The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom

I read It Starts With Food in January & completed my first Whole30. Before January, I had followed a very strict low carb diet for 2 months. I even consulted with a physician after one month of no results on the low carb diet, who suggested I add in more protein and small meals to help with weight loss. In the past, low carb diets worked like a dream for me, but this time nothing happened. Probably from years of dieting when the scale tipped to an undesirable number then eating what I wanted once I was back to my normal weight. (Or maybe all of the artificial sweeteners & processed protein bars I was filling up on?) I'm mid thirties with 2 kids &, even though I'd lost all baby weight, experienced a big move that precipitated me gaining about 15 lbs before I went low carb. When it didn't work, I panicked. Thank goodness I found It Starts With Food. I had never felt better in my life. I lost 10 lbs in one week (I know I wasn't supposed to weigh myself, but I felt so good I had to!), where I had been at a stale mate on low carb. In all, I lost 15 lbs, which took me back to my normal weight. Towards the end, though, it wasn't about the weight. It was about the health. I've gone in and out of a paleo type diet & falling off the wagon since January & felt like I needed a reboot. I had pre-ordered this cookbook in April so I dusted it off in July and got started on Whole30 number 2. My husband is doing it along with me this time. We are on day 8 & I referenced the Whole 30 timeline that says days 10 & 11 are the hardest days in conversation today. He has finally gotten through his energy slump & has been feeling great, so asked why Day 10 was supposed to be hard. I told him about food boredom. He acted appalled. "Everything we've eaten has been AWESOME!!" If you knew my husband you'd realize how out of character this comment is. His diet (pre Whole30) consists of numerous Cokes (sometimes 6-8 a day!), cheese, and grains with a healthy amount of meat. He loves doughnuts and French toast & canned green beans & carrots are the only vegetable he'd eat. Since following 90% just this cookbook, he's actually tried and LOVED asparagus, sweet potatoes & more. What's even more crazy is that this weekend he actually took to the kitchen & created some "hot plates" of his own. We have been married 7 years & I can count on my fingers the number of meals he's cooked. So this is big. He's interested in food & health & new flavors. His enthusiasm is making this 2nd time around so much more fun. I recommend this for anyone new to Whole30. While a lot of the info in the beginning of the book can be found on the website, the recipes really are delicious. They're not intimidatingly difficult, as several of the paleo books I've bought are. Most ingredients are common and easy to find. I still recommend It Starts With Food, but if you're only in it for weight loss, this book might be where to start. It Starts With Food is more of the "why" behind all of the rules. It helped me during my first Whole30 many times. Mainly because of all the questions I got--like "Isn't corn a vegetable??" and "Oh, one piece/glass/taste won't hurt you, will it??" I'm the type of person that needs to know the why or I might buy into a little cheat every now & then. My husband, on the other hand is not like me. He hasn't read either book & doesn't plan on it. Lol He just relies on me & what I tell him. So, I guess it depends on you, but if you want a good book with the Whole30 rules & resources & delicious recipes that are doable by anyone, this is a perfect place to get started. Best of luck on your journey!

