3 Reasons We Are Doing a Whole30


Today we are starting our first Whole30. 

In case you don't know, a Whole30 is basically a ridiculously strict eating plan that involves no dairy, no grains, no legumes, and most importantly, no added sugar. Not even honey.

It also include no smoothies (bummer!) and no peanut butter (I'm going to cry)

I'm sure there are other rules too, like you have to eat standing on your head and run 10 miles everyday, but right now this is pretty much all I can handle.

So what can we eat? Meat, Vegetables, Fruit, Nuts, and Healthy Fats

When we first decided to embark on this journey, I was pretty excited about the opportunity. I love trying new recipes, and this new eating plan felt more like a fun project than a massive diet overhaul.

However, over the past few days I've started to feel more apprehensive about the whole idea. Why in the world would we torture ourselves like this? No sugar! You've got to be kidding me. No soda? haha!

I almost threw in the towel. The past few months have been hard (pregnant, disobedient two-year-old, baby that suddenly won't sleep through the night, husband working long hours). Why do I want to make them harder?

1. Because it's good for us. I've done the research and gathered opinions from every side of the fence. There are a lot of problems with our modern food system, and many people are actually suffering from food intolerance that they don't even know they have. Gluten sensitivity and dairy sensitivity are growing problems, and I think our bodies could use a break from those foods.

Now, I don't think wheat is evil. I don't think we should all give up cheese (no more pizza? hello!),but I do think that it's wise for us to take a step back from these food groups for a time and ask ourselves, "Do I really feel my best when I eat this?".

And I'm sure I don't have to convince you why sugar is problem. We ALL need to eat less sugar.

However, I'm going to be upfront with you here. Come November 1, I can guarantee my husband will be taking me to my favorite pizza buffet so we can stuff ourselves silly! A Whole30 is NOT designed to be a way of life but a detox, a way to find out just how well our bodies handle different food groups. 

So for the next 30 days it's nothing but the good stuff, vegetables, protein, and good fats, and after that we are completely ready to return to normal .

2. Because I need a break. The last few months have been hard (have I mentioned that already?), and my primary way of coping with hard is food. Lots of food. Carbs, sugar, and diet coke. Late night ice cream runs. Candy bars hidden in the freezer. I'm a junk food addict. I love cheese and bread and all those high calories snacks that pack zero nutritional punch.

It's pathetic. I'm not proud of the fact that I've spent the last two days moping around my house because I have to drink water for a month. I'm down right ashamed that kicking the sugar habit seems so ridiculously impossible.

Over the last month the Lord has continually laid on my heart 2 Peter 2:19 
When Peter wrote these verses, he was talking about sin and corruption, but every time I read those words I can't help but think about food. The Holy Spirit is loud and clear: if I'm unwilling to give it up, then we have a problem. 

Some of these particular foods represent my own selfishness, my own gluttony, and my own fleshly desire. I know I need to step away from them for a time, so I can make sure that when I do enjoy those "good" foods, I am doing so with a pure heart and a clean conscious.

3. Because I like a challenge. When it's all said and done, I've spent way too much time pinning and trying Paleo recipes to quit before we start. I LOVE that the cashier at the grocery store was shocked (and a little annoyed) when she realized that my entire cart was full of produce (plus some good quality meat!). Throw in my reusable shopping bags and I felt downright crunchy. 

I know there is so much more to life than being all-natural and vegetable friendly, but there is something very satisfying in knowing my home is full of healthy food. It's one way I can love my family and love myself.

Have any of you ever done a Whole30? What was your experience?  
What would be the one food you would miss the most? 


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  1. You can do it! It can be hard to stay motivated through a Whole 30. I started one last month, but didn't make it through when I got pregnant. I know you can do the Whole 30 while pregnant, but I started feeling pretty bad from morning sickness and desperately wanted to eat cheese. Anyway, I love finding yummy new recipes that don't rely on grains, dairies, or sugars. I've discovered some recipes during Whole 30 that make a regular appearance in our home now.

  2. I've never done the whole30 diet but I a in the process of changing our diet/way of life. We've switched to organic foods (at least what doesn't have a thick skin to protect it from the harmful spray that farmers use). We're completely avoiding GMOs. As far as meat I've only found one store that sells organic meat but it was out of our price range this shopping trip so maybe next time. Dairy wise, we're drinking only almond milk. Organic milk is expensive and is ultra pasteurized. I don't trust pasteurized/homongized milk. Raw is what we want but not yet able to attain. We're also switching to water 99% of the time (an occasional splurge here and there will happen) so I'm in the middle of defeating a soda addiction too. 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 (KJV) is what I'm using.

  3. So neat. I would love to try this, but as a fellow junk food/sugar addict it does sound daunting! Looking forward to hearing how it goes. This inspired me to fill my grocery cart with more "lean and green" today. :)

  4. Woohoo! You can do it! I tried once, wasn't prepared enough, and failed. But I'm gearing up for my next one right now! **Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I'm even more motivated now! ;o)



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