The Whole30® diet, while it has been around for a while, has gained in popularity just recently. The diet is based on a 30 day dietary experiment done by diet founder, Melissa Hartwig, who blogged about her experience and gained much attention. Now with a website, multiple books, and social media, this diet is becoming a trend.
First red flag! The Whole30 and other popular diets claim to “change your life.” Any diet that makes such a lofty claim right off the bat should be faced with skepticism. In addition, the diet claims to “put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.” Just 30 days with so much improvement – sound too good to be true? Probably.
Program Rules:
The Whole30 diet is an elimination diet that lasts for 30 days. The rules include cutting out the following foods entirely from your diet:
- Grains
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Alcohol
- Added sugar and processed foods
Once the 30 days are over, these restricted foods are reintroduced one at a time.
The diet allows you to eat:
- Meat
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Some fruit
- Natural fats
Second red flag! Any diet that is highly restrictive, cutting out multiple food groups, can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and may lead to binge eating. Not to mention, if you enjoy those foods, you are left without enjoyment! Cutting out food groups is rarely a good idea, unless you suffer from a certain health or medical condition requiring you to do so. Furthermore, a diet that lasts just 30 days may sound quick and appealing, but this duration does not prepare individuals to adopt long-term healthy eating habits. Not to mention, what happens when you reintroduce the foods?
Third red flag! Many fad diets make lofty claims with little, if any, scientific evidence to support their claims. Often times fad diets have testimonial claims instead of scientific evidence, leading many to try the fad diet with poor results. It is always best to work with your health professional before starting any diet or weight loss program.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a diet or eating pattern that has been shown to have positive health impacts and that sets you up for long-term healthy habits, consider the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet instead. These eating patterns do not eliminate any foods. Rather they allow all foods in moderation, focusing primarily on whole, healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats; encouraging mindful eating but enjoyment too!