This review is rather long, and I apologize for that, but the potential benefits to you of buying and reading this book are so monumental that it can literally change your life, both mentally and physically. Your results can vary but typically your thoughts will be clearer, you will have more energy, you will feel better overall, and you will probably eliminate some of the constant discomfort (or pain) that you have been dealing with for years. I encourage you to read it through in order to get a good understanding of what the WHOLE30 plan entails and could mean to you. My daughter and her fiance (both physicians) highly recommended that I try this WHOLE30 plan. They had both been suffering from intermittent bouts of gerd (and other digestive problems) and wanted to find out what specifically caused these episodes. Being "foodies" they found themselves trying different types of foods cooked with different methods and ingredients. And that is where this plan helped them pin down what was causing their unwanted reactions. They recommended the WHOLE30 plan to me because I have been suffering from constant (and sometimes debilitating) inflammation. There are several known foods/ingredients that can cause inflammation. However every individual is different and there are allergists specializing in determining what might affect you adversely. The problem with this is that even allergists (and/or their tests) can get it wrong. As a case in point, I am supposedly deathly allergic to tree nuts. I carry two Epipens with me just in case BUT I have never had a reaction to tree nuts! The problems I have with inflammation began after I retired and lost 80 lbs. Thirty years ago I had L4 and L5 (lower spine) repaired with a lateral fusion and a Bradford Wiring. My theory has been that dropping weight off my middle has caused my spine to shift and put extra pressure on one or more nerves. However after seeing four doctors (x-rays, CTs and MRIs) and two pain management specialists (epidurals and injections) I still have the same problems. Not only that but my imaging tests did not point out anything dramatic that could be causing my pain or require further surgery. Recently the pain has been migrating to different areas which makes it all the more mystifying. The WHOLE30 plan is designed to eliminate all processed foods and multiple ingredients that might be causing inflammation in people. The meal program essentially gets back to the basics and tells you what foods you can eat and which ones to avoid. The idea is to go through the purging process of eliminating your old food habits.. Assuming you have great results, like my daughter and her fiance have had after completing their first 30 days, you can then begin slowly adding in different foods to determine if the new food is causing any of your digestive or inflammation problems. They found that red wine, tomatoes and beer affected them adversely. Your results will depend on your own body chemistry. In the meantime, I have read the WHOLE30 book and begun the program. Additional weight has already been dropping off which of course is a side benefit. The average American diet is obviously geared toward instant gratification and we tend to eat foods that we love -- foods that are quick to pick up, tasty, full of salt and sugar, MSG, and gluten. Foods that cause Type 2 diabetes and the myriad problems that come from being overweight/obese. To help in this 30 day plan, the authors have told you what to expect (almost on a daily basis) as far as how you feel both physically and emotionally, that will show you what other people have gone through. Knowing that you are experiencing what other people have observed will confirm that you are doing the right things as far as your new eating habits. The WHOLE30 plan is simple and must be followed accurately and completely. The wild card is simply you as the individual and your reactions to being on it, how dedicated you are, and how successfully you get through the 30 days. If you get the amazing results you expect you can simply start adding some of your old foods back. You know which ones that should be avoided and you will probably find that you make more informed and intelligent choices. Feel free to go back on the 30 day plan at any time. Some people have done the 30 days several times, resulting in not only feeling much better but also losing a lot of weight. The knowledge to do so is in this book. The results depend on your level of commitment.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have read it starts with food I truly believe it saved my life. However I have had many friends who found it intimidating and a little heavy on the science. I think the whole 30 is a much friendlier read if you were intimidated by the first book. I am currently on my seventh round of whole 30 and I still found this to be a very informative read. I think there something in this book for everyone. If you're curious about the whole 30 but don't care too much about the science behind it this book is absolutely perfect for you and it will hold your hand and guide you throughout the entire 30 day process. If you've done whole 30 before I still think this is a valuable resource both for information and recipes. Maybe the whole 30 isn't for everyone but I have never seen a program that has done so much for such a wide spectrum of people and for that alone I really think this is worth checking out. You must keep in mind that while weight loss might be a side effect this is not a weight-loss program, this is a journey that will redefine your relationship with food. You might not even think you have any issues with food until you give this a shot and then all of a sudden you realize how much you really relied on the bagel in the morning or the sugar in your coffee. You're certainly going to discover that your skin might not be as clear as it could be or you don't have as much energy as you should or even that your mental disposition isn't quite as sunny as you might think. I have personally seen this program do wonders for people who have psoriasis and MS as well colitis and chronic migraines. Before discovering the whole 30 program I never had any idea how much food actually affected our physical and mental existence and it didn't even take 30 days for me to personally see all the negative ways I was being affected by the standard American diet. For my 28th birthday I gave copies of it starts with food to everyone in my immediate family and with my birthday coming up again I know I'll be buying more copies of this to hand out because what I really want is for my loved ones to be healthier.

