover salad w/ greek dressing, apple, cashews, water.
D – lettuce wrapped burgers with tomato & fried egg, french style green beans, pineapple spears, La Croix sparkling water (totally compliant!).
I hope this gives you some ideas to help you with your Whole30 journey. Plan ahead: keep it simple & eat things multiple times in a week to make it easier on yourself (leftovers!). And most importantly focus on all the delicious things you can have instead of what you’re doing without.
Good luck!
