In recent posts I mentioned starting a new eating plan since returning from Ireland. Lately I had been feeling run down: disrupted sleep with Finn, a hectic few weeks keeping Aoife entertained during nursery holidays, and the usual ups and downs of trying different diets to lose baby weight. The result was feeling bloated, dealing with breakouts, and battling strong sugar cravings while the same few pounds kept coming back.
I first came across Whole30 a few months ago but with a newborn I didn’t feel I had the headspace for such a strict plan. Now feels like the right time. Whole30 means 30 days without alcohol, dairy, grains, legumes or added sugar.
Cutting out so many food groups is challenging, but I’m ready to spend a month resetting my body, changing habits, and improving overall health and energy — and yes, I wouldn’t mind losing a bit of weight along the way.
I’m not imposing the full elimination on my whole family, but I am adopting some principles for my fussy eater. After nearly two weeks in Ireland filled with chocolate and ice cream treats, reducing her sugar intake for a while feels sensible.
Whole30 has also made me read ingredient lists more carefully. I assumed I knew what we ate, but sugar is in far more products than I expected — many jars of sauces and pastes contain added sugar. Completely removing sugar from our diets long-term may not be realistic, but cutting down and becoming ingredient-aware is my first step.
So, what am I actually eating? Here are examples of meals I’ve been having on Whole30:
Breakfasts
Fried eggs with sautéed spinach // Ham and vegetable omelette // Baked eggs in avocado // Fruit salad with coconut milk and crushed nuts
Lunches
Ham and mushroom courgetti // Chicken salad // Fried eggs with sweet potato // Turkey burger with portobello mushrooms and crispy sweet potato fries
Dinners
DinnersChicken salad // Minced beef tacos (wrapped in lettuce) // Creamy pesto courgetti with chicken and veg // Mocha-rub steak with sweet potato fries and salad
I won’t post only Whole30 recipes for the next month — I still cook family-friendly meals and share fussy-eater recipes — but I am aiming to improve our eating habits: reduce sugar, increase vegetable portions, and make meals healthier for everyone. If my family enjoys any of my Whole30 dishes, I’ll share those recipes here. If you’d like more (or fewer) of these kinds of posts, let me know.
It’s early to judge the full impact of Whole30, but after a week I already notice some benefits. I’ve been sharing many of my meals on Instagram, where I first learned about Whole30 and where much of my inspiration comes from. If you’re doing Whole30, tell me about your experience. If you’re thinking of trying it and have questions, just ask.
Follow my progress here:
Whole30 Week 2
Whole30 Week 3
Whole30 Week 4
Whole30 Results