I have an announcement: I hate this diet. I am struggling big time.
Here’s the thing… it’s honestly not just about junk food cravings. Allow me to explain?
BEFORE Whole 30
We ate pretty decently before and had a few minor health issues but nothing huge (sometimes tummy rumblings, ahem, bathroom stuff, ahem… fatigue, maybe some aches and pains, especially after eating sugar – stuff like that). We weren’t eating perfectly… and in fact while we had embraced the “80-20 Rule” (where you eat super healthy 80% of the time and try not to worry about the other 20%, within reason of course), we had really started sliding down that slippery slope of making way too many exceptions to what we knew was best for our bodies.
DURING Whole 30
Now we are feeling decently healthy… but kind of the same as before. You’re not supposed to weigh yourself during the 30 days, but my rebel husband has been doing it anyway. He has lost 12 pounds so far, at 15 days in! Much is probably water weight from the infamous carb/sugar bloating that most people carry around, but not all of it. And I don’t remember what I weighed at the beginning but I think I’ve lost a bit because I’m down a jean size (which was welcomed).
When you eliminate ALL traces of junk and sugar and other foods your body doesn’t like, it can often cause die-off. The bad bacteria in your gut start dying off and making you feel like crud. People can feel woozy, flu-like, headachy, “hangover-ish”. I felt a bit of that, especially exhaustion and a general sense of woozy/fuzzyness that I couldn’t shake. It didn’t go away until one day at the suggestion of a friend in a Whole 30 facebook group, I diced up a sweet potato and fried it in coconut oil and had it with my eggs for breakfast. Carbs.
Bam! It was an immediate and obvious change. I felt vitalized and awake and energetic that day, and continued to crave sweet potatoes regularly. Hmm. Other than being up multiple times a night with a teething baby, I am feeling pretty energized. Of course, that could be due to the Paleo-ish-ness of this thing, or it could be due to the 100% cutting out sugar and vegetable oils and such.
Why I Suspect Whole 30 Isn’t Working For Me
So. Here’s the thing. Have you ever heard of nutritional typing? Dr. Mercola may be kinda kooky in a lot of ways (sensationalistic, self-promoting and aggressive marketer), but his research is usually pretty solid. A few years ago I read an article of his talking about how some people are “protein types”, some are “carb types”, and some are “mixed types”.
These Paleo people are advocating a diet of mostly meat and vegetables (and healthy fats). The main way they differ from the WAPF (Weston A. Price Foundation) folks as far as I can see is how they approach grains. WAPF advocates eating grains (soaked, sprouted, or sourdough – we are NOT talking Wonderbread here, people) along with healthy meats and fats, veg, etc. But Paleo advocates cutting out grains entirely. At this point in the game, I’m just not so convinced. I really, really think I’m a Mixed Type – I don’t function best on cutting out grains altogether. I had the same cravings when our family did the GAPS Diet for 4 months. I craved homemade bread slathered with butter like nobody’s business.
(Oh, and side note: there are lots of veggies that are a good source of carbs. It’s not just the typical bread and pasta. I’ve often heard people criticize the Paleo Diet for “cutting out an entire food group” and how that’s so unhealthy… but in reality the government’s food guide is total garbage produced by politicians to further the bottom-lines of various processed food industries. What we need to focus on including in any healthy diet are the three essential macronutrients: fat, protein, and carbohydrates).
Here’s the thing: I can’t give a final verdict just yet. I’m just barely halfway through, and according to the timeline, I am just starting the awesomeness phase. Here’s what they have to say about what will happen on Day 16-28 (we are on day 16):
“Goodbye cravings, hello Tiger Blood! This must be what everyone is talking about! You’ve hit the downhill slope of your Whole30 and life is beautiful. Your energy is through the roof, you’ve kicked the cravings, you’re experimenting with new, delicious food, and you’ve finally got the time to notice that your clothes fit better, your workouts are stronger, and you are generally more awesome. There’s not much more to say about this phase – go and enjoy it!”
