Time for a New Whole 30

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.

Strict Paleo Whole 30 Days

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.

How to do Paleo – a Beginners Guide

After listening to me talk about Paleo and seeing the positive changes, a few of my friends have been interested enough to actually try Paleo for 30 days, a whole30 approach, to see how it works for them.

I got a text message from one of my friends last week, which read:

“Hey, I want to try Paleo starting today for a month, that’s the whole30 right?  Where do you shop for your stuff?  What should I eat?”

How to start paleo guide for beginners diet healthy eating plan-min

I started to reply, but it quickly became far too long for an SMS, so I sent the email below instead.

OK, it was too long to text!

I would start by working out what you're going to eat for the next week.  Where you'll be each day; how many meals you'll have at home and how many meals you’ll eat out.  Write it down!

For the meals at home, go through the cookbook I gave you and pick out a few meals.  Also look on Chowstalker and filter on “Whole30” to find some great Paleo recipes.

Do a big shop for all of the ingredients for the recipes you picked out – the first shop may be quite expensive if you don’t have many herbs and spices (which make such a difference to the recipes) – it’s a good investment though as they’ll last a long time.

The basics you need are: –

Meat.  Where you can, get organic, at the very least free range (i.e. chicken) – and if possible grass fed meat.  I have a great organic butcher near me, but Woolies and Coles have a few organic ranges

Eggs.  I eat a lot of eggs.  Pastured & organic are best, Omega 3 enriched are great – at the very least make sure they are free range.  They usually last for a while and are great for quick food – so buy lots!

Vegetables.  If you can, get organic.  Try to get what's in season, rather than imported vegetables.  In the first week or two I'd recommend sweet potatoes and squash.  It's possible you'll find it really hard cutting out refined carbs, so that is what the sweet potatoes and squash will help with.  Other than that, get a good variety of vegetables.  Most recipes call for the basics like onions, carrots, garlic,  green leafy vegetables etc.  Ignore starchy tubers like potatoes (besides, you can substitute sweet potatoes any time you'd usually have regular potatoes).  I also tend to use a lot of zucchini, capsicum and mushrooms.

Fruit.  I don't have much fruit, as essentially it is sugar, but it might be quite good for you whilst you’re transitioning to this new way of eating.  Berries are great and other good choices include kiwi, pineapple & melon.  Eat fruit whole; don't make juices with it (this removed the fibre from the fruit which increases the insulin response – also it encourages you to consume a lot more than you'd eat whole)

Fats.  You'll need to not be scared of fats!  Only cook in coconut oil (coconut oil is only found in health food shops, choose unrefined virgin coconut oil) and animal fats.  Olive oil (and other nut oils such as avocado oil) are good for salad dressings, but shouldn't be heated.  Remember – no dairy (i.e. butter) for the 30-days.  Coconut milk is another great fat source.  Get this from the Asian section in any supermarket.  I'd only recommend Ayam as it has the purest ingredients of any brand I've seen.  Make sure you get the normal version NOT the light version.  Use this as a basis for meals (i.e. a curry) or even with berries to make a berry smoothie.  Avocados are another great fat source to go with a meal.

Nuts.  Occasional nuts are great, but don't go overboard (which is hard!).  Macadamias & Almonds are good.  Almond butter is also good (used sparingly) and can be found in the macro range at Woolworths.

Drinks.  With no dairy, think now about what you'll be drinking.  Most drinks should be water, but you can add a slice of lemon/ lime and the water can be hot or cold.  You can use carbonated water.  I get lots of different types of tea (but check the ingredients carefully; you should recognise all of the ingredients – nothing artificial).  Redbush, gunpowder, chai and green tea are some that I enjoy.  You can also have tea with coconut milk.

If you're going out and options are likely to be un-paleo my top tip is not to go out hungry.  If you eat before you go out you probably won't need to eat – and if you do it will be easier to look for better options without the distraction of immense hunger.  Most places offer meat and fish – I ask for it as plain as possible and check how it's cooked.  Avoid anything that is marinated or fried.  Ask for no sauces or dressings on your meal.  I usually substitute things like fries and mash for more veg or salad.

