Bec's Whole30

[RCambrell]

I'm starting tomorrow, 11th June 2014.

 

This is a take 2 on my journey to better health or maybe it's just a continuation and I hit a bump in the road.

 

Since having my second child (who is now 5 ½ years old) I have identified that I have a major problem with refined sugar and carbs. Particularly the refined sugars, once I have a little I just can't get enough. To the point that when I go to the supermarket I buy a bag of Allen's party mix (sneaking it in if I'm with the kids) and eat the entire packet in one sitting. It doesn't make me feel good or give me happy feelings. I am riddled with guilt and feel sick part way through the bag (which I binge eat until all gone). But then it's all I can think about until I have some more. I think of ways I can eat more without the kids or my husband seeing me, and this makes it a problem for 2 reasons, 1) I don't have an off switch for refined sugar and 2) I'm hiding the problems from those I love most.  So now it's time to fix the problem once and for all.

 

Back at the beginning of the year I read, "It Starts with Food†and it changed my thinking and reinforced that natural foods, free from additives and chemicals were the way to go. I attempted a Whole30 but it this was at Easter and while I did really well for about a week (just over) my will power didn't hold and I started sneaking chocolate at night while cooking healthy dinners for me and my family and it all went down hill. So tomorrow I will start that journey again this time with a resolve to stick to it for the 30 days. I am in general eating better then when I started that first Whole30 but the sweet treats, lollies, ice-cream, chips etc are sneaking back in. My skin is unbelievably itchy and I am gaining weight feeling more tired and run down and increasingly irritable.

 

I never thought I had any addictions until recently. I've never smoked, gambled or drunken alcohol regularly but I admit that shaking sugar has been really hard.

 

The carbs haven't been so bad, I gave them up during my first attempt at a Whole30 and haven't really gone back to them something I never thought I'd say. You see I love pasta but have found I don't miss it that much. My fav dishes being spag bol and lasagna but I've found I'm happy to have the bol sauce on a salad or with zucchini noodles (I'm not into the substitute noodles you can get like Slim Pasta) and I've found the same with lasagna (happy to replace the pasta with veggies like the one from Eat Drink Paleo http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/show-off-paleo-lasagna/).

 

So a few things I think I did wrong last time I attempted a Whole30.

1. I didn't embrace the bone broth. From what I can work out this helps to make you feel full and increase protein and other goodness in meals and most people who stray on Whole30 haven't included these in their meals.
2. I gave into my sugar cravings at the first
3. I didn't fully meal plan. I had a general idea of what I was allowed to eat and kind of just winged it. I have so very many cookbooks and access to some great sites online that I can utilize to make sure I don't stray.

[Tom Denham]

Welcome back!

 

The slim pasta, slim noodles, slim rice range of foods that are on sale various places are NOT Whole30 approved. They are fake foods that fail Whole30 standards and should not be consumed by anyone doing a Whole30. We want you to eat real, nutritious food, not idiotic no-calorie diet food. Thanks for alerting me to the fact that the marketers behind these "slim" foods have been encroaching on Whole30 territory with their sales pitches. 

 

Bone broth is good, but is not the secret to succeeding with a Whole30, especially if you are using it to "feel" full when you are not. The real secret to Whole30 success is eating enough food to be genuinely nourished and satisfied. Many people do not eat enough while doing a Whole30 and this sets them up to crave snacks and off plan foods. There is little or no protein in bone broth. The good of bone broth is minerals and such that are good for bones and gut health. 

[GlenG]

Best of luck this time around! My sweet tooth was dead by day 3 for sure, on day 8 today, and I still don't have those cravings anymore. Now I crave cheese.

[RCambrell]

Day1

 

Have woken up (by my son) at 6:30am. Eaten Meal 1 while getting ready for the day. Meal 2 will be eaten at work and I have just realised I need to go shopping as no vegetables or meat left in the house. Yikes great start to the first day. Meal 3 will be later than usual as have a function at school where food is provided but wont be Whole30 compliant stuff so will have to wait until I get home, but on the plus side this gives me time to go shopping.

 

Meal 1

1 tblspn ghee

2 eggs,

2 pieces of bacon

a handful of baby spinach

1/2 a zucchini

avocado

scrambled all together

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Snack

cup of black tea (Lady Grey)

 

Meal 2

Bolognese sauce

a few handfuls of baby spinach

1/2 cucumber

 

Snack

cup of peppermint tea

Bananna

 

Meal 3

Meatballs at the event

Big bowl of salad at home

 

Tom, I don't think the slim pasta was marketing to Whole30 I tried it when I was just trying to eat better, but it is made from a vegetable so if I had of liked it I might have thought I could eat it on Whole30. Thankfully I didn't like it.

