Round 2 issues

[KangaRue]

So I finished my first whole30 on 09/29/15 and started another 30 days immediately.  I know this might be considered a whole60 or whole90 because I plan on continuing for awhile.  I have had so many issues with my stomach and health over the last few years that I know 30 days won't be enough to heal all that is wrong.  Having said that I feel wonderful. My stomach is under control and my skin issues are going away.  I have so much more energy and focus than I have had for years.  I truly am thankful for the program.  My first 30 days were rough at first, I had a lot of cravings and still had the stomach issues for the first 2 weeks. After the first couple of weeks everything got better.  My stomach didn't hurt, I didn't even miss sugar, my mind was clear.  I finished my first round strong and felt like I could take on anything.  Today is day 2 of round 2 and I want to kill all the things while eating all the things.  My sugar cravings are back and I'm grumpy.  I haven't changed anything, I'm eating wonderful food. I want all of the cookies and candy and crap that I can't eat.  I'm celiac so I can't even eat all the things I'm craving.  I have been fine for weeks and now I feel like round 1 day 2 not round 2.  I know in my head that I wouldn't even eat these things if they were physically in front of me but I can't stop thinking about food.  I want to eat this way for pretty much the rest of my life because I feel like I finally have freedom from feeling like crap all the time.  I don't want to bring anything back into my diet as I really truly don't miss it, but I can't stop craving junk food.  I know 30 days can't heal all of my food issues from the last 30 years but I really thought round 2 would be easier.  Any suggestions on getting past this part?

[ShannonM816]

Out of curiosity, could you be in the week or so before your period? Many women report really strong cravings around that time. If that's what it is, eat lots of compliant foods, especially lots of starchy vegetables and lots of fats.

 

Other than that, if you wanted to list a couple of days' worth of what you're eating, maybe something will stand out. Often people restrict their food, often without realizing it if they're used to counting calories/fat grams/carbs/points/whatever.

 

In general, be sure you're eating at least the minimum amount on the meal template three times a day. Include pre- and post-workout meals when you work out. Don't be afraid to include starchy vegetables or to add fats in addition to your cooking fats.

[KangaRue]

Sure I can tell you what I'm eating, and nope my dirty lady time is about 3 weeks away.

 

Breakfast

Pumpkin Bar*

Coffee with coconut milk and cinnamon

 

Lunch

  Today

     Chicken thigh with the skin cooked in ghee and spices, sauted brussel sprouts, a small bag of dried apples and a la croix

   Yesterday

      4 oz of applegate turkey lunchmeat with an avocado and whole30 mayo and mustard, about a cup and a half of steamed broccli with ghee,  an apple and a la croix

 

Dinner

   Today

      Cranberry Chicken and broccoli (sauce is made of cranberries, coconut aminos, ghee and a splash of pineapple juice)

   Yesterday

      Baked chicken leg and thigh with sauted mushrooms and squash

 

*Yes I am aware that this would be a SWYPO for some but I hate eggs and I'm allergic to pork.  It has canned pumpkin, eggs, coconut milk, a banana, and is topped with pecans.  This is honestly one of the only things I can eat for breakfast without gagging.  I don't think about it or crave it and it isn't all that sweet.  I would never come home after a long day at work and drown my self in a bowl of this.  I have been making paleo muffins for years and I have held off on doing those because I wanted to be true to the whole30 but I had to comprimise somewhere or I wouldn't be eating breakfast.

[QuilterInVA]

That breakfast bar will set off sugar cravings for sure. You don't have to eat eggs or pork. You can eat anything you'd eat at any other meal. That breakfast bar also breaks the rule against sweets and making forbidden foods out of compliant foods. You aren't doing a true Whole30 eating like that.

 

Many find their subsequent Whole30s to be harder than the first one for some reason. Like you, I am continuing on and making mine a whole 60.

[KangaRue]

I'm sorry but I don't agree with that.  It is mostly pumpkin eggs and coconut milk there is not a lot of sugar in it so there is no reason it would cause sugar spikes.  It isn't a treat in any way shape or form for me.  I don't feel I am breaking any rules eating this I'm not making pancakes.  Would it be different if I had pumpkin puree a banana some eggs and coconut milk in my coffee?? No it is the same thing.  I don't concider this a forbidden food at all. I am doing a true whole30 and you can't tell me different.

[Caitie]

Looking at your food log I don't see any starchy carbs at all except for the pumpkin, which probably isn't even that much.  That would definitely leave me tired and cranky. Add in at least one more serving, like a sweet potato, or a regular potato (those are allowed now! yay!), carrots and parsnips, winter squash like butternut and acorn squash, and plantains, my favorite discovery since starting a primal lifestyle.  Women need more starchy carbs than men to function best and have good hormone levels. Liz Wolfe has some great info on that. Also, that really doesn't seem like much food…I'd be hungry and cranky with one chicken thigh or only 4 oz of lunchmeat for lunch too! You also could try upping your protein.

 

Regarding the pumpkin bar, I make something really similar but with baked apples on the bottom and sometimes with ground turkey or pork with it…Its really not sweet and doesn't set off cravings for me and isn't even remotely like anything I made pre whole30 so I wouldn't worry about it at all. 