Two weeks from now will be quite telling, I imagine. One last note of concern for me is that I am beginning to suspect my milk supply has dropped, but I’m not sure how to tell for sure. I’m trying to make sure I eat lots of sweet potatoes and squash for the extra carbs, but I really do not enjoy the taste of sweet potatoes, and can only eat so many before getting so sick of them. It is possible I’m not eating enough calories, with the stress of trying to prepare so much from scratch on a limited diet.
Why I Still Want My Friends and Family to Try the Whole 30
I can’t say for sure yet, but I suspect I’m going to go back to WAPF ways after this experiment (the Whole 30 authors, Dallas and Melissa Hartwig, call it a 30-day self-experiment) and continue eating moderate amounts of non-processed starchy carbs, like rice, potatoes, etc.
HOWEVER… if I had much more obvious health concerns (like many of my friends and family do! Like extra weight, fatigue, unhealthy hair and skin, serious bowel issues, brain fog, aches and pains, seasonal allergies, headaches, diabetes, arthritis, chronic infections/inflammation, colds, etc) then I’d be ALL OVER this diet. I wish I could convince people to just try it. And if not this, then WAPF. To cut out the junky processed stuff that is making our society sick (plus common triggers for so many people like dairy and grains), and just see what would happen. For those who suffer from these kinds of health issues and have never tried changing their diet: Whole 30 could be jaw-droppingly life-changing. For reals. I think this diet is really more for those kinds of people.
This post has already gotten pretty long, but there is one more reason why I am really struggling with this diet. I will talk more about that in my next post. It’s more of a philosophical sort of discussion, less science-y.
Blair
I would love to read any follow-up posts about this experience. I looked but maybe I am missing them. Could you link a sister up? Thank you!
Beth
Hey Blair! Thanks for reading! Unfortunately, I never got that follow-up post published, but you’ve inspired me to go back and maybe finish it up once and for all. Thanks for commenting and giving me that needed kick in the butt 😉
Jule
Nice work, Beth!
I have cut processed sugar and dairy from my diet since the week before Christmas.
I read somewhere that carbs equal belly fat, so I cut out breads and pasta to test that- it only took 4 days to start feeling the effects of ketosis. My kidneys said “BLAH!”. I think I am like you in needing some bread. I made a batch of (and ate the heck out of) organic whole wheat lead-heavy rolls with butter baked on top and I feel good again. I’m still losing weight by eliminating the processed sugar and dairy. Olive oil has been my good friend in the process. “Man cannot live on bread alone.”– which makes me think, ‘hey, maybe we need bread.’ Just make sure it’s good bread!
Janell
It’s a great perspective. I just finished my Whole 30 at the end of March. I really liked it and eat that way consistently 90% of the time.
I found myself not craving carbs after about 10 days in. My energy really skyrocketed and I sleep better even now.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Krissa
Loved reading about your experience so far, and it’s great how much your husband has lost and that you guys are feeling healthier. Fuzzy is a great way to describe the feeling at the beginning. I’m still trying to work out what I will transition to after this…likely some grain and dairy added back in…and some sweeteners? Honey and maple syrup in moderation maybe? What does WAPF say about honey and maple syrup? My concern is that when I let a little bit back in it will be quickly downhill from there, sliding back into bad habits. I like the 80/20 idea but I have a feeling I would not be too accurate with the percentages! What do you think about how they say in the book it might take longer than 30 days for the cravings to disappear, and some people have to do a whole45? I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this one, but if you’re still having cravings on day 30 are you going to keep going to see if they disappear? 🙂
Winona Thompson
I did the Virgin diet a couple of months ago. This is JJ Virgin’s plan. For 21 days you cut out the most known things that people are allergic too: sugar and sugar substitutes, corn, soy, peanuts, dairy, eggs, and gluten. I did lose some weight on this diet, but was so miserable. I struggled with constipation and was just plain unhappy. This did not improve like she says it will. I struggled to eat enough calories a day. I was eating 25-36 grams of fiber a day which is supposed to be good for you, but made me feel horrible. I still ate potatoes and rice. That was really the only way I could get my calories in. Just vegetables, fruit, and meat didn’t get it for me. I did eat lots of lentils and dry beans, but as I said this diet made me miserable. I stuck with it for 21 days, but doubt that I will ever do it again. I slowly added things back in to see how I would react. I already knew that I had a gluten intolerance, so was not surprised when I added wheat back into my diet to have some rough days with stuffiness and joint pain. I have finally accepted the fact that I cannot eat wheat, period! I was so happy to be able to eat some scrambled eggs and then some greek yogurt. I think I missed eggs and dairy the most. Since I am diabetic, I thought this diet would be great for me, but it just wasn’t. I need my dairy, eggs, a little corn, and even a bit of natural peanut butter. I am still avoiding all gluten and most soy, but do eat a bit of honey.
