ISWF or The Whole30 Book?

[ItsMeMeg]

I'm sorry if this has been asked elsewhere; I've searched and can't find it. I'm actually on day three and sucking down the content on this website, but I need to get out and buy the books. Do I need both It Starts With Food and The Whole30? I read that there's considerable overlap between the two. If I only need one, which one? And if I need both, then which one first?

 

Thanks!

[GFChris]

It depends on what you're looking for.

 

It Starts With Food gives all the science details of the why of the Whole30 rules, and has a high level how to do a Whole30 and reintroductions.

 

The Whole30 book gives lots of details on how to do a Whole30, and has lots more recipes than ISWF.

[ItsMeMeg]

Thanks. That's very helpful. I will read Whole30 first I guess, then backfill with the other. The rationale behind the rules will help me stick with them.

[Mistyfire]

Thanks. That's very helpful. I will read Whole30 first I guess, then backfill with the other. The rationale behind the rules will help me stick with them.

That's what I did. Used Whole30 back in June when I did my first. Now I'm reading ISWF as I do my second one. In the first I just took the why at face value and focused on the how. Now as I look at making healthy eating a core value in my life, I want the more in depth understanding. There's so much to learn that I'm enjoying doing it in layers.

[QuilterInVA]

I read both of them before I started. I love the science part and I always need recipes. Then I found Well Fed, Well Fed 2, and Nom Nom Paleo and I'm loving it.

[katmyers]

Hi all, 

 

I'm planning on starting the Whole30 in the next few days, but am confused on which book to start with? Do I start with Whole30 or It Starts with Food?

Let me know which would be best, or even if there is a preference to one over the other.

 

Thanks!

[ShannonM816]

The Whole30 book is a how-to book for how to do the Whole30, with recipes and tips for cooking and food prep and a lot of what to expect through your 30 days. It Starts With Food is an explanation of the science behind the program. It has the rules for Whole30 and a few recipes, but mostly it's focused on explaining why the rules are what they are.

 

Both are good books, I'd recommend reading them both at some point, but which one to start with depends on what you think will be most useful for you at this point. If you need to know the why behind it in order to stick to it, go with ISWF. If you just want the how to do it and some excellent recipes, get Whole30.

[ladyshanny]

Ha, as I was merging this, Shannon answered.  

 

Note, I have merged your question with a thread of exactly the same name that has several responses you might find helpful.

[kasipatrick]

I was going to ask something similar. I have both books. I want to start asap. So I guess it would be okay to read Whole 30, get started, then read up on the science behind it?

[Crastney]

I bought ISWF for my wife for her birthday, and then W30 for me afterwards, but she hasn't read it yet, and has this thing about other people reading books before she has done - so I haven't read ISWF yet (shh I have read bits of it while she wasn't looking  - don't tell!).  I've read most of W30, but not in order or in one go, just dipped in and out depending on what I was after, a recipe or more details on why/how.