Breakfast is something people often find hardest.  It’s easiest to get over the fact breakfast “has” to be a certain type of meal and realise breakfast is just fuel, like any other meal.  Have good food; be it last night’s leftovers or cook something up.  I find eggs a great breakfast option and often have omelette or scrambled egg with avocado and bacon.   Noatmeal is another good option for an occasional breakfast, but not every day.  I think it's really important to try to consume breakfast as soon as possible after waking up, within 30 minutes if possible.

You can get the basics from Woolworths or Coles.  The “Macro” range at Woolworths, or the “Natural Health” range at Coles have a lot of good Paleo ingredients.  Butchers (especially organic) will be a better source of meat.  Farmers markets (if you have any locally) are a great source for most things.  Health food shops are the only places I've found for coconut oil and Himalayan or Celtic sea salt.

Take a photo of yourself before you start and let me know if you can't find anything or want ideas!

Top tip – be organised and plan before you start.

GOOD LUCK!

Suz

So how did I do?  I'm sure there are lots of things I should have mentioned that I forgot…  I think it’s going to be helpful to have a list to give to anyone who asks me this in the future.  What advice and tips do you give to people who turn to you for advice on starting Paleo?

Starting the Paleo Diet in Australia? Here's What to Remember

Beginning your Paleo journey can feel overwhelming at first, but with a little planning and the right mindset, it quickly becomes second nature. The most important thing is to focus on real, whole foods and avoid processed, packaged products. Shop the outer edges of the supermarket, look for local farmers markets, and don't be afraid to ask questions about how your meat and eggs were raised.

In Australia, we’re lucky to have access to quality produce and meats — including grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and seasonal vegetables. Brands like Ayam, Macro, and Loving Earth are great places to start for Paleo pantry staples like coconut milk, nut butter, and almond flour.

Remember, Paleo isn’t about being perfect — it’s about making better choices. Focus on what you can eat rather than what you can’t, and keep experimenting until you find meals and routines that work for you.

Have you recently started Paleo? What helped you most in the first 30 days? Drop your tips in the comments — let’s help new beginners thrive!

What Happens When a Skeptic Goes Paleo for 30 Days?

Article Mission:  Trial whole 30 and discuss your experience.

Article Author:  Suz's housemate (Kevin Bees).

Male, 31, and a ‘Whole 30’ / Paleo sceptic for the following reasons:

  • No carbs?  Are you crazy?  I have lived my whole life on carbs – I am always healthy (I refuse to do ‘sick’) and amongst a hectic work life, I find all the energy I need to rock climb, play football (soccer) and run challenging marathons.  I have a marathon to run in week 3 of starting this trial… and a marathon without carbs to burn concerns me greatly.
  • Weight loss – many people find Paleo is fantastic to assist with weight loss.  I am already slight – I do not want to lose weight.
  • What?  Tea without milk??  You are having a laugh!
  • No chocolate for 30 days???  Shudder the thought.

That all sounds a bit hard.  So, why even bother with the whole30 trial at all?

What Happens When a sceptic Goes Paleo for 30 Days-min

Entrée

1.       Support my housemate and best friend Suz in her weight loss and lifestyle improvement goal.  If I was so passionate about something like this, I would want the person I shared a refrigerator and mealtimes with to be on board.

2.       Understand if the claims of additional energy are true.  (Who wants to feel sleepy after lunch when they have work to do!?)

3.       Cancer.   Understand more about what we put into our bodies in the SAD diet.  Has this been the cause of cancer in two of my friends?  Could leading a Paleo lifestyle reduce the risks of this?

These reasons alone were enough to get me started, and to tuck into the Main Course of 30 days trial, but did I like what I found as the main course was delivered?

Main Course

Like all good dishes, there are a range of ingredients that have made up my experience over the 30 days and we experience those dishes with all our senses…

What did I See over the 30 days?