[ShannonM816]

One thing that stands out to me is that your portions all look a little small. You really need to find a way to add protein to your breakfast -- a serving of eggs, if they're your only protein, is as many whole eggs as you can hold in your hand. Does that pumpkin bar have 3-4 eggs in it? How about trying something like this Sweet & Savory Blueberry Tortilla (not a tortilla like in Mexican food, more like an omelette)? Or having some sausage or some other protein with it? Chicken thighs can be a little small -- try having two. Aim for 2-3 cups (or more) of cooked vegetables at every meal. And don't be afraid to add fat to your meals, in addition to what you cooked the food in. It will go a long way to keeping you satisfied between meals and making those cravings at least more manageable, if not make them go away completely.

 

All of your meals could stand to be bigger, but I really, really think the most important thing you can do is have a more substantial breakfast. It really will set you up for a better day with less cravings. Check out this thread for some non-breakfasty breakfast ideas, and just try to be a little more open to the idea. Maybe you start by adding some less traditional things with the stuff you're comfortable with until you get used to eating different things first thing in the morning. This blog post (not from Whole30) has some explanation of why we stress breakfast so much, and It Starts With Food goes into it a little more.

[KangaRue]

Thank you Shannon and Caitie so much!! Just to let you know I put 8 eggs in and it makes 8 servings so it is a bit short in the egg department.  I seriously hate breakfast so it is my hardest meal to deal with.  Before whole30 I would eat a quest bar and coffee because I have never liked eating breakfast. I feel like I'm eating so much as it is and I'm not hungry, well not real hungry.  I could always shovel a pound of chocolate in but I won't.

[Caitie]

This is technically against the rules, but have you tried smoothies?  Personally i feel like the benefits of getting more food/protein for breakfast outweigh the not eating solid food negative part, plus you've already conquered the whole 30 beast, so you could continue on a customized whole30ish program. Maybe some protein powder blended with berries, coconut milk and a mild vegetable like spinach would be easier to stomach for you in the morning. Or like a small smoothie combined with the pumpkin bar. 

Along the same lines is soup for breakfast. My favorite breakfast is the zucchini soup from The Clothes Make the Girl. I add in some shredded chicken for more protein. http://meljoulwan.com/2012/11/05/silky-gingered-zucchini-soup/

[KangaRue]

I could and I could even go back to some of my paleo muffins, I just really want to do this right so I don't slip back into my old ways.  I don't know why all of that food in the post Shannon shared make my stomach turn when I think of breakfast.  Lunch ohh I would be on board.  Eating that much food that early is something I will have to work up to because I just have always hated eating first thing.

[Caitie]

Yeah I think breakfast issues are pretty common but hopefully you can work up to eating a full breakfast. Good luck! 

[ShannonM816]

I was thinking -- I've actually made scrambled eggs with pumpkin in them before. I'm sure it was a recipe I saw on a blog somewhere, but I'm not sure where now. They were actually pretty good. Maybe just try that for a while. I think I used 1/3-1/2 a can of pumpkin, three eggs, maybe a little coconut milk, and then whatever spices, mixed together and cooked like you'd cook scrambled eggs, in a little coconut oil. Maybe that would work, since it's the same basic flavors you have, just in slightly different proportions?

 

The thing is, if you just keep making yourself a nice big breakfast, and eating as much of it as you can, eventually you will eat all of it. This thread has some testimonials from former non-breakfast-eaters, talking about the difference breakfast makes for them, if you need some inspiration to keep trying.

[ultrarunnergirl]

You're definitely not eating enough if you are craving sweets. Try adding some sweet potato to your last meal. Or beets. Or winter squash.

You're low on protein. Especially at Meal 1. You really need it first thing in the morning.

The Meal Template recommendations is for 1 - 2 palm sized portions of meat (or the number of eggs you can hold in one hand, 3-4 for most people). And keep in mind, the Meal Template is the recommended MINIMUM. If you work out at all, add pre or post workout meals (see the template for specifics).

 

You can do this!

[SpunkyBug]

I know you said you hate eggs, but similar to what Shannon posted: At the beginning of every week, I open a can of pureed organic butternut squash (Farmer's Market brand) and transfer it to a plastic container that I keep in the fridge. Every time I make scrambled eggs, I add a tablespoon of the puree for every egg. I also add several big shakes of Nom Nom Paleo's Magic Mushroom Powder.

 

I no longer make scrambled eggs or egg casseroles/frittatas without these two ingredients -- not EVER! They really reduce the "egginess" of the eggs and make them more earthy. It's hard to describe, but plain eggs can give me a weird "metallic" feeling in my head (oddly enough, Sun Chips do this too -- not that I eat them anymore). I could not eat eggs as often as I do now without this discovery. 

 

You could also make a breakfast casserole similar to this: http://paleomg.com/easy-breakfast-casserole/, but replace the breakfast sausage with sliced Aidells Chicken and Apple sausage (or similar, compliant brand). And also add in the pureed butternut squash and mushroom powder to the eggs when you whisk them.