Hello!
Just finished January Whole30 (yesterday!). It's my fifth successful one (don't ask how many failures - yeesh). Finally, it feels like cooking this way has finally "gelled" for me and on Day 31 (today), I just got up and made a Whole30 breakfast and packed lunch like no big deal. It really makes you feel better, so keep it up even when you get cravings.
I'm going to link a few helpful articles and recipes below for anyone who enjoys this kind of eating:
Whole30 Timeline (found this accurate the first few rounds, at least): A lot of Whole30 is mental.
https://whole30.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/Random tips:
- Have a plan BEFORE you're hungry. Cannot emphasize this enough. Especially if you'll be doing errands, etc. That way you don't panic and sprint into a Panera for one of those crunchy cinnamon sugary bagels covered in cream cheese.
- Put food in your purse/backpack/car/desk - you will be shockingly hungry at weird times. Have it otherwise you'll be staring down a vending machine, nearing tears at some point. All of my food panic moments are coming out strong in this post.... :)
- Pre make food. A lot. I find food volume eaten goes WAY up on Whole30. Whoever suggested above pork shoulder - yes! That makes days and days of lunches.
- Definitely pre-make breakfast. I will include breakfast recipes below (because I love it). Breakfast is the one meal people typically have the most time adjusting to- because the general population doesn't "cook" at breakfast time, or plan. You'll have to and it takes time in the mornings. Whole30 also allows/encourages "non-breakfasty" foods in the AM (savory things, salad, soup, etc.) so if you can do that, more power to you. I can't quite stomach salmon and kale at 6am...
- If you are a coffee drinker, Nut Pods. (This is a Whole30 approved coffee creamer made with almonds and coconut and isn't that bad, really.) Amazon, Kroger, etc. has this in a couple of appropriate flavors and also plain.
- Eat more fat than you think you should. It's pretty much your energy source. I find I get sad and hungry after too many Whole30 meals of grilled chicken and broccoli. (too few calories, not much energy).
- You can do it!
Recipes:
Egg Bake - Mexican style - so good
https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/mexican-breakfast-casserole-paleo-whole30/Egg Muffins - you can put anything in these:
https://realsimplegood.com/healthy-egg-muffins/Whole30 Chili - great for leftovers - and sweet potato in chili = bomb
https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/chorizo-sweet-potato-chili-paleo-whole30/Chia Pudding - may be totally yucky to you, but I kind of crave a different flavor "palate" mid-whole-30 and this sort of solves it.
https://sunkissedkitchen.com/chia-breakfast-pudding-whole30/- Also, coconut milk curry - lots of options online and so yummy
I'll be following along this thread to keep at the style of eating (I relapse, which is why I keep repeating Whole30) and as I reintroduce.
Good work, everyone!