Trying on the new lifestyle for 30 days was like putting on a new pair of glasses.  At first things didn't quite focus and before long, my eyes adjusted and I started seeing things I hadn’t before:

  • Nasty ingredients.  What actually are these chemicals I have been putting into my body? It’s the only body I’ll ever own and I like to think of my body as a Ferrari.  And if it was a Ferrari, fueling it with chemical waste rather than top grade petrol would cause a break down, right?  (OK, ok, I am probably more of a mini cooper than a Ferrari – but you get the gist, right?)  The realisation that even MILK might not be as good for me as I previously thought is shocking news to me.  How can I have gone 31 years without this knowledge?
  • More variety in my food.   Usually a ‘diet’ restricts choice.  I have found the opposite here.  My new lenses have actually allowed me to see things on the menu that I would have previously filtered out.  And, at home, rather than cooking up the same old, I have found new recipes that taste so great.  The coconut crusted chicken on a bed of curry flavoured veg was a treat.  Yummy.  And NoOatmeal beats milk saturated cornflakes hands down.
  • My abs.  Welcome back – it’s great to see you again!  I thought my good friends deserted me half a lifetime ago when I stopped doing sit ups at age 16.  Now my tort buddies are back in town, I want them to hang out for longer, so I’ll be doing all I can to keep them happy.
  • The sun rising.  My sleep pattern means I mostly awake naturally before the alarm clock.  A much more natural and enjoyable way to live.
  • The Bathroom and not in a good way.  I saw too much of this place in the first two weeks.  As my body adjusted to the new fuel routine… it decided it would have a bit of a clear out.  Everything is back to normal now though.  Thanks for your concern.

What did I feel over the 30 day?

Ignoring the blip just mentioned… actually very good… especially when doing exercise.

Rock Climbing –  I have felt stronger and been able to last longer on tougher walls, much to the dismay of my competitive climbing partner.

Running – endurance and recovery has meant that I could do more training in a shorter space of time.  In fact, I went out for a 30KM training run… and I felt so good I kept going and I accidentally ran 42km. (A big bonus since I had to give up at 22km two weeks earlier when I was on non Paleo fuel source).

I feel confident for the Marathon coming up now, which I was not at the start of the 30 days.

More importantly, there were some things I didn't feel over the 30 days:

1.       Carb-flu.  Is this a myth?  As a carb-junkie and cutting out most carbs (something I term ‘going carb-turkey’), I should have suffered this, right?  Something I clearly sidestepped by refusing to believe it was true.

2.       Insulin Spike.  So many times before, I became sleepy after lunch, due to the insulin spike caused when my body was digesting the carbs I had eaten.  I have not felt this in the whole 30 days.  Imagine my productivity improvement.

What did I hear over the 30 days?

I listened to an aunt trying to ‘treat’ the nephews or nieces … she offers them crisps or fizzy pop.

Previously I would heard the aunty being kind to her little loved ones, although, what I heard was – ‘anyone for a dose of chemicals that your body is not designed to handle?’  Chemicals of course that will build in faults to their Ferrari before it even leaves the assembly line?

What did I smell?

The winds of change, maybe??  Let’s have a dessert and find out.

 30 Day summary – The dessert

So, it’s been an interesting entrée and main course… will I continue to a Paleo Dessert now the 30 days are up?  Or tuck into the chocolate I have been so missing – and wash it down with a warm cup of milky tea?  And I have missed chocolate badly.  (It has been a daily habit forever).

Even still, that choice is too easy.

The sceptic has been converted and as I type these last words, I am tucking into some home-made Paleo ice cream (made with coconut milk and plenty of fruity goodness).  Thanks SUZ!

Rather than asking myself now if I will continue with Paleo, I am actually asking why would I ever go back to the SAD lifestyle?

Seriously, why would I give up the improved productivity, improved sleep pattern, increased strength and stamina?  Oh, and the Abs.  Don’t forget the abs.

It’s been a life changing 30 days for me.    And I wonder where another 30 days will take me?

And what will a 30 day trial do for you, I wonder?

Is a 30-Day Paleo Trial Worth It?

