Monday, 03 January 2022
EAT
A simple and effective way to jump start your nutrition in 2022 is The Whole30!
What is the Whole30?
The Whole30 is a structured elimination protocol. During the elimination phase, participants omit added sugar, alcohol, grains, most legumes, and most forms of dairy for 30 days. During the 10-14 day reintroduction, participants reintroduce each food group one by one to determine whether or not they contribute to negative symptoms. (Following reintroduction, Whole30 offers guidance on using those learnings to create a personalized and sustainable food freedom plan.)
As with other elimination diets, the Whole30 is not recommended to be followed long-term. It is used to help an individual customize a nutrition plan that works for their unique body, based on the knowledge gained during elimination and reintroduction.
Think about the Whole30 like a science experiment:
1. You have a hypothesis that certain food(s) you’re eating may be contributing to symptoms
2. You do the Whole30, eliminating foods that are commonly problematic for your symptoms
3. You then reintroduce the foods you’ve eliminated, and compare how you feel
4. You apply the information you’ve gained from the experiment to your food freedom
What are the benefits of the Whole30?
Elimination protocols eliminate foods that are commonly known to cause inflammation or symptoms such as GI distress (bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea), skin irritation (eczema, psoriasis, acne), headaches or migraines, seasonal allergies, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, and joint pain or swelling, among others. The Whole30 also eliminates foods that commonly contribute to sugar cravings and a dysfunctional relationship with food.
The process not only helps you identify the foods that may be having a negative effect in your body, it can also bring about general improvements in energy, sleep, focus, mood, and self-confidence. The program is designed to reset your “normal,” giving you a new baseline for what it means to feel good and perform optimally.