Is vegan whole 30 possible?
Since the origins of the Whole30 in 2009, one question has come up more than any other: “Can I do the Whole30 as a vegetarian or vegan?” In the past, the answer to this question was a bit complex. Today, the answer is easy–a resounding YES, thanks to our new Plant-Based Whole30 program.
The Plant-Based Whole30® program is a 100% plant-based version of our original 30-day reset, including free recipes, resources, and support designed for vegans, vegetarians, and those curious about adopting a plant-based diet.
Soy is an important protein source on the Plant-Based Whole30, and can be used in whole food, minimally processed forms, like tofu, tempeh, edamame, miso, and natto.
The Plant-Based Whole30 program is laid out in two phases: 30 days of elimination, and 6+ days of reintroduction. For the first 30 days, you'll be eating plant-based protein sources, lots of vegetables and fruit, and natural plant-based fats.
Whole30 bans beans based on the idea that they contain "anti-nutrients" like phytates, which are compounds found in plants that can potentially block the body's absorption of important minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium.
Whole30 eliminates all legumes: Another healthy food group, axed from the menu! The creators of Whole30 warn that legumes (like chickpeas, black beans, or lentils) have high levels of phytates, which can block the uptake of certain nutrients by our bodies.
The plan cuts out foods that often trigger symptoms of a food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity. Dairy, for instance. It's estimated that up to 70% of people may have a sensitivity to lactose and milk products.
Best Whole30 Almond Milks
Their unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened vanilla almond milk are both compliant. New Barn also makes compliant almond milk. Blue Diamond's Unsweetened Almond Milk is compliant.
Whole30 at Chick-Fil-A
Stark says to make sure to order it without the bun and to say no to the lemon herb marinade or honey roasted barbecue sauce. You can keep the tomato and lettuce! “The market salad is probably the most solid option on the menu as it's composed mostly of lean protein, fruits and veggies.
Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).
What diet is closest to Whole30?
The Whole 30 and Paleo Diet are very similar. The Whole 30 is more restrictive than the paleo diet. For example, no sugar is allowed in the Whole 30 but only refined sugar is cut out of the Paleo diet.
Yes, you can eat potatoes of all colors under the new Whole30 guidelines, white varieties included. Mash 'em up, roast them, or throw them in the skillet to enjoy. Just don't eat them commercially deep-fried or in packaged chip form to stay Whole30-compliant.

The Whole30 and other anti-grain diets claim that lectins can lead to “leaky gut” (a term that most medical experts don't use because there's not enough evidence behind it) by causing inflammation in your intestines. But this just isn't substantiated in the evidence.
- Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult.
- May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.
- Restricts many cultural foods.
- May be time intensive due to food label reading, meal planning and meal prep.
What is Whole30? Whole30 is a 30-day elimination diet that involves avoiding certain foods that, according to the founders, can cause inflammation and cravings, and negatively affect hormones and gut health.
While the competitive crowd might agree, the doctor says Whole30 is probably not a good idea. “At the end of the day, nutritional advice should be individualized," he says. "It's a very restrictive diet, and it can cause some serious problems.
On the Whole30 diet, you can't have: dairy (say good-bye to cheese), legumes (so no beans, pea, chickpeas, lentils peanuts or peanut butter, soy sauce, tofu, and anything else soy-related), grains (wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, and even gluten-free grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth), added sugars (from ...
This Whole30 hummus is seriously to die for and it is loaded with nutrients! This Whole30 alternative also happens to be autoimmune protocol friendly too. The creamy blended artichokes combined with the lemon juiced, fresh garlic and saute onions is quite yummy!
Sugars, grains, dairy, alcohol, anything processed, and — the tricky part —anything that resembles those foods (no Paleo pancakes, gluten-free oats, or Whole30-approved cupcakes allowed). Since yogurt, cereal, toast, and even oatmeal are off the table, breakfast tends to be the toughest meal on the program.
Can I eat popcorn on the Whole30? Unfortunately, no. Grains are not allowed during the Whole30 and popcorn is made from a grain (corn). Don't worry, it's only 30 days!