Whether you’re a full-blown sceptic or just Paleo-curious, doing a 30-day trial like Whole30 can be eye-opening. It’s not about perfection — it’s about paying attention to how your body feels when you stop fuelling it with sugar, grains, and processed foods and instead load up on clean protein, vegetables, good fats, and real food.

For many people in Australia and around the world, this kind of short-term experiment becomes a long-term lifestyle shift. Increased energy, better sleep, sharper focus, and even visible body changes are just a few of the benefits that come up again and again — even among those who started out completely unconvinced.

If you’ve been thinking about trying Paleo or a Whole30-style reset, what’s stopping you? You might be surprised by how much better you feel when you give your body what it really needs — and ditch what it doesn’t.

Have you tried a Paleo challenge like this? Share your experience (or your hesitations!) in the comments below. Let’s help more people discover just how much 30 days can change.

Strawberry & Coconut Paleo Ice Cream (No Dairy)

Whole 30 – Halfway Through

If you follow me on Twitter you’ll have seen that I'm currently in the middle (day 18, to be precise) of a Whole30.

Whole30 challenge on the Paleo Network in Australia

So, what is a Whole30?

The Whole 30 is a strict 30 day Paleo program, which is designed to remove all inflammation causing foods for a 30 day period.  This is very much in line with the 30-day trial Robb Wolf suggests.  At the end of the 30-days the idea is to evaluate how you look, feel and perform – compared to how you looked, felt and performed on day -1.  You can then slowly start to reintroduce other foods, if you wish to do so, to gain a better understanding of how your body reacts to specific foods.  In the 30-day program you eat good quality, lean meat, fish, eggs, seasonal fruit & vegetables as well as fat sources such as coconut oil, avocado, nuts and seeds.  Strictly off limits are dairy, grains, legumes – and of course all processed foods and alcohol.

How to go about it?

The weekend before I started my 30-days, I got organised.  I went through hundreds of recipes and gave them the Whole30 treatment.  There are differing degrees of Paleoness, meaning some recipes have dairy and sweeteners which aren’t allowed for this period.  Once I had a collection of recipes for meals and snacks selected, I then went through the ingredients, one by one and compiled a huge shopping list – right down to the herbs and spices I didn’t already have.  I assigned meals for the week ahead and bought everything I’d need.  I can’t stress enough how much easier this made it!

What is a typical day’s menu?

Take today for example.  Breakfast was (organic) bacon & (omega 3 enriched organic) eggs cooked in coconut oil.  Lunch was a small bowl of leftover chicken curry cooked in coconut milk – and dinner today will be the slow cooked lamb that I hope is currently cooking itself in my slow cooker at home!  Probably under 20 minutes of cooking & preparation time required today for three completely different meals.

The verdict so far?

I’d been about 90% Paleo before this recent Whole30 for a long time, so the biggest change for me has been cutting out dairy.  Not having to make huge dietary changes has meant I haven’t had “carb flu” which a lot of people seem to go through.  It has made me realise I just don’t need the dairy!  Before starting, I’d been convinced I’d go back onto dairy once the 30-days were up.  Now however, I just can’t see why I’d do that.  Dairy gave me no nutritional benefit that I don’t get elsewhere in my diet, and I’m become increasingly convinced that dairy and I might not be so compatible.  I’m always in a happy mood, but this has definitely been turned up a notch in the last 18 days.  I’m also feeling a lot less tired – and for the first time since I can remember I’ve started to wake up before my alarm clock!  This seems to have kick started my sleeping patterns too, as I’m now actually tired at bedtime.  Win win!  I’ll report back on my progress at the end of the 30 days, but more interestingly my housemate who has been doing this Whole30 with me, from a completely different way of eating!

Challenges You Might Face on a Whole30 – and How to Overcome Them

Even with the best of intentions and preparation, a Whole30 can come with its fair share of hurdles. One of the most common is navigating social situations. Dining out or attending events can be tricky when you’re avoiding not just gluten and dairy, but all processed foods, added sugars, and even seemingly harmless ingredients like soy sauce or wine in cooking. The key here is to be upfront. Let friends know what you’re doing and why. Most people are supportive, and you may be surprised how many are curious about giving it a go themselves.

