[Don't over think this.]

1 hour ago, Jim Baunach said:

I'm confused.  If it is recommended to follow the meal template, why isn't it just made a rule?  Portioning is not a rule.

Portioning is not a rule because portioning is a very individual thing.  The recommendations are based on lots of people having done Whole30s and what has been the most effective. 

Dude, you're also telling a moderator they're wrong. Just don't. There is no Rule limiting fruit intake, but there are Recommendations. Based on what has been observed to work best for most people. Most people are addicted to sugar and their body isn't going to care if the sugar comes from cherries or chocolate when it's having a craving. Best way to crush the sugar addiction is to cut out the sugar, wherever it comes from. Hence recommending less fruit. 

[Headaches]

46 minutes ago, megbeveridge said:

I'm also having headaches (day 8), but I think after reading this I understand part of the problem. I've been bringing more fruits than vegetables to work for my mid-morning meal (I have breakfast super early so I need something before lunch) and lunch. I also picked up some Rx bars for emergencies like extreme low blood sugar after climbing, but have used them as snacks to get me through until dinner. Today I brought more veggies and haven't eaten a bar so my blood sugar is probably way low after yesterday's spike. 

For my meals I've been having: Eggs and a vegetable or fruit (tomatoes, sweet potato, avocado, banana, or apple) for breakfast; fruit (grapes or strawberries, apricot) and nuts (almonds or cashews) mid-morning; a big spinach and romaine salad with carrots, cucumbers or snow peas, and strawberries with homemade lemon-vinegar dressing for lunch; occasional Rx bar; a protein (fish or chicken), vegetable (green beans, brussels sprouts, kale), and starch (sweet potato or yellow potato) for dinner; occasionally a few pieces of mango if I eat dinner early.

Clearly I've been eating way too much fruit! Is there anything I'm missing that I may be substituting with fruit?

You don't seem to have a lot of fat in those meals. Just cut out some of the fruit and add more veggies. Also, check and make sure you're drinking enough water (roughly 1/2 oz per lb bodyweight). 

[Headaches]

12 hours ago, CDog said:

Snacking on this food is NOT contributing to the headache. That is a thoughtless/brainwashed statement. What your body needs is nutrition and a balanced diet.... It's time to stop listening to people and start listening to our bodies. This "non-diet" diet does not work for most people. That's why it was rated as the worst fad diet of the year by health experts!!

Also, dude, that list of "worst diets" was a list of "worst diets for weight loss". Absolutely nowhere is Whole30 advertised as a weight loss plan. In fact, it's regularly mentioned that it's not. Lots of people do lose weight on a Whole30 because by giving the body better quality food and not a free pass to snack (lots of those "weight loss plans" basically have you eating little bits of food constantly), folks lose some weight. 

Blood sugar spikes can cause headaches. What causes blood sugar spikes? Sugary foods, whether it's a Snickers or a Larabar. 

Most folks don't know how to listen to their bodies without some guidance. I had no idea that legumes were what made me feel like death warmed up until I did a Whole30 with the proper reintroductions. I wouldn't have had a framework to figure out what was making me feel bad if it wasn't for the Whole30. 

[UK "E Numbers" to avoid]

I'm staring down a packet of bacon with e252 and e250, but guessing from this thread that this is ok to get! Thanks guys - just starting out!

 

Those E numbers are for nitrates/nitrites which are acceptable. If you can find one without them though...