Whole30: What if...?

A few of you have been mentioning the “What If?” statement quite a bit. Or the “Can I have…?”

To nip the “Can I have…?” in the bud refer to this article here.

So let’s have a chat and talk about it! I believe experiencing the Whole30 has been the best thing to ever happen to me and my body and more importantly my confidence! I want everyone out there to have a great experience too!

Let’s talk through some of these issues.

 

What if there is a holiday/vacation coming up during my Whole30?

 

Easy. PLAN AHEAD!

How many days will you be gone?

If it’s a week, plan on bringing some snacks and Whole30 essentials with you.

I have a vacation coming up and I have already done my research and know what I am bringing and what to eat if we go out. 

When you arrive at your destination, plan a trip to the local farmer’s market or grocery store to pick up some things. Like compliant beef jerky, eggs ( to hard boil), Larabars ( not the best choice but it’s easy), raw almonds or macadamia nuts, fruit, vegetables, and if you have access to a kitchen or grill buy some meats! Grill some veggies and chicken.

Here is my list of things I am prepping ahead of time to bring with me/things to order out:

Prepped:

Mayo (homemade)

Beef Jerky

Paleo trail mix

Larabars (maybe)

Guacamole

Apples

Bananas

Almond Butter

Groceries to pick up when I get there:

Romaine

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Red Onion

Cucumber

Limes

Lemons

Berries

Avocados

Chicken

Shrimp

 

Yes. It’s time consuming but you have COMMITTED to the Whole30 and it’s TOTALLY worth the effort to get the results you want!

 

Now, if it’s a holiday. Let’s say the upcoming Memorial Day. There’s a big BBQ spread. Everything: potato chips, dip, brownies, potato salad…. And you feel a little sad that you can’t partake in it.

Well, you’re viewing it wrong. Among the tempting foods is a hidden menu that you need to train your eyes for while on the Whole30.

Take another look at the spread. I bet you will see a big tossed salad with tons of good veggies, I bet there are baked potatoes in aluminum foil ( with no added butter or sour cream), I bet there is a tray of burgers ( not grass-fed but will do.) Just politely ask the host if they added anything else to the burger besides seasonings and you should be ok. And if there is grilled chicken ( make sure there were no marinades used) dive in! Now you can have your plate and enjoy the BBQ without feeling deprived!

 

-          And if you are like me, during the middle of the Whole30….honestly I felt so good that those foods didn’t even call to me anymore. They weren’t worth it to disrupt my finally balanced body.

 

Takeaway: Just open your eyes to other possibilities in these situations and don’t focus on what you can’t have! It makes it worse!

 

What if my family won’t do the Whole30 with me?

This one is tough but doable.

 

Step 1: Tell your family about all the wonderful things the Whole30 does for you. Encourage them to join you.

If that is enough , then lucky you!

 

Step 2: If they refuse, then simply accept the fact that it will make things more of a challenge then this already is.

 

Step 3: Draw a line in the sand and STICK WITH IT! No matter what your family is enjoying, don’t cave!

 

Step 4: You will have to make 2 but similar meals. I do this with Jake all the time. Jake did not do the first round of the Whole30 with me, so I made adjustments.

 

For example: Say, we are having chicken stirfy for dinner. I marinate the chicken in lemon juice, salt, white pepper, and garlic. I then sauté the peppers and onions in a wok, add the chicken and we are rolling.

Now here comes the Whole30 difference: I steam Jake some Jasmine rice and I pulse some cauliflower in my food processor for my “rice”. See? We both enjoy the same meal but with a Whole30 difference on my plate!

 

Or on Spaghetti night: make turkey meatballs, homemade marinara sauce ( cause the store bought stuff has crap in it), and make spaghetti for your family and pop a spaghetti squash in the oven for yourself to have some tonight and some for lunch tomorrow.

You CAN still enjoy the same meals as a family. Just make slight adjustments so you can have it too!

 

 

What if we go out to eat?

 

This one is pretty easy too!

Know before you go out! Most restaurants have their menus and nutritional information available to you, use those resources! Know exactly what you will order before you get there. And if your friends/family doesn’t mind, say no to the bread/chips they bring to munch on before dinner. Less temptation that way 😉

 

I actually went out to eat a few times on the Whole30 and was able to navigate the menus.

Here is where I ate and what I ordered:

 

Chipotle: Order the salad bowl, no beans, no rice, double carnitas, pico de gallo, and guacamole. YUM!

Mexican Restaurant: (ask what oil/fat they use to cook meat first) if it’s butter, kindly ask to have your meat cooked in olive oil. But I ordered the chicken fajitas (no tortilla) with a small side of guacamole.

 

Outback Steakhouse: Order a 6-8oz steak (fire grilled) ask to cook it in olive oil, with a side of steamed broccoli and a plain sweet potato. DELISH!

 

Tip 1: If you are able, try to take control of where you eat. “Hey, instead of going ____ can we try ____?”

 

Tip 2: Pretend to have a food allergy even if you don’t have one. Most restaurants are very gluten aware nowadays and more than likely be more than willing to comply with your requests.

 

What if we go out to the movies?

Popcorn is one of my weaknesses. I admit it. And when you enter you smell it and the mouth begins to water. But luckily you have a bag of your own goodies. Bring kale chips, almonds, coconut chips, or beef jerky in your purse. And order some water at the counter.

 

Bottom line is: There will be many situations where the Whole30 will challenge you further. Learn to say “no” and sticks to your guns about staying compliant till the end! I will be your number one fan through to the end!

 

And as always, I am here for you! PLEASE ask me questions, email me, or message me on FB or Instagram if you need advice!

 

I hope this helped some of you!