In-between whole30s

[mgm612]

Hi! I'll be finishing my second whole30 next week and was wondering what people have had the best success with in between whole30s? I was very slow/careful about reintroduction last time and plan to stick to a mostly whole30 way of eating this time around, but am considering adding certain things like almond milk. Are there other foods that people find don't wreck their progress? Any tips for success in between? Thank you!

[GFChris]

It depends on what specific foods bother you or are psychological triggers for you.

 

For me, I keep all the stuff that bothers me out of my house: grains, dairy, legumes, except for the once in a while I make a gluten-free banana bread.

Wine, I love, but drink significantly less of it since doing a Whole30.  I like not having the stomach bloat that goes with it.

Chocolate, also love. Now I only have quality dark chocolate sporadically, and I only have it in the house when I have company.  Otherwise, it's food without brakes for me.

 

At other people's homes or dining out, I'm militant about being gluten-free (diagnosed as gluten-sensitive 8+ years ago), and then on the non-gluten grains, dairy, or legumes if it's really special or unique, I make a judgment call whether eating it is worth it.

 

Those are my "riding my own bike" rules - take whatever works for you.

 

[GlennR]

I eat almost exclusively Whole30 at home and at work (with brown bag meals). I don't even stock noncompliant ingredients in my kitchen (or hardly any). I offroad only when eating out, when I can't avoid going off-plan, when it's too much of a bother to insist on making my meal compliant, or when it's a special occasion or special food that's worth the offroading. Works for me.

 

Almond milk is actually not noncompliant (assuming you buying compliant or making it yourself). Assuming you're not planning to guzzle it like water, it's okay for creaming your coffee, adding as a recipe ingredient, etc.

[kirkor]

I did W30 in October and then again last month. I maintained a "no sugar, no alcohol" policy until the week of Christmas, and that really helped keep me on a good path over the holiday season.

For me, when I choose to forego a certain type of food, it works best to simply make it not an option, rather than try to moderate. That way there's no question of if I'm going to have "just one more", no inner debate when I'm at the grocery store, etc. Intermittent fasting has worked well for me, and I'm sure it has a lot to do with this aspect of my personality.

[mgm612]

Thank you so much! That was sort of my plan, but it's always good to hear feedback.