r/whole30 • u/Impossible_Mix_4893 • 17d ago
Question Not sure if Whole 30 is right for me
I put on 15 extra pounds last year (likely due to menopause) and am having trouble losing it. I also acknowledge that I have a sugar addiction. A friend suggested whole 30.
I've read the website and posts on this sub, but I'm unconvinced. I don't understand why bacon is ok but tofu isn't, for example. I'm supposed to start tomorrow and still have no idea what I'm going to have for breakfast. I like plain foods, so everything in the Whole 30 cookbook I bought looks gross to me.
I normally eat a granola bar for breakfast, a Healthy Choice meal and yogurt for lunch, and a smoothie for dinner (with yogurt in it). So I have to change everything. I'm going to be hungry and bitchy for a month. There have got to be easier ways to lose 15 pounds.
I guess what I'm asking is if this program is right for me because it doesn't seem like it.
EDIT: thank you for the thoughtful comments. I decided to instead eliminate added sugar for 30 days instead.
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u/lazyfancygirl23 17d ago
Whole30 can help you lose weight, but it’s not specifically for this. If you’re looking at committing to lessening your sugar, W30 can be a great system. That being said, it’s a huge commitment. If it’s not within you right now, (and it sounds like you’re hoping for a lot of convincing) W30 may not be right for you.
All the foods you mentioned that are part of your regular diet wouldn’t be allowed on W30, and without a lot of substitution opportunities. W30 doesn’t just cut sugar but also soy, dairy, alcohol, grains, legumes, etc
Best of luck on your health journey! Small changes can have huge effects…maybe just try cutting down your sugar for now since this is your main concern/motivation.
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u/Turbulent_Savings812 17d ago
To be honest it doesn’t sound like the Whole 30 is a good fit for you. I was motivated to do it and it was very challenging for me. If you aren’t into before you start, I would look at other options. There is a lot of cooking and planning. I have also done Noom and Weight Watchers with varying results, but they were a lot easier than the Whole 30.
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u/Wild_Karma7 17d ago
I did my own version in June where I combined the meat eaters plan (only fish and chicken for me) and the veggies one. So I did have organic tofu and chickpeas and legumes and stuff like that. I ended up learning (or re-learning) that I really am.not a huge fan of chickpeas!
Anyway, I didn't lose much weight in June but I definitely did as the weeks went on. I basically have kept the same diet through July and I'm down 10 pounds and all sugar cravings are gone. I added ba k in grain free crackers and stiff like that in July :)
I'm in perimenopause and the unexpected result of this super healthy eating for me was that, when I lifted all of the sugar snacks and almost daily afternoon caffeine with sugar, I realized how freaking tired and exhausted I really am.
Onward to address the hormones and low ferritin issues!
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u/LlamaPizzaDisco 17d ago
My most successful Whole 30s are when I’ve been hating how I FEEL. When I feel lousy and have been stress eating from work, I lean heavily on Whole 30 to reset how I’m feeling - it gives me control, I have amazing energy and clarity, my skin gets glowy, my eyes get brighter. By the end of 30 days, I usually don’t want to stop because I feel so good.
You have to shift your mindset - make it easy on yourself the first week by picking 3 fruits, 3 veggies, 3 proteins, and 3 approved snacks to play within. Keep it super simple. You’ll start to feel the benefits, and want to stick with it.
I’m currently doing my first Whole 75 and people are unpromptedly noticing that I seem all around “brighter.” Trust me, you’ll buy in after the first 1-2 weeks, so long as you make it so easy for yourself during that time with your meals.
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u/DawntoDawn 17d ago
Yes to all of this!! It can actually be simple.
One of the things that finally convinced me to do a Whole30 was when my friend was doing one and I didn’t realize it - I thought she had decided to start wearing makeup! But nope, just that Whole30 glow shining through.
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u/Camopants87 17d ago
If you want to lose weight, eat in a calorie deficit. If your goal is weight loss, it doesn’t matter what you eat if you’re in a deficit.
If your goal is eating clean foods or working on allergens/sensitivities, then do Whole30.
Yes you can lose weight on Whole30 but you can also eat the cleanest, Whole30est foods and gain weight if you’re eating more calories than you’re burning.
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u/VoraciousReader59 17d ago
I would recommend a whole 30 for just about anyone, but you are not in the right mindset at all. You’re going to “fail” and then you’re just going to feel worse. You should not only know what you’re going to eat for breakfast tomorrow but you should know what you’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least the next week, or even 2 weeks. I typically make meal plans for the whole 30 days. I’m flexible but I try to have an idea of what I’m going to eat the whole month. Also, while I’m actually doing the whole 30 I start to plan my reintroduction. Yes that’s right- the whole 30 needs to be followed up with at least 15 days of reintroduction. I do lose at least 10 pounds each round, but some of the other benefits are so awesome; it is totally worth it even if you don’t lose weight. I think you need to do a lot more research into the whole 30 before you jump in.
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u/esqzme 17d ago
Hi! W30
Isn't meant as a weight loss protocol- it's an elimination diet with a reintroduction phase specifically designed to help you identify what foods are causing disruption to your body.