 

Glen, I not sure I was craving chocolate when I caved last time, it was easter and there was just so much of it in the house (2 kids got heaps). I ended up using it in baking which I sold at a stall for school just to get it out of the house. But off Whole30 I definately started craving it all over again.

[RCambrell]

Day 2

 

Slept like a log last night. Not sure if this has anything to do with the Whole30 or that I am coming down with the influenza virus that my daughter has had for the past week and a half. Today was crazy busy. Didn't wake up until 7am so breakfast was a rush. Dropped hubby off at local train station, then sick daughter off at Grandparents (1hr away), then back to my side of city to take son to a speciailst, then drop him off at school and off to work (close to where daughter is being cared for). Then I had to rush back to pick son up from aftercare at school before they closed in crazy peak hour traffic. (I normally finish in time to collect kids from school but with sick kids and doctor appointments I've had to change hours around a bit the last few weeks).

 

I've got a headach today, again not sure if this is  my body adapting to Whole30 or the influenza. I'll be off to bed early in any case.

 

Meal 1

1 tblspn ghee

2 eggs,

a handful of baby spinach

4 button mushrooms

1/2 a zucchini

avocado

scrambled all together

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Meal 2

Apple

1/2 Avocado

a handful of baby spinach

4 button mushrooms

Can of tuna

 

Snack

Peppermint tea

nut and seed mix

 

Meal 3

Steak

sausage

Sweet potato mash

carrots

green beans

broccoli

[RCambrell]

Day 3

 

My daughter is still sick so taking her to doctors this morning almost 2 weeks of this influenza, horrible stuff.

 

I slept 9 hours last night and still feel like I might be getting the flu. Only woke up because my husband came and woke me to get ready for the day.

 

Feeling very dehydrated this morning. Will make sure to drink plenty of water over the day.

 

Also feeling very bloated (& hungry) today. and can't forget the gas.

 

Meal 1

1 tblspn coconut oil

3 eggs, (read on someone elses log that you should have as many as you can hold in one hand)

a handful of baby spinach

4 button mushrooms

1/2 a zucchini

1/2 avocado

scrambled all together

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Snack

handful of grapes and blueberries

black tea (Lady Grey)

 

Meal 2

mixed lettuce

carrot

avocado

Can of tuna

 

Snack

Peppermint tea

nut and seed mix

 

Meal 3

Hoki fillet

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Green beans

Carrotts

2 eggs

[RCambrell]

Day 4

Didn't sleep well last night but my Mum stayed over and she had to leave early so think I was conscious of that.

Still feeling really hungry, bloated and have lots of gas.

Meal 1
1 tblspn coconut oil
3 eggs
a handful of baby spinach
2 button mushrooms
zucchini
6 cherry tomatoes
scrambled all together

Latte made with coconut milk (forgot to soak nuts for my almond milk and all the ones at local supermarket had somesort of sweetener)

Meal 2

Thai Beef Curry  (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

 

Snack

Peppermint tea

nut and seed mix

Glass of coconut water

 

Meal 3

Thai Beef Curry  (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

with spinach leaves

 

Had made some cookie dough balls for the family and managed to avoid eating any (HUGE win for me). Trying to get Miss 7 to eat anything at the moment is hard (after 2 weeks of influenza) so I will give her anything she likes until her appetite is back. (Must find a better way to make these after I finish Whole30 so that I can share them too).

[RCambrell]

Day 5

Late night last night, i was up working until 11, and early morning wake up from Mr 5 (5:15am), so a wee bit tired this morning.

Bloating still present but gas seems to have subsided. Skin is feeling less itchy, but still itchy (not sure I mentioned before but my skin had gotten really itchy which was a major catalist for doing Whole30).

 

Had an afternoon nap on the couch. Must have needed that.

Meal 1
Banana
4 Strawberries
mixed dried berries
slithered almonds

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Snack
Black tea

Meal 2
3 sausages
Garden salad with avocado

Snack
Fruit and nut mix
Coconut water

 

Meal 3

Slow cook roast pork shoulder

roasted pumpkin

roasted sweet potato

roasted carrot

roasted brussel sprouts

broccoli

green beans

[Kmlynne]

Looking good so far! Glad you upped your eggs in the am. Only suggestion (ie the gas) is to cut out raw veg for a little bit - it can cause gas in some people.

Good luck on your journey

[RCambrell]

Day 6

Yesterday I started thinking about chocolate and other such things I shouldn't be eating and I am still thinking about them today. So just want to go eat some. But I know I will feel horrible if I do. I'm doing so well so far.