I like the concept behind the Whole30 and did my first one in January 2015. I had done a lot of prep for my first Whole30 by obsessively reading everything on their website and mentally preparing myself for the changes to come. I spent a lot of additional time in the kitchen, tried lots of new foods, and felt great. Yet at the same time, I was happy to have it end – it is too restrictive for everyday! Which they say is the case, actually. So when I heard they were coming out with a new book I wanted to support Melissa, Dallas and their team. I like their thoughts behind why they restrict food for the short-term. When the book came (a day late, darn you Amazon) I was really impressed with how beautiful it was! It is like a Whole30 textbook. I read some of the beginning chapters – it’s not really anything new from what is on the website. But it sure is packaged well. The recipes ARE simple, no doubt about it. I am not a great cook; I can manage decently in the kitchen but I appreciate simple recipes. I like that they are trying to distance themselves from the idea that a Paleo-style diet is for people with too much time and money on their hands, bringing it back to basics about food prep and eating fresh and well. These recipes help the novice and build on basic cooking techniques. Nothing wrong with that. I’d never made a stuffed pepper before getting this book, which was delicious! I also successfully made the roasted sweet potato with Brussels sprouts and balsamic reduction, the guacamole, and the pesto, all of which also turned out great. The other thing I appreciate about the recipes is that they all make 2 servings. In a household of 2, I really like it!

Hi, my name is Meg and I'm a chronic failure when it comes to dieting. (hi, meg!) The absolute BEST thing about Whole30 is that it simply is not a diet. I first stumbled upon Whole30 after two different friends--from two different friend circles--discussed this 30 day "plan" they were completing. As one girl whined and moaned about not being able to chew gum, I naturally took that as a challenge and thought: I'll do this Whole30 and not be such a baby about it. I read the Whole30 blog, I used Instagram as a means to gather additional recipes and helpful hints, and ten days later, I began day one. Surprisingly, I found it to be the BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED to my little round self. I gained confidence, learned that I do have the ability to say "no" to food cravings, discovered a myriad of new recipes, cured all of my PCOS symptoms (regular menstrual cycles for the first time in ten years and no cysts), and as a bonus, dropped 2 pants sizes. As a child, I was in and out of the hospital with stomach pains and problems (I'll spare all the details) and after following Melissa & Dallas' Whole30, I ate sans stomach aches for the first time EVER. Truly, I did not know that was possible. For my entire life eating a meal meant some level of pain/discomfort while my food digested. Not anymore! Also, chronic migraines: gone! Whole30 can be a challenge, but it isn't hard. It's worth it. About this book: LAWD, HAVE MERCY! It's beautiful. I'm leaving it on my coffee table forever. (Confession: I did, in fact, walk back and forth from my kitchen to my coffee table while I cooked tonight because I didn't want to risk getting food on the new pages. It's brand new and I'm in love, okay?) It presents all information necessary to complete Whole30, informs one about all rules, discusses the importance of following the rules, and provides a plethora of recipes and resources. (They went above and beyond here, people.) The photography is amazing. The typography is stunning. The recipes are delicious. And, may I say again that the book is just so incredibly BEAUTIFUL? From one wonder woman to another wonder (wo)man, you must buy the book. Give Whole30 a try. (If all else fails, you'll have a stunning book on display to let all your guests see how "healthy" you are.) But really, Whole30. Just do it. (Also, I'd love to answer any additional questions you may have regarding this book or the purchase of this book. instagram: @roemeg)