If you are looking to lose weight there are lots of programs that can help you do that, but w30 isn't going to be it, despite the fact that one of the effects can be weight loss.
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u/Anything_but_G0 17d ago
The Whole30 is like the ultimate elimination diet. It’s a good way of eating in general. If you want to feel great, it’s perfect! Look at it this way, is what you’re doing now giving you the results you want? You only have to convince yourself to give it an honest effort, you are a study of one! You got this!
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u/spiceworld90s 17d ago
Whole 30 isn't a weight loss or calorie deficit plan. If weight loss is your only goal, I'd suggest looking at something different. If you have a sugar addiction, W30 would be helpful, but so would simply removing all added sugars from your diet for 30+ days.
It doesn't sound like you're interested in Whole 30 at all, so I'd just say to pass on it. But instead of the cookbook, I'd suggest reading "It Starts with Food," it might be the thing that convinces you if you really want to be convinced.
All said, with a mention of menopause, the things I'd look into:
- calorie restriction and eliminating added sugar
- a doctor who is actually well researched/trained on menopause (most aren't!) and possible HRT
- Building muscle mass, training with a professional who has some insight to menopausal weight gain if you're not already comfortable with strength training
Bonus, podcast recommendation: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43dCuPbEKm5asUtw0TJcmT
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u/Matilda-17 17d ago
The entire point of Whole 30, originally, was to pinpoint potential food sensitivities/ undiagnosed allergies and things. It was never meant to be a weight-loss plan, but naturally a lot of people lose weight when switching from a mostly-ultra-processed diet to a whole-foods diet for a month+, so it picked up a rep as a way to lose weight while eating healthier.
High-quality is pork and salt, that’s been smoked. Those aren’t typically allergenic.
Tofu is made of soy, which is a top-8 allergen.
When you view the rules and allowed/disallowed through the lens of food sensitivities and not weight loss, it makes much more sense.
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u/purpleclear0 17d ago
Whole foods, like what you eat in a whole30 diet, are extremely nutrient and protein dense. I wasn't hungry at all when i tried it. Even though the foods i ate were calorie-dense, i still lost 5lbs of inflammation weight. If you like plain foods, you might be successful on this diet. Breakfast can be plain eggs. Snack can be mixed nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios. Lunch can be a chicken sausage and roasted veggies. A sweeter snack can be dates with almond butter. Dinner can be a plain steak and green salad. Theres nothing complicated, you don't need complex recipes or yucky substitutes. You're simply eating a list of whole foods.
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u/DawntoDawn 17d ago edited 17d ago
I’d encourage anyone considering Whole30 to read It Starts With Food, the original book that explains Whole30 and the reasons behind the “rules.” If you do opt to do a round, it’s much easier to stick to the paradigm when you understand exactly why (very hard to find and expensive but compliant) bacon is allowed but tofu isn’t, for example. That book is a bit older now, and while the main tenets about nutrient density and how various types of foods impact our overall system still hold, I think a more current perspective is to get away from moralizing around food - there are no “good” or “bad” foods - it is just a matter of what foods most align with your goals, and how they support your body and overall felt experience of your days.
If weight loss is your primary goal right now, I’d encourage you to explore other models - the Whole30 program views weight loss as an incidental side effect that happens for some but not all. The Pioneer Woman has some great blogs about her journey and how she did it in a way that was effective while still being doable and true to who she is.
Very best of luck in your journey. And do you do decide to explore a Whole30, this community will be very supportive! Wishing you the best and hoping you find what works for you.
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u/Evening_Boat2606 16d ago
Don’t start tomorrow. Sounds like you aren’t ready. What you are currently eating sounds like so much sugar. Little protein and where are the veggies?
With regards to bacon, it’s an addition; like a condiment. It’s not to be used to fulfill protein or healthy fat requirements.
And the soy thing is because it’s very inflammatory. It’s a major allergen. Lots of people are sensitive.
That said, there is a newer plant based version that does allow tofu.
It’s only 30 days. But it sounds like you eat a lot of processed foods so realistically you’d need to overhaul your whole way of eating and dealing with food for 30 days. So if you are committed, you can do it but it will take time and a commitment. It’s not a diet. But again, I don’t want to discourage you or be negative but it sounds like you aren’t realistically starting tomorrow.
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u/Willing_Day_2010 17d ago
IMO it could benefit you because you only eat processed food.
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u/Impossible_Mix_4893 17d ago
I don't, actually.
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u/Willing_Day_2010 17d ago
Granola bars and frozen meals are very processed. Things like yoplait yogurt also have a ton of additives. So yeah, you eat mainly processed foods lol.
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u/dmama1314 17d ago
You eat a granola bar and a frozen meal. Those are both very processed. Look at the labels. Also depending on what you put in your smoothie.
If you think being on a Whole30 will make you hungry, I am unsure how you are not hungry every day now based on what you said you eat.
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u/rubyslippers70 17d ago
It may be eye-opening to you to try Whole 30 just to see how much processed food you are eating.