 

Feeling so tired today.

 

Meal 1

Thai Beef Curry  (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Meal 2

Leftover roast pork w/ broccoli and green beans

 

Snack

Fruit and nut mix
Coconut water

Banana

 

Meal 3

Cauliflower fried rice from Well Fed (less the coconut aminos as I'm still waiting on delivery from USA) also with left over roast pork rather than the chinese fried pork.

[RCambrell]

Day 7

Really think I've caught my daughter's flu. Ears hurt so so very tired. Super early night tonight.

 

Also have a really dry throat so have been drinking lots of water.

 

Meal 1

Left over Cauliflower fried rice from Well Fed with 2 eggs fried in Ghee

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Snack

Black tea

 

Meal 2

Thai Beef Curry  (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

Pear

 

Snack

apple

fruit and nut mix

peppermint tea

 

Meal 3

Taco meat with garden salad.

[RCambrell]

Day 8

Just really tired today, even though I had nearly 11hrs sleep.

 

Meal 1

Left over Cauliflower fried rice from Well Fed with 2 eggs fried in Ghee

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Snack

Peppermint tea

Black tea

 

Meal 2

Taco meat with garden salad.

 

Snack

apple

fruit and nut mix

peppermint tea

 

Meal 3

Beef steak

sweet potato mash

steamed vegetables

 

Peppermint tea

[Kmlynne]

I noticed that you have a snack every day.  Is this something that you are used to having?  or are you hungry?

 

If you are hungry - could you eat broccoli and steamed fish?  If not, try to figure out another reason you might think you are hungry.  If you are truly hungry enough to have broccoli and fish, have a mini meal (1/2protien, 1/2 fat, 1/2 veg) instead of the nut and fruit mix).  

 

If you are getting hungry before dinner, also try upping your fat in your lunch.  The goal is to eat three meals a day without getting hungry in between.

 

Another thought - if it is your "sugar dragon" leading you to having a snack, you are unwittingly feeding it by giving it fruit in a meal on its own.  Try incorporating your fruit into your regular meals.

[MissWolvie]

Hello Bec, well done on making it to Day 8 - over a week already! I'm following a few days behind you and also got the comment about increasing eggs on my log, it must be a common mistake and suggestion. 

 

I'd like to echo Kmlynne's comment about your snacks, as you seem to still be eating the type of snacks that would be recommended on a normal low-fat or 'healthy eating' diet. Dried fruit and nuts can be lovely in moderation, but I think that having them by themselves (or even the fresh fruit and veg) without any protein or other fat could be an issue. Could you take a hard-boiled egg as an emergency snack? 

[RCambrell]

Thanks Kmlynne and MissWolvie. I have fruit/nuts in the afternoon because I'm generally too full after Meals 1, 2 & 3 to have them with the meals but I am getting a bit hungry around 3-4pm. I enjoy fruit and am trying to keep some in my diet each day.

 

I thought the nuts covered off the protein and I'm not sure I can face eating anymore eggs, this is way over what I would normally eat of egg and meat products as it is.

 

Most lunches and breakfast I'm having a whole avocado not really sure about how else to increase the fat at those meals anymore. 

 

I guess I can try and include some of the fruit at meal times but this would mean reducing meal sizes as I'm generally full at meal time it's just that mid afternoon time that I get hungry. 

 

I will try without for a few days and see how I go.

[RCambrell]

Day 9

 

Stuffed today but another late night and still feeling a bit off. No longer think I've got my daughters influenza but rather that my 5 year old son and I have caught colds. We both have very similar symptoms (Sore throat/ears, cough and running/blocked noses). I just wish I was starting to feel the benefits of all of this. 

 

Have been craving the old junk foods, particularly potato chips and the like. 

 

Meal 1

Left over Cauliflower fried rice from Well Fed with 3 eggs fried in Ghee

 

Latte made with homemade almond milk

 

Snack

Black tea

 

Meal 2

Taco meat with garden salad.

Strawberries

 

Meal 3

Minced pork and vegetable stew (with pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, green beans, tomato paste, canned tomatoes and pizza seasoning (from Well Fed))

[RCambrell]

Day 10

Having a tough time with cravings (Chocolate and carbs and ice cream and sugar - all the baddies), but determined not to crave this time. I'm 1/3rd of the way through. Still feeling the cold/flu/whatever that I've had since the beginning but soildering on and trying to have early nights.