Another common struggle is food boredom. You might start off full of enthusiasm and variety, but by day 12 or so, the repetition can get to you. This is why meal planning is vital. Build in variety from the start — think of themed nights like roast lamb Sundays, Mexican-inspired taco bowls with lettuce wraps, or Thai coconut curries with cauliflower rice. When in doubt, add herbs, spices, and textures to freshen up meals. Crunchy elements like toasted pumpkin seeds or shredded raw veggies can make a big difference to your enjoyment.

Whole30 and Your Relationship with Food

One of the unexpected benefits of the Whole30 is what it teaches you about your relationship with food. When you remove all the usual treats, crutches, and emotional go-tos — even the Paleo ones — you start to really observe your habits. Are you hungry, or just bored? Is it comfort you’re after, or fuel? By day 18, many people report fewer cravings and more awareness around hunger cues. There’s a sense of freedom in not being constantly tempted by snacks or sweets. You might find yourself craving a walk, a nap, or a stretch — rather than chocolate or a glass of wine.

Tips to Make Whole30 Work in a Busy Lifestyle

If you have a hectic work schedule or a family to feed, it might feel overwhelming at first. But with some small adjustments, Whole30 can actually make your life easier. Here’s how:

  • Batch cook: Dedicate one afternoon a week to cooking up big portions of protein (like slow-cooked beef, roasted chicken thighs, or pork shoulder) and pre-chop vegetables for fast meals.
  • Always have emergency meals on hand: Keep hard-boiled eggs, tinned salmon, cooked sausages, or veggie soup in the fridge so you never reach for something off-plan.
  • Repeat what works: If you find a simple combo you love (like eggs, spinach, and avocado), don’t be afraid to eat it often. Simplicity is your friend.

Unexpected Wins During My Whole30

One thing I wasn’t expecting during this Whole30 was the impact on my skin. It’s clearer, brighter, and far less prone to breakouts. I haven’t changed my skincare — just what’s going in, rather than on, my body. My digestion has improved too. Less bloating, more regularity, and a general feeling of lightness after meals rather than heaviness.

Mentally, I’m finding more clarity. Tasks that normally feel like a grind are easier to get started on. I suspect this is partly from the stable energy levels — there are no afternoon crashes or sugar dips anymore. I feel more balanced and productive throughout the day.

Doing a Whole30 With a Housemate or Partner

If you can convince someone in your household to join you, it makes a massive difference. You’ll have accountability, someone to swap recipes with, and the emotional support when one of you is having a tough day. It’s especially helpful when it comes to meal prep — you can divide the workload and share the rewards. My housemate and I take turns cooking dinner, and it’s helped us both stay motivated and on track.

What Happens After Day 30?

It’s important to remember that Whole30 isn’t meant to be forever. The reintroduction phase is key — and this is where you really get your insights. By slowly bringing back foods like dairy, legumes, or grains one at a time, you’ll be able to pinpoint what affects your body — and how. Whether it’s a sore tummy from yoghurt or foggy thinking after bread, the learnings are individual and powerful. You’re essentially conducting a controlled experiment, and it can set the foundation for a lifelong way of eating that works best for your body.

Final Thoughts Before the Finish Line

With just under two weeks to go, I’m feeling excited and motivated to finish strong. The discipline of Whole30 has been easier than expected, and the payoff in terms of energy, mood, sleep, and digestion has been so worthwhile. I can’t wait to see how the final days go — and how reintroductions help fine-tune my personal Paleo template.

If you’re on the fence about trying Whole30, I highly recommend it — especially if you’ve been feeling sluggish, bloated, or stuck in unhealthy habits. It’s only 30 days, but the benefits can last much longer.

I’ll be sharing more updates soon — and would love to hear your experiences in the comments. Whether you’re on Day 1 or Day 30, let’s support each other!

Are you doing a Whole30 too?  I’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences below