If you haven't heard of the Whole30, prepare to be shocked and saddened. That's how I felt when I heard of it. It's basically a 30-day detox — a natural way to reset your cravings, metabolism and get on the right track in a natural, healthy way. It's not a fad diet, it's a way to discipline yourself to eat wholesome, sometimes green food. Read more about this here: http://whole30.com/
So. This means: no grains (hello, bread and pasta. Or should I say goodbye?), no dairy, no added sugar (no honey, even), no beans, legumes, or alcohol. This list is not extensive — but let me tell you, it is hard. It challenges me every day.
I am a little over a week in and I have never thought about food so much in my entire life — both good and bad. I think about the healthy things I am going to make that day while scrolling through my Whole30 Pinterest board and I think about cracking and going to Taco Bell. Obviously my cravings have not totally subsided.
But, I have learned so much already.
First of all, I have learned that I can do it. And if I can do it, a girl who loves pizza more than her own life and is always down for Whataburger, so can you. The thing that is the most challenging for me is sitting down and planning my grocery list, honestly. Cooking is only hard if you make it. Pretend you're Bobby Flay and it instantly becomes one hundred times more fun. Or even better, Guy Fieri.
Second, I have learned that the food we consume without a second thought is basically terrible. And we are addicted to it. Preservatives and MSG (monosodium glutamate... bad) are in basically everything and so is sugar. I recently found out that my beloved Chick-fil-a adds sugar to their grilled chicken. Who does that? Definitely NOT my pleasure. (Don't get me wrong, I will be back after my round of Whole30 ends. The day of, probably.)
Finally, I have learned what things I should be putting in my body and the many ways Whole30 food benefits me. The other day, I cheated and had some lemon pound cake. I. Felt. Awful. Not mentally, although I did feel pretty guilty, but physically. I knew I put something in my body that was sugary, heavy and fatty. Yuck. It made me feel sick.
Whole30 has taught me to be a better me and to take care of my body. After all, it is the only one I will have in this life. If that isn't reason enough to take care of it, I don't know what is.
P.S. Eat your vegetables!