Is olive oil Whole30 compliant?
Extra virgin olive oil is approved and Whole30 compliant. Regular olive oil (aka pure olive oil) and light tasting oil are also approved by the authors. While on the Whole30 plan, you should avoid most packaged salad dressings and mayonnaise. Most of these products are made with seed oils and are not compliant.
You can have bacon during your Whole30, provided that the brand you choose is compatible with the Whole30 program. Many brands of bacon contain sugar, so we've made it easy on you by partnering with brands that make a sugar-free option!
No dairy (milk – cow or goat, cheese, yogurt and ice cream) No MSG or sulfites (food additives)
On Whole30, adherents must cut out all sweeteners including maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, monk fruit extract, and stevia. However, dieters are permitted to use fruit juice as a sweetener.
It seems like a rotisserie chicken should be a simple, “clean” option, but most contain all sorts of additives that just aren't suitable on whole30.
As mentioned earlier, the Whole30 diet focuses on WHOLE foods aka meat and veggies. Load up on grass fed beef, pasture raised chicken and eggs, and lean pork. Load up at your “taco” with organic tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, jalapeno peppers, sweet potatoes, lettuces, fresh cilantro, and avocados.
Five Guys is definitely Whole30 compliant, and we are HUGE fans of that statement. Just stick to the basics (as usual), and avoid buns, dairy, and sauces. Five Guys does not add artificial ingredients in their beef patties.
Fruits Whole30-approved favorites include: Apricots. Blackberries. Blueberries.
Nut butter and seed butters
Peanuts and peanut butter are not Whole30 compliant but if you're looking for almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower seed butter, Trader Joe's has an awesome collection with no added sugars.
Kiwi is just one of the Whole30-approved ingredients in the Chili Mango-Kiwi Salad. 64. Pineapple. A single serving of pineapple boasts 131% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Are carrots OK on Whole30?
Potatoes, zucchini or summer squash, carrots, beets, cucumber, apples, pears, or plantains are all great places to start.
To follow the Whole30 diet correctly, a person can have no cheat days during these 30 days and may not allow these foods into their diet under any circumstances. Anyone who does slip up or has a cheat day would have to repeat the process from day 1.
Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.
All fruit, including dates, are allowed on your Whole30. They're a great way to add that hint of sweetness to a sauce, or to stuff with almonds and wrap in (compatible) bacon as a fancy-schmancy appetizer. But please, no processed date syrup.
From breakfast to dinner, and appetizers too, here are some of the most incredible and healthy recipes you can make using your Air Fryer. Whole30 friendly, and all made in less tha n30 minutes. There's lots of Paleo and Keto options too!
Whole30 and Coffee
Here's their official stance on coffee: “Yes, you can have your coffee. You're welcome. You can drink it black, add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, almond milk, or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew.
Per the official program rules, you must eliminate all of the following for 30 days, no exceptions: Added sugar, real or artificial. This includes (but is not limited to) maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, stevia, monk fruit, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, and xylitol.
Frozen or Fresh Riced Cauliflower
We can't emphasize this enough — a bag of cauliflower rice should be a staple in your freezer or fridge, especially during the Whole30. Mix it with veggies and top with a protein, and you've got a hearty meal.
Grains are off limits on Whole30, meaning no rice, quinoa, oats, or pasta of any kind. These seaweed-based noodles are an excellent replacement for the grains we craved. Note: you do need to soften kelp noodles before enjoying in your favorite recipe.
Clean Ingredients, Food Lifestyle, Home Cook
If you follow the Whole30 mood calendars, like the above from Whole30.com, you know that days 10-11 are considered the hardest to get through. In fact, a high percentage of people quit during these next couple of days. But not us and not you!
Why aren't I losing weight on Whole30?
It's important to assess other potential reasons why you may not be losing weight on Whole30. Factors such as underlying medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, stress levels, sleep quality, and physical activity levels can all impact weight loss progress.
“As well, you're not supposed to weigh yourself or take any measurements during the 30 days.” The idea behind this approach is to reset your metabolism and digestive tract. According to some research studies, elimination diets like Whole30 can be an effective tool to help some people with gastrointestinal issues.
