Thirty Days of Whole30 Recipes – Day Three (2024)

FAQs

What is the hardest day on Whole30? ›

On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.

According to the official Whole30® website, once those 30 days are up, it's up to you to “carefully and systematically reintroduce those foods you've been missing”.

It can take several weeks before you learn to trust the “hungry” and “full” signals your body is sending you—and you may not have been eating enough in the beginning, because you were afraid of all that fat. Many Whole30'ers report that they didn't feel or see “the magic” until day 45, 60, or beyond.

Popular diets (i.e., Atkins and Whole30) instruct dieters to prepare for a “withdrawal” syndrome marked by headaches, fatigue, irritability, and cravings that follows the timeline of drug withdrawal (i.e., emerges in the first days after dietary change and peaks on Days 2–5).

Sure enough, I was up 2.6lbs “overnight.” It's water retention and the beginning of the infamous “my pants are tighter” phase of Whole30 as the body continues expelling all the junk and getting used to a new way of eating. Day 8ish is usually a bit of a digestive adventure, so we'll see where things go.

Whole30 has gained a reputation as an effective program for weight loss and overall health improvement. Many individuals have reported successful weight loss outcomes while following the Whole30 guidelines. One key aspect of the Whole30 program is the elimination of processed foods and added sugars.

Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.

Some downsides include Whole30 side effects like digestive problems, worsened food cravings, and reduced nutrient intake. The diet restricts certain foods and food groups, which, if followed long-term, can result in nutrient deficiencies.

The Whole30 diet isn't the best option for everyone. Before you try it, ask your doctor if it's right for you. Eating meat is a big part of this diet, so if you're a vegetarian or on a vegan diet, you might also want to avoid the Whole30 diet. It also restricts important nutrients you'd get from grains and legumes.

What about bananas? Yes, both pickles and bananas are allowed on Whole30. Yet if they are a potential trigger food for you (for instance, the sweetness of bananas sets off a craving for other treats or makes you want to binge on the fruit), then you may consider including them on your “don't eat” list.

Why am I so tired on Whole30? ›

If your energy isn't high or steady, your workouts are dragging, or your focus is meandering, it might be you're just not eating enough. Specifically, enough carbohydrate. It's really common for people to under-eat on the Whole30, and it tends to catch up with them towards the end of the second week (or in the third).

“As well, you're not supposed to weigh yourself or take any measurements during the 30 days.” The idea behind this approach is to reset your metabolism and digestive tract. According to some research studies, elimination diets like Whole30 can be an effective tool to help some people with gastrointestinal issues.

Day 10 & 11 – The Hardest Days

These days are notoriously the hardest days on Whole30 because you've gone through almost two weeks of the program, but haven't seen any of the benefits yet. We've both watched as friends/coworkers ate cookies & bread, and had to turn it down and explain the program.

Whole30. If you're used to eating a traditional low-fiber American diet—meaning not many fruits, veggies, and whole grains and lots of sugar and processed carbs—switching to this veggie-heavy diet may trigger diarrhea, Upton said.

“Tiger Blood means that chunk of brain and emotion that was always worrying about monitoring myself to make sure my blood sugar didn't bottom out and my pain level didn't explode is suddenly free to deal with normal day-to-day challenges that used to keep me exhausted.

In the first week or so on the Whole30 diet, your body is adjusting, physically and psychologically, which can lead to needing some major down-time. Around day six is when exhaustion and cravings typically hit their hardest, Hartwig says. That's because your body has been so reliant on using sugar, not fat, for energy.

Here's the rule in a nutshell: If you think your less healthy treat is going to be so delicious, so incredible, so worth it, and then you take your first bite and discover it's not… STOP EATING.

During the month-long elimination period, no cheating is allowed. It's recommended that you start the challenge over if you get off track. The founders claim that strict adherence to the diet allows your body to reset in isolation from certain foods that may cause inflammation, gut disruptions, or hormone imbalances.