WholeJenna Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Hi All, I've successfully completed my first week of a Whole30. By successful, I've stuck with the eating plan, not cheating at all on banned foods, and not making paleo-fied food. Because I've removed a lot of my "comfort" foods {chocolate, cheese and tortilla chips}, I've realized I have increased my reliance on Whole30-approved items -- specifically, coffee and dates. Upon reflecting on this reliance, I realize I have an unhealthy relationship with these two items. Coffee gives me so much energy but also makes me jittery and anxious. Once I have one cup, I seem to have a few more cups throughout the day, especially when I feel hungry or when I have cravings. Dates are so sweet that I feel like I am having dessert. So, my question is two-fold: I would love to hear from anyone who has expereinced these unhealthy psychological responses to these type things (especially the coffee) and what you did??? Did you decide to give up coffee cold turkey? Did you decide to ban dried fruits, etc. to stick with the spirit of the Whole30? Anyone's personal story involving this type of struggle and consequent successes would be greatly appreciated :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmary Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 It kind of depends how and when you are using these. Personally, I wouldn't eat dates on a whole30 except in the context of a savory recipe (there is a great one in practical paleo with shortribs, tomatoes, garlic and a few dates). If you are eating dates as a snack or dessert or blended into coffee (!) it would be best to stop doing that for the rest of your 30 days. On coffee, I would avoid drinking so much that it makes you jittery or has impact on appetite or sleep. Some people can have one cup without those impacts, but if you are not one of those people it would be smart to change to tea or something that has less negative impact on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivelyLady Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 During my first W30 I found I absolutely had to ban fruit, nuts, and those overly sweet delicious concoctions of the two. I was binging on them as if they were pure sugar. (Ahem...) It sounds like some similar rules might help you better overcome your sugar dragon. I'm not a moderator, so take this next part with a grain of salt and the total compassion behind it. Part of me wants to say that maybe for the first week, transgressing with dates might not be your worst thing as you adjust to this program. HOWEVER, the OTHER part of me (the part that has been around the block with this stuff) wants to point out that doing so will only prolong your cravings and messed up relationship with certain flavors. SO it does come down to how do you want to feel, mentally, during the first few weeks and during the whole thing. Like you're constantly fighting a sugar-demon battle for a whole month, or more strongly at first while you white-nuckle through the cravings, knowing you'll come out stronger on the other side. Nobody can answer that but you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WholeJenna Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Thank you! I do agree with both of you that dates/fruits should be totally banned until I slay the sugar dragon. Coffee, too, I have decided to ban because I have an unhealthy relationship with it. It is a drink-without-brakes for me. :-) Thank you for your help ladies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wholemango Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I can totally relate to this!! I "tried" to do Whole30 on my own a few months ago and I found myself eating way too much almond or cashew butter and going through a thing of dates in 3 days and basically feeling like I had replaced my granola and dry cereal snacks with dates. I told myself it was ok because they had lots of fiber, ha. I don't have dates in the house now and I'm trying to keep the nuts/nut butters to 1-2 servings a day and it has to accompany a meal. My plan to overcome my awful relationship with the nuts/nut butters and dates is to ensure I am sticking to 3 meals/day. When I make a real meal I don't have as much room for nuts/nut butter. I was eating dates/nuts/nut butters as a snack food. Although I'm very active I've always been a big snacker and a small meal person, always hungry for my next snack. I knew I had a problem with nuts/nut butters because I can't stand to run out and I always know the status of how much is in the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NadineW Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 You only know if you have a problem with dates if you are not willing to throw them out and walk away. They aren't that great for the whole 30 anyway. I would include it as part of diet preparation and getting rid of foods that are off plan. As for the coffee, I was a huge diet coke addict before the whole 30, I just finished yesterday. It took me a week to get over the cravings, and I had major headaches. I also loved coffee but stopped drinking that too. It really opened my eyes as to how much diet soda is poison and it is bad for all of us. I found out this last month how I have lived my life with food as a reward for just about everything. But honestly now that its done, I don't feel like anything is done. I feel so much better I am in no hurry to go back to the way I ate before. I suggest you dig in your heals and really give all you have to your new way of eating. Go all in! Your health will thank you later. Remember why you began the whole 30. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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