Meal 1 (have a friday tradition of breakfast with another mum from school)

2 poached eggs

2 pieces bacon

mushrooms

avocado

dukka

Latte made with homemade almond milk (I take my own almond milk, the cafe is happy to use it)

Snack (breakfast wasn't enough, we went for a long walk)

small serve of left over minced pork and vegetable stew with some left over cauliflower fried rice

Lunch

Left over minced pork and vegetable stew with spinach

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Dinner

Chicken breastfeeding grilled with ghee

Spinach

Avocado

Cucumber

Broccoli

Carrot

Alana's pantry spicy Mexico "smokey Chipotle, tomate & paprika sauce" (this was really spicy so added coconut cream)

Coconut cream

Snack

Peppermint tea

Mixed nut and fruit

[RCambrell]

Day 11

Its the weekend and I just put my jeans on (which had gotten a bit tight) and they are a bit less tight. YAY.

Meal 1

A fry up of 1 bunch asparagus, 4 Brussel sprouts, 1 zucchini and 3 eggs with 1 avocado (Couldn't quiet eat it all)

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 2

Lunch was a bit late today as we were out celebrating Midsummer (in Winter) and the place didn't have anything I could eat.

Left over minced pork and vegetable stew

Banana

Meal 3

Left over minced pork and vegetable stew

Mixed nut and fruit

handful of grapes

[RCambrell]

Day 12

Wasn't very hungry this morning. Think I have read similar posts from others on here. Also couldn't face the idea of eggs again today. Unfortunately by the time I'd had chance to think about we had to leave for a 1 year old birthday so I went without.

Meal 1

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 2

Thai Chicken Curry (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

1/2 punnet strawberries

1 banana

Meal 3

Cinnamon beef stew (http://theclothesmakethegirl.com/2010/02/02/greek-beef-stew/)

Sweet potato mash

Carrots

Pumpkin

1/2 punnet strawberries

1 banana

Coconut cream

[Kmlynne]

some of my "go-to" proteins include:  smoked salmon (watch for added sugar), smoked oysters, tinned sardines/tuna/salmon, proscuitto, precooked sausages (ie aidells chicken apple sausage)....  there are lots of precooked protein options!

 

doing great without the snacks - if you are truly hungry (could eat fish and broccoli) in the afternoon, have a mini meal (protein, fat and veg)  - for example, tinned tuna with homemade mayo and some carrot sticks or cucumber slices.

 

doing well....  almost half way there!

[RCambrell]

Thanks Kmlynne. I have to laugh whenever I ready the "Could eat fish and broccoli" as broccoli is my fav vegetable and it is put into most of our meals and we also eat a lot of fish (strangely though not since I started Whole30).

 

I think I am generally getting over animal protein. Need to find some Whole30 compliant Vegetarian dishes to mix it up a bit I think.

[RCambrell]

Day 13

Meal 1

Left over Cinnamon beef stew (http://theclothesmak...reek-beef-stew/), Sweet potato mash, Carrots, Pumpkin

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 2

Left over Thai Chicken Curry (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food)

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 3

Cauliflower soup (http://theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/10/24/golden-cauliflower-soup/)

Banana, strawberries and grapes

[RCambrell]

Day 14

My hubby has now been sick for 4 days and this time I think I've caught it badly. Sore chest with mucusy cough, light headed and ranging between hot and freezing.

Decided to try soup for breakfast this morning. Not sure if it was because I had soup for dinner last night but was so hungry after the soup that I then tried to eat a tuna salad and just couldn't manage it. So grabbed a few piece of fruit to eat on the drive to the kids school and then work.

Meal 1

Zucchini soup (http://theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/11/05/silky-gingered-zucchini-soup/)

a few bites of a tuna salad

Banana

apple

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Snack

Black tea

Peppermint tea

Meal 2

Left over Pork and veg stew

Garden salad w/avocado

Meal 3

Leftover zucchini soup (yes I've caught hubby's virus)

[RCambrell]

Day 15

Feeling horrible today. Slept from 9pm until 12pm. Not feeling hungry today and so far only managed soup.

Really want a hot chocolate, but half way don't want to have to restart.

Meal 1

Left over zucchini soup

Latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 2

Peach

Coconut water

Meal 3

Left over Thai Chicken Curry (made using the Master recipe from It Start with Food) (could only manage a little bit)

Fruit and nut mix

Coconut water

Strawberries and banana

[RCambrell]

Day 16

Still feeling very unwell. No appetite, dizzy, cough, headache.

Meal 1

2 fried eggs

Leftover taco salad

latte made with homemade almond milk

Meal 2

Handful of grapes

Meal 3

Spinach

Bolognase sauce

Spinach

Peach

Coconut water