With the month of May rapidly approaching, I feel it’s the ideal time for another “Whole 30”.
What is a Whole 30?
The Whole30 is another word for “strict Paleo” for a month. This is a popular approach recommended across the Paleosphere as a way to initially get into Paleo, to identify any food intolerances you may have, or just as a means to refocus. A Whole30 means eating lots of good quality meat, eggs, vegetables a little fruit, nuts and seeds. Grains, legumes, dairy and alcohol have no place on the Whole30!
Why am I Doing Another Whole 30?
Whilst I have been following Paleo for a couple of years now, I’ve found I’ve recently got a bit lazy with my nutrition and have been having lots of the same meals over and over. Whilst there’s nothing specifically wrong with this, it’s not the most interesting approach, and probably isn’t meeting all of my micronutrient requirements. I’ve also been having dried fruit more often than I should (why did I have to discover medjool dates?)
I’ve been keen to try an auto-immune protocol for a while, so incorporating this into my Whole30 will work well. I often forget to my supplements, especially Vitamin D, so for this month I'm going to be religious about it – good timing on the Vitamin D as we’re seeing a lot less sun, as we approach winter here in Australia.
With an autoimmune protocol I will also be omitting Nightshades (tomatoes, capsicum and peppers – since I don’t have potatoes they won’t be a new omission for me) and nuts and seeds. Some people skip eggs too on an autoimmune protocol, but I think that’s a step too far for me. I don’t have any particular health issues I’m looking to clear up since Paleo took care of my Asthma, but I have suspicious I'd fare a lot better without Nightshades. All will become clear!
How to do a Whole30
The Whole30 is so easy to do, but it does require some organisation. If it’s your introduction into Paleo, it’s a good idea to clean out your cupboards and fridge before you start – get rid of anything that reminiscent from a SAD diet and make sure you have all of the herbs, spices and ingredients on hand for the coming month. There’s a fantastic step by step guide in the Whole30 ebook explaining how to go about this for success.
I use the Whole30 as a culinary challenge – I use it as an excuse to try lots of difference recipes. In fact, the last Whole30 was such an enjoyable experience last time as we ate a different meal every single day – something I’m very far from at the moment!
My Whole30 approach is to spend some time on Sundays working out what’s happening during the coming week. When I know what I'm doing each day, I flick through my Paleo Cookbooks and assign a meal to each day. I then go out and buy all of the ingredients I’ll need for that week (taking a lot of care to ensure everything will be as fresh as possible on the day I have planned to eat it!) and prep anything I can in advance. This time I’m going to quadruple everything I cook, to stock the freezer up with lots of different lunch options to take into work.
I'm going to track my Whole30 using Cronometer, so I can get a good assessment of where my macro and micro nutrient ratios sit over the month. This month should give me some good tools (and recipes!) to tweak my diet after the Whole30.
Fortunately my housemate is also very keen to do another Whole30 – sharing the shopping, cooking and culinary inspiration certainly makes it a lot easier!
Have you done a Whole30 yet? How did you find it? Care to join me for a Whole30 May?
Why a Whole30 Reset Might Be Just What You Need
Whether you're new to Paleo or just need to reset and refocus, a Whole30 can be an incredibly effective way to break habits, try new meals, and tune into how food actually makes you feel. It’s not just about cutting out sugar or grains — it’s about being intentional, organised, and committed to nourishing your body.
If you're in Australia heading into winter, now is a great time to prioritise nutrient-dense meals, up your Vitamin D, and experiment with variations like the autoimmune protocol. And if you’ve fallen into the trap of same-same meals or relying on too many “Paleo treats” (we see you, medjool dates), this 30-day challenge is a great circuit breaker.
Want to join me for a Whole30 this May? Let me know in the comments if you're in — or share your favourite tips, recipes, or lessons from your last Whole30! Let’s do this together.
Planning for Whole30 Success: Meal Prep, Mindset & More
Taking on a Whole30 challenge is about more than just avoiding certain foods — it’s a mindset shift that requires intention, planning, and curiosity. Whether this is your first or fifth round, every Whole30 offers something new: a deeper awareness of your habits, a fresh perspective on food, and a valuable reset that leaves you feeling more energised and in control.
Stock Your Paleo Pantry for Whole30
To make things easier, take time before you begin to restock your pantry and fridge with Whole30-compliant staples. These will form the base of most of your meals:
- Proteins: Grass-fed beef, organic chicken, lamb, seafood, pasture-raised eggs
- Vegetables: Leafy greens, cruciferous veg, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, pumpkin, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
- Fats: Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, tallow, duck fat, coconut oil
- Flavour: Fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, turmeric, compliant spice blends, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar
- Broths: Homemade or Whole30-compliant bone broth (ideal for sipping or cooking)
Avoid anything with added sugar, soy, seed oils, grains, legumes, or dairy — including sneaky culprits like sauces and spice mixes.
Batch Cooking = Weekday Lifesaver
If your weekdays are busy, the real game-changer is batch cooking. Set aside a few hours on the weekend to:
- Roast a tray of mixed vegetables (carrot, sweet potato, onion, pumpkin)
- Make a big pot of curry, chilli, or soup
- Grill or slow-cook a bulk batch of chicken thighs or beef mince
- Hard boil eggs or make egg muffins for quick breakfasts
- Prep salad boxes with protein, leafy greens, and compliant dressing stored separately
Label, portion, and freeze where possible. You’ll thank yourself later.
Simple Whole30 Meal Ideas
Running out of inspiration by week two? Try these easy, compliant meal combos:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach, sweet potato and avocado
- Lunch: Leftover roast chicken, roasted pumpkin, and kale salad with olive oil and lemon
- Dinner: Grass-fed mince beef stir-fry with bok choy, garlic, ginger, and coconut aminos
- Snack (if needed): A handful of raw macadamias or boiled eggs with veggie sticks
Don’t forget hydration — herbal teas, water with fresh lemon, and bone broth all count.
What You Might Notice During Your Whole30
Every Whole30 experience is different, but here are a few common things you might experience:
- Days 2–5: The “carb flu” as your body adjusts to not having sugar or grains. Rest and hydrate.
- Days 6–15: Improved digestion, better sleep, clearer skin, and more stable moods.
- Days 16–30: More consistent energy, less bloating, and a clear sense of how food affects your body.
If you’re adding in the autoimmune protocol (AIP), you may also get greater insight into whether foods like nightshades or nuts are affecting your health.
Keep It Social (and Sustainable)
Whole30 doesn’t mean isolating yourself — it’s a great excuse to host dinners, share recipes, and inspire your community. Share your progress online, cook with friends, or invite someone to join you for the month. The accountability helps.
And don’t forget: reintroduction at the end is just as important. Use it to test how different foods make you feel — one food group at a time — and refine your long-term Paleo approach.
Thinking of starting your own Whole30? Whether it’s your first or your fifth, this might just be the motivation you need to reset your health and refocus your meals. I’d love to hear your meal planning tips, prep routines, or favourite Whole30 recipes in the comments below.
Let’s make May the month we reconnect with real food — together.
