kayell

It would be a really good idea for him to see a doctor with those symptoms. Doing a W30 can lead to lower blood pressure, so his medication may need to be changed. That's just one of many possibilities.
We're not doctors and for something that affects vision etc. that's who you need.

The Korean version are actually made from real sweet potatoes*, not konjac. It's really confusing because konjac gets called yam, and then that gets mistranslated to sweet potato. If it's a Japanese noodle, it's almost certainly konjac. Korean not. Another way to tell is that the Korean sweet potato noodles typically cook into so-called glass or cellophane noodles. Still NOT real food or W30 food, but less likely to destroy your innards.
*As above after lots of processing.

Another problem with packaged iced teas is how the teas are made. Packaged teas are typically brewed in large batches than spray dried...meaning, they are blown by hot gases until most of the liquid (largely water) evaporates and a powder of the tea remains. This process creates an unfavorable change in how the tea tastes.
An artificial additive called maltodextrin is often added to the tea powder. Maltodextrin is essentially a set of simple sugars made from processing the heck out of corn starch. It serves two purposes...one is to provide just enough sweetness to the palate to balance off any acrid taste that was accrued by the spray drying of tea. The second is to facilitate mixing the tea in cold water. Maltodextrin sucks up water in to its molecules like a sponge, literally, which helps the tea blend in water.
The maltodextrin additives provide a particular issue for diabetics as it is absorbed like glucose. And because food manufacturers are essentially allowed by the FDA to tell little white lies about calorie and carb content, it is included in teas (and other products) that may say zero calorie or zero carb on the label. Certainly, there are not a lot of carbs in the unsweetened iced tea -- it is, after all, supposed to taste like unsweetened tea -- they are nonetheless there. They create a glycemic index where there doesn't have to be one.

The Korean version are actually made from real sweet potatoes*, not konjac. It's really confusing because konjac gets called yam, and then that gets mistranslated to sweet potato. If it's a Japanese noodle, it's almost certainly konjac. Korean not. Another way to tell is that the Korean sweet potato noodles typically cook into so-called glass or cellophane noodles. Still NOT real food or W30 food, but less likely to destroy your innards.
*As above after lots of processing.

One of the many reasons I started the Whole30 this month was to get better control of my blood sugar. My fasting levels were consistently 105-110, pre-diabetic. It only took 8 days on the Whole30 for my fasting blood sugar levels to drop to 85. Yippee!!

Mallory,
So you (and everyone) knows our perspective...
Carrageenan is a concentrated, refined seaweed extract used to thicken processed foods, and is found in everything from deli meat to yogurt to chocolate. Carrageenan is significantly inflammatory if it gets into the body, which can happen with increased gut permeability. (Carrageenen is actually used in laboratory studies to create inflammation.) Furthermore, carrageenan may be degraded to components which can cross even a healthy gut barrier, even in tiny amounts.
This makes it potentially nasty stuff; therefore it's out for the Whole30. We caution folks not to fall into the "it's natural" trap, as there are plenty of unhealthy substances that start off as a plant!
Best,
Melissa

This is so true. I had half a Korean sweet potato (the starchy ones) last night and it tasted almost too sweet. Others confirmed ordinary sweet potato flavor. Eating this way wakes your taste buds up.

I would not be happy with sardine breath in my bed at 2am

everytime this thread pops up as updated in my feed I get really hungry.

Hey Lauren,
Let me just say that I personally LOVE me some chipotle! It can definitely come in handy when you are in a pinch for food away from home or you want to suggest a place to eat among friends who may not be as into healthy eating as you are. That being said, you are RIGHT, everything they cook is soybean oil based...even if you got the carnitas, the peppers and onions are still sauteed in soybean oil.
To avoid the soybean oil you could do the romaine lettuce, carnitas, guacamole, and pico. Double the meat and maybe even the guacamole too.

Before you post a question that starts with, "Can I have (insert food/drink/condiment here)," please follow these quick steps.

1. Read this article, where we summarize the most common "Can I have" questions and answers! http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/ If your food or beverage isn't listed there, then...
2. Search this forum! (Google is the easiest way, simply google 'whole30 + item') Chances are, someone has asked the question before. If not...

3. Post your question here, making sure the subject line includes the item in question. (Ex: subject, "Can I have kombucha?") (Include as much detail in your post including ingredients you would like to check as possible)

Thanks for participating - and best of luck on your Whole30!
Melissa, Dallas and the Whole9 team

That is a darn good question, pdc4. I wonder about that too - like, do I need to stay clear of product with that "natural flavoring" in the ingredients. Drives me nuts. I always think that means I should stay away. When in doubt, I put it back on the shelfy.