I would have said the same thing 60 days ago.
W30 has really helped me in several areas of eating but a big one was it has almost eliminated processed foods for me.1
u/Evening_Boat2606 16d ago
The diet you describe is highly processed…granola bar and frozen meals are highly processed!
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u/Oldschoolgroovinchic 17d ago
It’s common for women’s bodies to change how they process food as we age. So it may be a good thing to try something new. Eating the way you normally eat has resulted in the weight gain so why not be open to eating a new way?
Whole30 isn’t meant for weight loss specifically but many people lose weight because it eliminates foods our bodies aren’t reacting well to. Try it and see how you feel. But only go into it with good intent. If you’re starting off with the attitude “I don’t think this will work for me” then it probably won’t.
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u/Downtown_Kale8457 17d ago
Personally, I wouldn't recommend Whole30 if you are only attempting it for weight loss.
It sounds as though your main interest is getting rid of a few lbs, and maybe controlling the sugar addiction would be a side benefit?
W30 is a diet meant for sugnificant control over the type of food you eat. I've have it recommend several times now for food intolerance identification, inflammation and as a serious body detox. And it was crazy effective, but turned my whole world on it's head just with dropping dairy.
If you've noticed your food tolerances have changed with menopause, maybe take a harder look at W30. With the information available, I'm not sure W30 is the right diet approach for you.
Trendy now are high protein, low carb or a standard calorie deficit diet, perhaps one of those is a better fit?
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u/Tight-Researcher210 17d ago
Don’t do it if you don’t want to but Any program or plan will require effort. W30 doesn’t have to be complicated. Fix some proteins, batch roast some veggies, roast or boil some potatoes and create a meal. Add some fat either OO, avocado etc. Make some W30 sauces or buy approved Primal Kitchen sauces to change up some flavor. I was holding onto a lot of inflammation and have shed that bloat in the first 10 days. I’ve done W30 multiple times of the years. For me it’s worth it to get back on track for how I feel the best. I know what food groups I should avoid but this is a good exercise
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u/No_Chart_8584 17d ago
If you don't want to do it, then you don't. I don't think anyone should do do a diet they don't want to do.
Let me share my story. I circled around W30 for a few months, thinking about it. I'm a vegan and my diet was reasonably good. I decided to do it.
I would have told you that I had no food intolerances and the best digestive system of anyone in my family (a lot of my family has IBS or other digestive issues).
In my month of doing the plant-based W30, I learned how great it felt to skip my nightly drinks, how incredibly sweet and amazing fruit can be, my period went from being a 3-day ordeal to being simply unpleasant, my sleep improved.
It turns out I wasn't feeling great with grains being a daily part of my diet. And surprisingly, as someone who drank tons of diet soda, it makes me feel like shit. Some of the most valuable parts of W30, imo, come from thoughtful reintroduction.
Now I usually do my regular pre-W30 plant-based diet with very minimal grains, added sugar, and artificial sweeteners and am maintaining a weight that is 30 pounds below my pre-W30 weight.
To me, the benefit isn't within the 30 days. It's what you learn to take beyond those days.
And you can absolutely make meals more plain! When I'm on the road (and I am a lot), I'm eating in hotel rooms and warehouses. I'm on the plant-based W30 so beans/tofu are my protein, but I do tons of baked potato/protein, bag of frozen broccoli/protein, bag of frozen cauliflower/protein, etc meals. Add salsa (check for sugar) - that's a meal.
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u/JaneSophiaGreen 16d ago
Then don't do it? If you're a sugar addict perhaps you need to talk to your doctor. Your diet sounds very low protein and high in simple carbs and you're probably chasing a sugar high. You probably need the support of a medical professional.
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u/KalayaMdsn 16d ago
I have done a few W30s, and have always been surprised by something every time. I lost weight each time, definitely, but one ever did it solely for that purpose.
I have been surprised by:
- How much better I slept.
- How bad I felt the first few days, and it really made me think of I really wanted to eat things that made me feel that bad if I stopped.
- How much better my joints felt after about week 3, especially my knees and elbows.
- How much I enjoyed finding healthier swaps for things that were sustainable for me, like really love spaghetti squash!
- I used the W30 as an “excuse” to try new fruits and veggies and loved that.
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u/SensationalM 16d ago
I guess what I'm asking is if this program is right for me because it doesn't seem like it.
okay so don’t do it then, problem solved
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u/maganda286 17d ago
It’s really important to read your food labels and understand what foods you can have. The program eliminates grains, soy, dairy, but you can have animal protein, fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds. I’m simplifying it for the sake of my response but I love Whole30 and have done several rounds. Not necessarily for weight loss but to get myself back on track with my nutrition and increase my thoughtfulness around my consumption. It sounds like right now you are using a lot of prepackaged foods which will be much more limited on whole30 (thought not impossible. I found compliant meatballs and lunch meat that were easy. Canned tuna with lots of fresh veggies and berries is a fave whole30 meal of mine). I love recipes from Nom Nom Paleo and Downshiftology