For the month of April, I decided not to eat any chocolate, nor drink any pop. I am on day 17. Yep, I think I am feeling better. I love Coke and Pepsi, but I think the high fructose corn syrup in it was killing me. So I hope to never go back to drinking pop, but will probably add some dark chocolate back into my diet. Chocolate is my weakness. 🙂
This was a wonderful blog post that I thoroughly enjoyed reading, even all the comments. Thank you for posting this.
nichole
oops I pressed submit too soon.
basically if I feel the same after all of this is over, I plan on slowly reintroducing certain grains and dairy to better monitor their affect on my health.
Again, thanks so much for posting. the next two weeks should be interesting!
Nichole
OMG! So thankful you posted this!! I love me some dairy and soaked/sprouted grains. I haven’t read “it starts with food” book but I’m not convinced whole 30/ completely paleo is absolutely necessary or the healthiest for everyone also. I generally follow WAPF but like you allow too many exceptions (sweets especially). I don’t have any health problems really but I do have breakouts when I eat more sugar. I started Whole30 April also because I thought maybe since I always eat certain grains and dairy I didn’t realize any mild negative impacts on my health. So I thought I’d give it a try. So far I’ve been fine, no major cravings but honestly no real changes in anything besides annoyance when I give my daughter something with butter or cheese and she tries sharing with me haha! I do think my milk production has decreased but I am not sure if it is because of the diet (I eat a lot. Still.) Or because I was sick and still recovering or because my girl is starting to wean. So I’m sticking it out for the next two weeks and we’ll see if I start to feel amazingly different like many claim or if I’ll feel the
Rebecca
I have cut out sugar from my diet — processed foods really weren’t in my diet much to begin with, but lots of sweets were! I also don’t eat wheat / bread anymore unless it is from sprouted grains. We have a local bakery in our area that makes sprouted wheat bread that is WAY tastier than anything Ezekial… and a lot cheaper, too… so that is the only bread I eat now.
I try to follow a cross between Nourishing Traditions / GAPS / WAPF — homemade bone broth, lots of healthy fats, pastured eggs and grassfed meats. I am not 100% gluten free but I am about 95%.
I don’t have any chronic illnesses associated with what I eat. However, I was recently diagnosed with chronically high cortisol levels, which is wreaking havoc on my sleep, I have moderate adrenal fatigue and RT3 hypothyroid (after complaining to the docs for over 10 years I finally get the proper diagnosis). So while those issues are serious, they aren’t related to my diet. They are related to chronic stress… and oh boy stress can kill!! So I am learning to let go and not let things bother me as much. I am on some cortisol managing pills that pull my cortisol levels down while I sleep so I can actually sleep. That will help my body heal. It has been about 3 weeks now and I think I can feel a difference.
So, in answer to your question about your readers’ diet, well, I am not following one specific one. I am taking components of individual diet plans (fermented veggies, bone broth, raw dairy, kefir, fermented cod liver oil, etc) and customizing for my own lifestyle.
Regarding Dr. Mercola’s metabolic typing, I am an animal protein type. If I tried to become a vegetarian I would be sick sick sick all the time. But I do best on a breakfast with eggs, meat, and sprouted toast. Dinner is meat with a side of veggies. I can’t eat a big salad for dinner like my husband can, and be filled. Hubby would be a good vegetarian.
Crystal
Very interesting! We’ve been tossing the idea of Whole 30 around (I was pretty much sold for a little while) but I have back-pedalled. This pregnancy is extremely difficult for me (mostly sore joints and I’m HUGE this time around) so my motivation is lacking. But we are making a lot more food from scratch and working on increasing meats/fruits/veggies. My friends recently went Gluten-free and they are LOVING it (including their teenage son, who feels, for the first time, that his brain functions actively in chemistry class). I’m looking forward to your philosophical-y reasons!
Laura Jane @ Super Sweet Life
I love hearing your thoughts. I have done something very similar to the Whole 30 about a year ago. Several years ago, I even fasted completely (not a juice fast – water only) for 21 days. My first observation is that sometimes diets (or “lifestyles” – whatever you call them) like the Whole 30 are often overpromised. You’ll feel great, you’ll beat tiredness, your skin will glow, etc. While I believe there is a lot of health and emotional benefit in something like the Whole 30, many people won’t magically have more energy and clear skin. While on the Whole 30, I did lose significant weight which I really needed to do. I also felt a lot better psychologically in many ways because I was exercising self control and didn’t feel depressed about my weight and food problems. However, the first couple weeks were torture. I was an emotional wreck like I have never been before or since in my life. I could hardly stop crying and even couldn’t had to leave a couple social events early because I simply could not compose myself, and I’m usually a very stable person. By about day 15, my emotions finally regulated and I felt much better on that front. I think my problem was partly the pain of breaking up with my emotional eating, partly the physical effect of far less carbs, partly the forcing myself to eat things I don’t enjoy. Anyway, it did not really change my energy levels. It also did nothing to clear up my awful skin. However, it did make me feel better about myself and resulted in a lot of weight loss which helped me feel much better. I find that I lose weight like crazy when eating mostly protein/fat and less carbs. Once I get through the two week hump, my energy levels usually return to where they were on my typical high carb diet, but I don’t find that I have any additional energy. I also think it would be super tough to eat enough calories to maintain weight plus extra calories for breastfeeding. It’s just hard to eat that many calories of meats, fruits, and veggies, especially when you can’t even have the added fat of dairy. I guess you could try to eat a lot of bananas and fattier meats.
Marissa
This is pretty much exactly the post that I have been working through in my mind Beth! I cut out all grains completely once before and found that it was amazing at first but then started to go down the not so amazing road. I thought it was simply because I was pregnant and not getting enough calories/carbs but I’m finding that the same thing this time if I don’t keep tossing back the squash and sweet potatoes.
Lauren
Oh do I ever hear you on this! Exactly why I’m hesitating to call what we are doing “paleo”… Basically we ate like you guys did but started making/baking 😉 more exceptions than not. Hubby needs to lose some weight and scrap some bad habits- me too! So focusing mainly on veg and protein, but allowing (for now) soaked oats. After 30 days I will add in more soaked grains.
So I think I know where you’re heading on the philosophy side 🙂 can’t wait to read your thoughts!
Frances
Wish I could try it but my hubby is a picky eater and I’m not up for making 3 different meals everyday. (Our toddler is in a picky phase too)
One of the other bloggers I follow started whole 30 for march and had to stop because her milk supply was also dropping (and her babe is still less than 10 weeks I think) so she had to quit and add oatmeal back into her breakfast.
Hope the rest of the month goes well for you!
[email protected]
Okay, I can’t wait to read your philosophical-y reasons….way to leave us with a cliffhanger, Beth!