Food
Whole30: The Truth Behind the Hype
If you’re plugged in to Instagram’s food and nutrition community, you’ve probably seen #whole30 posts. There are nearly 3.5 million photos of omelettes, avocado slices, sweet potato fries and hash browns, and salads, among other foods. Whole30 is the latest diet craze to take the world by storm, and people are raving about their results. But what is it exactly, and is it right for you?
What is Whole30?
Whole30 is a bit like a cleanse but with food. Over the course of 30 days, you eliminate several food groups from your diet. Then, you pay attention to the ways your energy levels, sleep, mood, and cravings are affected. Essentially, Whole30 offers dieters a chance to press the reset button and reexamine their relationship with nutrition.
So, what do you have to eliminate? For 30 days, you have to avoid:
- Sugar, real and artificial
- Alcohol
- Grains
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Additives like MSG, sulfites, and carrageenan
- Baked goods
- Junk foods
- Processed food made with Whole30-approved ingredients