Why Whole 30 was not for me…

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

First let me start off saying, I’m not here to judge or sway you. If I want to eat an entire tray of rice crispys I’d expect you not to judge me so therefor I will not judge you on your eating habits. I know lots of people who have committed to and successfully lost weight on the Whole 30 program and really enjoyed it. I even tried it myself. But Whole 30 just wasn’t for me and here’s why:

No ‘recreations’ – As a lifestyle blogger, one of my favorite things to share are new recipes I’ve created. I love finding ‘vegan versions’ of this recipe, and ‘pho versions’ of that recipe so I think it’s fun to share them with all of you. According to the Whole 30 plan you can’t have anything that fake resembles a bad-for-you recipe.

For example, you can not have a “pizza crust” made from cauliflower and nutritional yeast, or a pancake made only from bananas, eggs, and coconut milk. Even though all of the ingredients are Whole 30 approved. I understand that some people have real eating issues and that’s why Whole 30 works with its specific rules and regulations but thinking I don’t have enough mental capacity to separate my Whole 30 pancake from my regular pancake is absurd to me. If you don’t have enough will power or brains to be able to eat the “recreation pancake” and not have complete guilt than you don’t need Whole 3o, you need a therapist.

Here’s a “Whole 30 approved” recreation not approved delicious sweet potato tots recipe. =) You’re welcome.

I really don’t like ‘off limits’ things – If you know me, you know I’ve always been the type of person who does not like limits. Diana you can’t go out with friends…sneaks out of basement. Diana you can’t take this advanced course…goes to dean with 2 page letter why I deserve to be in the class. Diana you can’t eat that, or that, or that, or drink that… Whole 30 you are not for me. Get the picture? Obviously I’m no longer a rebellious child or anti-authority society member but I still don’t like unnecessary boundaries. I personally love grains and beans and legumes and as someone who eats small portions all day long with little to no meat, I need these protein packed substitutes to fill my body. It just doesn’t make sense, (yes I’ve read the entire Whole 30 book with explanations) why these food groups were kicked out. I mean they just ‘gave you’ back potatoes. The fact that I’m allowed to eat a pound of bacon but not an oatmeal is too odd for me.

Um, No Fun? and Why are you yelling at me?

Not a huge meat/red meat eater – I’ve never been a big meat eater. I’ll eat anything someone has cooked for me (you’re super rude if you make a face a comment and don’t eat it, just saying). Food is love to me; and if someone refused my cooking I personally hand crafted specifically for them it would cause a barrier in the relationship and a quick way to never get fed by me again. Little rant added in, sorry, back to red meat.

Like I said, I’ll eat the bacon stuffed cheese bread covered in gravy, okay probably not a lot, but I’ll eat it because I think its amazing that you took the time to prepare it for me. But when it comes to meal planning for a week, mine does not look like steak twice, chicken 4 times, and a slab of bacon with broccoli to finish it off. The Whole 30 plan calls for incorporating quite a bit of red meat into your diet and I personally don’t feel that is what my body needs.

Foodie anyone? – I LOVE food. I love eating it, cooking it, picking it out, taking photos of it, you name it, food is my bestie. (Not in a way that I’ll end up on my 600b life though)

I need flexibility – I travel almost every weekend. Whether its to my loves house or to another state, I am always on the move. I also love shoes. And when it comes to packing, I’ll be choosing that extra pair of shoes over meal prepping tupperware every single time. It’s not just about your personal prepping though. In the 30 days there is no room for your friends dinner party, no date night out with your love, no ‘set backs’ allowed from a little nibble of your sister’s new dessert recipe. Nope. That would make you a CHEATER! A bad bad girl whose punishment is having the start all over again. I don’t have the lifestyle, nor do I want it, that I can’t enjoy life’s food moments with friends and loved ones.

What happened to the weekends? – I work from home usually 8am to about 1am 4 days a week. On Fridays I’m usually in the car driving or adding that 5th day to my work schedule. So when it comes to the weekends I want friends around me with a cocktail in one hand and something delicious in the other. (Don’t get dirty) I’m not saying you can’t enjoy the weekends when you’re on Whole 30 but out of 7 days in a week, you’re trying to tell me I can’t have 1 Coffee Stout with my friends? I think if i work my ass off all week, workout every day, and eat crazy healthy, my still shaky toosh deserves a celebratory beer. Or two.

When it comes down to it, stop stressing so much! Food is a great adventure and enjoyment in life, don’t let it become a guilt ridden, over-analyzed, un enjoyable stress. Get out of your head and back into the world. You don’t need rules, regulations, and off-limits lists to get healthy. And you should not be doing Whole 30 as a means to justify restrictions. Just remember to eat to nourish, everything in moderation, and enjoy life. If you eat a donut on Sunday, just workout a little longer on Monday. No guilt needed.

[Tweet “Why Whole 30 was not for @1broads journey. Tried it? Come share your thoughts!”]

Have you considered or have completed Whole 30 and have thoughts?

What food trends do you agree or disagree with?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

xxDiana

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