You might experience headaches, bloating, stomachaches, sugar cravings, and — yes — diarrhea. This is likely the result of all the fiber you're taking in through fruits and vegetables, and it's especially likely to happen if you didn't eat a lot of fiber before.
A true Whole30 is only an option if you're ok with eggs and fish. Because most plant-based proteins are not allowed (like legumes or grains), it would be too challenging to get enough protein for 30 days without eggs or fish.
Finally, don't just take our word for it—believe in the hundreds of medical professionals (including Dr. Matt Mechtenberg) who say the Whole30 is both safe and healthy, even beyond the initial 30-day period. So in summary, yes, you could do the Whole30 every day for the rest of your life.
Fish, fish oils, walnuts, flaxseeds (linseeds) and canola oil all contain healthy omega 3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation in the body. Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural anti-inflammatory substance which has been shown to reduce inflammation and kill cancer cells in the laboratory.
1. Oily fish. Loaded with health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, these varieties of fish, like sardines, salmon, trout and herring, have been associated with reductions in a key marker of inflammation called C-reactive protein (CRP).
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One form of these powerful inflammation fighters is found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna, striped bass and anchovies. “You can get the benefit from eating the fish or by taking fish oil [supplements],” Snead says. Vegetarians and vegans have options, too.
What's not allowed on Whole30? You'll avoid grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, added and artificial sugar, and foods with common additives like carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites. You also can't use Whole30-approved ingredients to make treats, such as pancakes, bread, muffins, brownies, pizza crust, or ice cream.
According to the Plant-Based Whole30 website, the following plant-based meat replacement brands are NOT compliant with their program: Impossible Foods: Many products contain soy protein isolate/concentrate and added sugar. Beyond Meat: Most products contain rice protein or flour, some contain gluten.
Is it possible to be vegan your whole life?
Has anyone been vegan for his/her whole life? Jainism is the religion which preaches veganism. All Jain's (4-5 millions) are strict vegetarian and high percentage of them are vegan. Since birth, all through their life.
What Is A Part-Time Vegan? There are many different ways to be a 'part-time' vegan; eating only plant-based foods at home but having flexibility when eating out, eating plant-based during the week but changing it up at the weekends… both of these are examples of 'flexitarian' eating, or 'part-time' plant-based.
- Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult.
- May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.
- Restricts many cultural foods.
- May be time intensive due to food label reading, meal planning and meal prep.
If you want to successfully stick to the Whole30 program, you can't just eat eggs for breakfast every single day. You'll get bored. Instead, you need a specific meal plan with clear options, and knowing some Whole30 breakfast recipes in advance will keep as well as prevent you from getting bored of your food.
However, it is possible to eat too much fat on a Whole30, and that can negatively affect your hunger levels, energy, and digestion. We see this most often when people mindlessly snack on nuts and seeds.
Research has shown that a vegan diet can help do the following: Promote weight loss. Reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Lower your chances of getting certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer.
Generally speaking, vegan diets are associated with a lower calorie intake than other forms of plant-based diets, resulting in more significant weight loss. Lower calorie intake is attributed to plant-based diets with higher fiber content, greater food volume, and lower energy density.
But according to new research published in the journal Climate, if we all went vegan, the world's food-related CO2 emissions may drop by 68 per cent within 15 years, The move, which the study's authors admit is hypothetical, would also provide the cut in emissions needed to limit global warming to 2ºC.
A whole food plant-based diet often leads to healthy weight loss, but if you're not seeing the scale move, these reasons could be why: You're still eating and cooking with oil. You need to eat more leafy greens (and fiber in general) You're going out to eat too much.
Well – most people are more astute than I was at that age but interestingly it is estimated that a staggering 84% of people who try a vegan or vegetarian diet go back to eating meat. Perhaps you have had this experience yourself?
Is flexitarian better than vegan?
Sure, the vegan diet works for many people. However, the flexitarian diet is also a great practice that helps slow the current cycle of livestock supply and demand that is not sustainable for our growing planet, especially in the face of climate change.