I'm a *huge* proponent of the Whole30 program, having had darn near miraculous results my first time. What I love best about Whole30, though, is that they offer the program for free online to anyone who wants it. You don't *have* to buy their books and products, which makes me more inclined to support them by buying their books and projects. I've not yet read the predecessor _It Starts With Food_, so this is my first Whole30 book. The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination diet designed to help you discover your individual sensitivities to certain foods – and, yes, we all have them, from gas to skin and attitude problems. The Whole30 is unapologetically strict. For 30 days, you eliminate: Added sugar of all kinds (fruit sugars are okay) Alcohol Grains Legumes (excepting green beans, snow peas, and sugar snap peas) Dairy Carageenan, MSG, or added sulfites Healthy “baked good” alternatives The scale/weighing oneself This book reviews the rules of the program as well as the rules of food group reintroductions, which I'll admit that I didn't really find much good info online when I first started the program. Perhaps that's changed now. Regardless, I found it helpful to have step-by-step suggestions for a successful reintroduction phase. The book has a fantastic balance of science, friendliness, and tough love. It's strict but encouraging, and the authors give us all the tools needed to make a successful Whole30. I loved the section on basic kitchen fundamentals – I thought I knew all that stuff, but I learned a few things. And I appreciated the authors making sure to cover every bit of ground so newcomers, especially people like me who hate cooking (and there is A LOT of cooking on the Whole30), don't feel lost or intimidated. They cover real-life scenarios like travelling for work, dining out, grocery shopping, professional athletes, pregnancy and nursing on the program, adapting its meat-heavy paleo-esque diet for vegetarian and vegan Whole30-ers. They include a fantastic recipe section that will definitely be a great help in switching up my usual health food fall-backs/ruts. I definitely recommend the book and the product to everyone, but especially those who are tired of being stuck in an unhealthy relationship with food or those who have chronic health issues and would like to free themselves from medication dependency.

I'm honestly not sure what to think about this book. It IS full of great recipes and (some) advice, but I'm not a huge fan of any eating plan / diet that can't be followed long-term. The book is at times written in a condescending tone some of the "rules" in the book didn't appeal to me. More on that later in the review. I knew I'd have a problem going cold turkey with everything at once, so this past September, I took one week cutting out gluten, the next week cutting out sugar and then began my third week (beginning of October) essentially cutting out all carbs and started the Whole 30. I stuck with it TO THE LETTER until Thanksgiving. I lost one pound. ONE pound. In a month and a half. And I felt no different than I had before the diet. No increase in energy, no other changes (and I'd made a list before I started). I *was* in ketosis (I know this because I had to go to an urgent care place for a UTI and they were initially alarmed at the keytone results). By the time Thanksgiving showed up, I truly had no motivation to continue the diet. I can't imagine doing rounds of this as some people do. I mean, the withdrawal from carbs, sugars, etc. over and over again? If I'm going to do it, I'd rather do that once and be done with it. The book's authors are adamant that you follow this diet perfectly for 30 days. If you screw up, even accidentally (someone serves you something with a "forbidden" ingredient), you're to start the diet all over again. I can't think of anything else more demotivating during a diet (well, other than not getting any results from it). The authors also insist that you don't try to create healthier alternatives to your non-healthy favorites (pancakes are used as an example in the book). I found this odd. If you love pancakes, and someone tells you to never have pancakes again -- even healthy ones -- you're going to spend the whole time craving pancakes and will ditch the diet in no time. I didn't agree with it being "okay" to do this diet for 30 days every few months but it not being okay to consistently choose healthy versions of your favorite foods. I kept the book because it IS a good resource for easy food prep and basic recipes. If you're looking for a basic diet that will improve your health and well being and you're ready to tough it out long term, check out The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged!: Lasting Fat Loss That's Better than Ever by Tosca Reno. Eat clean 80% of the time and don't beat yourself up about being perfect, and you'll find that you stick with it longer. If you're looking to lose weight and also want to re-create healthy versions of your favorite foods, check out any of the books in Lisa Lilllen's Hungry Girl series, like The Hungry Girl Diet: Big Portions. Big Results. Drop 10 Pounds in 4 Weeks . She's entertaining and has a great friend-next-door personality, too.

I absolutely love Thrift Books. The whole 30 was pristine.

Chegou antes do prazo, bem enbalado e em ótimo estado.

very difficult to follow the diet also dishes are not meant for indian audiance

This is the one diet book I can honestly say is a life changer. I am 71 and have struggled with my weight all my life, weighing a maximum of 103kg in 2002. I have achieved good results with low carbohydrate diets but I still love chocolate and creamy desserts. This summer I was enduring a lot of osteoporosis pain and was determined to get my weight down once and for all. During this 30 day programme I went from 70kg to 62kg. In brief, it teaches you not to substitute fake sugar for real sugar. I write this after several days of eating (not bingeing, like I always have) all the Xmas goodies I fancied and this morning I weigh 63kg.

AMAZING! Great recipes and all the information you need to reset your body. Really loving this. Highly recommend.

Ottimo!