Lake Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 I would really appreciate a validation from a moderator or Melissa about whether my 13 days in won't count (meaning I have to start over). I've searched the forums, but I get some conflicting senses of what's okay or not okay. In one place I read that taking one bite of something means you have to start over. Then I read that we need to take it easy on ourselves and expect that it's not perfect, etc. Therefore, I'm asking for guidance/recommendations/verifications for the following mistakes I've recently discovered that I've made. Carrageenan - I discovered recently that my toothpaste has carrageenan. When I research online, there is a LOT of differing opinions about the negative aspects of carrageenan, as well as (apparently) different forms of carrageenan with varying effects. Vanilla extract - there wasn't added sugar, but I didn't think about the fact that it is preserved with alcohol. I've used it a couple times in my coffee, but only 5-6 drops at a time (I used to use a lot of sugar, and I'm still craving it, but so far this is the longest I've ever gone without any direct sweetener/sugar of some kind). Homeopathic / Cell Salt remedies - I've recently learned that the pills that the remedies use to deliver the remedies are lactose based, meaning I've consumed a little dairy? I realize in the big picture that these are such tiny amounts that common sense would seem to indicate there's not a problem (I haven't done any of these things daily except use my toothpaste). That said, a HUGE part of the psychological support I need is to be 100% confident I'm doing this right. I need to know, at the end of 30 days, that I'm not in a position of "it didn't really count" for the "full reset effect" because of these things. Can you help? Again, I would really appreciate an 'official' response. Not that I don't appreciate the 'community' support, I just need that official 'proof' so I can be completely confident in continuing and in reaching 30 days. Thanks very much, Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmary Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 The toothpaste is a non-issue, unless you are swallowing it. On the other items, Melissa has asked us to direct people to this article. You have to decide for yourself if a restart is required. http://whole30.com/2014/06/really-start-whole30/ Whatever you decide to do, know that 13 days of trying to do the whole30 but missing a few details is NOT worthless. It is 1 million times better than not trying at all. If you end up with 43 days nourishing yourself instead of just 30 I would consider that a win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted July 19, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 19, 2015 My thoughts about the particular ingredient issues you raised. 1. You are spitting the carrageenan out. You're fine. The vanilla extract is off plan. 2. A trace of alcohol is not worth restarting over, but you should not use the vanilla extract for the rest of your Whole30. Even trace amounts are not okay. 3. Lactose, even small amounts, is important. If you can suspend taking the homeopathic remedies during the rest of your Whole30, it would be best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 The toothpaste is a non-issue, unless you are swallowing it. On the other items, Melissa has asked us to direct people to this article. You have to decide for yourself if a restart is required. http://whole30.com/2014/06/really-start-whole30/ Whatever you decide to do, know that 13 days of trying to do the whole30 but missing a few details is NOT worthless. It is 1 million times better than not trying at all. If you end up with 43 days nourishing yourself instead of just 30 I would consider that a win. missmary, Thank you for your response. While I know it's up to me, I really would like your opinion. Again, for me, this is a huge psychological issue. I know that I'm doing good things overall by eating this way. I also know that really this is the way we should all be eating all the time. However, there are a couple health issues I really need to know if this plan has helped with. If I know I haven't 'ruined it', and I haven't seen the relief I'm hoping for, then I know I may have to look for other solutions. If those issues have cleared, then I know this way of eating 100% works for me. But if there's that doubt (about whether it was those trace amounts that degraded my results), then it's going to really discourage me from continuing 'in the dark'. I hope that makes sense. Thanks again. Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 My thoughts about the particular ingredient issues you raised. 1. You are spitting the carrageenan out. You're fine. The vanilla extract is off plan. 2. A trace of alcohol is not worth restarting over, but you should not use the vanilla extract for the rest of your Whole30. Even trace amounts are not okay. 3. Lactose, even small amounts, is important. If you can suspend taking the homeopathic remedies during the rest of your Whole30, it would be best. Tom, Thank you very much for addressing my questions specifically. No problem on no more vanilla. No problem on any remedies (which, to be honest, I'm not even sure I've taken any. It's just that I found they contain lactose and was concerned). So, in your opinion, have I already 'ruined it' and have to restart the 'clock', or am I okay to consider myself '14 days in'? This is a huge psychological issue for me, as I'm evaluating this program and my diet as it relates to a couple specific health issues. So I really need to know that this 30 days counted for the 'reset' or 'clearing' as described. Again, if my issues clear up, that will be a clear answer that this way of eating is for me, for life. But if they don't, I need to know that it wasn't because I didn't 'officially' complete 30 days. Thanks, Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Tom and missmary, Let me also be clear; I know this is a better way of eating. I just need to know that I've done the program 'right' in order to continue to evaluate other things to correct a couple health issues. Thanks so much for your help, Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators SugarcubeOD Posted July 20, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 20, 2015 Lake; Part of the program is ownership of your dietary choices. It's definitely good to come to the forum and poke around and check on random things such as carageenan in toothpaste, however, the reason Missmary posted a link to the article on deciding for yourself is because you need to take ownership. As far as the health issues that you're trying to improve, I caution you that many long standing health issues that people come to try to improve often need more than 30 days. Tom and Missmary and even Melissa telling you you did it 100% right isn't going to be the tipping point on whether this way of eating is going to improve your health issues at day 30 or not. And given that you may need more than 30 days, it might be worth it for peace of mind and sanity to turn your Whole30 into a Whole43... then you know without a doubt that the toothpaste and vanilla extract aren't going to be a problem for your success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Well "sugar", it should be obvious that I am 'taking ownership', or else I wouldn't be doing the program in the first place. To infer that my inquiry means that I am not or that I didn't understand Missmary's intention is, quite frankly, a bit condescending. I'm also fully aware, as any health conscious person, that long standing issues may take longer than 30 days to repair. My question was pretty straight forward and simple, did the things I mentioned in my first post nullify my 30 day counter or not? I realize that today's 'cover your a--' culture won't allow for an 'official' reply. That's why I painstakingly explained that I was just asking for the moderators personal opinions, which Tom offered but only partially. It appears such a simple request is, unfathomably, too complex for a simple straight answer. I'll leave it alone and go about my business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ultrarunnergirl Posted July 22, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 22, 2015 Personally, I would start over because of the vanilla. That's just what I would do. Like you, I fell it is critically important that I follow the rules to a T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munkers Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Personally, I would start over because of the vanilla. That's just what I would do. Like you, I fell it is critically important that I follow the rules to a T. My personal opinion is basically the above. The point of a Whole30 is 30 continuous days of following the program rules. The program rules state "no alcohol" and Melissa has specifically called out vanilla extract as off plan. When the rule is "no alcohol" then any amount of vanilla extract means that you're not following that rule. If your goal is to specifcally review for your reactions to different foods when you reintroduce them (like lactose), then you do need at least 30 days of uninterrupted abstinence from that substance before doing a reintroduction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Personally, I would start over because of the vanilla. That's just what I would do. Like you, I fell it is critically important that I follow the rules to a T. Thank you ultra for sharing your opinion. Just what I was asking for. Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 My personal opinion is basically the above. The point of a Whole30 is 30 continuous days of following the program rules. The program rules state "no alcohol" and Melissa has specifically called out vanilla extract as off plan. When the rule is "no alcohol" then any amount of vanilla extract means that you're not following that rule. If your goal is to specifcally review for your reactions to different foods when you reintroduce them (like lactose), then you do need at least 30 days of uninterrupted abstinence from that substance before doing a reintroduction. Thank you Munkers. I appreciate the straight answer, personal opinion. Lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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