Can I shop the vegetarian list and eat meat too?

[lforest]

 I, like so many other members, are very excited about the Whole30, but am having a hard time with the idea of eating so much meat.  My question is this:

 

My simple question is this: Can I use the vegetarian shopping list (with natto, tofu, yogurt) and also incorporate meats into my diet? Or is it necessary that we do an "either/or"- either the "real" Whole30 OR the vegetarian version of Whole30?

 

Thank you!

[ShannonM816]

You really need to do one or the other. If you are willing to eat animal proteins at all, we'd recommend doing a regular Whole30, and then doing careful reintroductions at the end of tofu, beans, or whatever other non-animal protein sources you want to include in your life going forward, so that you know how you react to them. Then you use that information to make your own Wholelforest plan for the rest of your life.

 

Keep in mind that the meal template lists a range of protein sizes, 1-2 palm-sized portions. You can definitely try to stick to the low end of that, and have just one palm-sized portion at each meal.

 

There have been people who have done Whole30 with just eggs, or with just eggs and fish, so it can be done, and if you're willing to incorporate other meats, that just gives you more options to mix things up. You might find this article helpful if you have taste/texture issues with meat.

[Tom Denham]

A vegetarian Whole30 is not equal to a regular Whole30. Natto, tofu, and yogurt all present issues to your body. Eating them is a compromise for people whose beliefs rule out eating animal protein.