What is the Whole 30 And Why is it trending?

In a culture that values good looks and healthy lifestyles above all else, we are constantly seeing an influx of new diet fads and obsessions that take over the market and promise instant results. We also see these trends backfire in big ways and prove to be more damaging than anything else.

But one trend seems to be here to stay and is offering its followers real improvements in their health, body image, and overall wellness. That trend is called the Whole30.

Developed in 2009, millions upon millions of people across the globe have taken on the Whole30 diet for reasons that vary from weight loss to overall unhealthy lifestyles. Created by Melissa Hartwig, the Whole30 examines how certain food groups are actually having a potentially negative effect on your quality of life. With most of the foods, we eat is processed and chemically treated, it’s hard to know what is actually going into our food these days, and how these foods are impacting the way we live our lives.

The main idea of the Whole30 Program is this: eat real food. No processed junk, not guilty pleasures. For 30 days, you will only be eating moderate portions of meat, seafood and eggs; lots of veggies; some fruit; healthy and natural fats; and lots of herbs, spices, and seasonings. The idea here is to eat the least amount of ingredients as possible. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, then you probably shouldn’t be putting it into your body. The longer the ingredient list, the more likely it is to be doing more harm than good.

Here are the general guidelines that the Whole30 promotes to its users:
• Do not consume added sugar, real or artificial.
• Do not consume alcohol in any form.
• Do not eat grains.
• Do not eat legumes
• Do not eat dairy
• Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.
• Do not consume baked goods, junk foods or treats, even if they have “approved” ingredients.

Essentially, the Whole30 is classified as a diet that promotes restricting certain foods, and replacing them with foods you KNOW are good for you. While plenty of people have found their experiences to produce wonderful results, we want to note that everybody reacts to food changes in different ways, and nothing is ever promised or guaranteed with fads like this one. Eco18 fully promotes eating a diet comprised of whole foods, as they ensure we are feeding our bodies with the kind of fuel that is made in nature, not in laboratories. But we also want to make sure that our readers do their research. The Whole30 undoubtedly brings awareness to food quality and a balanced diet. However, many dietitians argue that it isn’t necessarily sustainable. The way we see it, this program is a great way to press the refresh button. As long as you understand that it isn’t necessarily a long-term thing. This is a 30-day challenge to expose yourself to quality foods, and recognize how reliant you have become on packaged and manufactured goods. It is not designed for weight loss, but for overall improved health. If you have a history of eating disorders, are looking for a quick fix, or follow a strict vegan diet, this program is not recommended for you.

We at eco18 are always up for trying new things and love the idea of finding fun and challenging new ways to expose our diets to the fresher things in life. But we want to make sure that our readers understand that health is a personal matter, and making long-term changes to our diets and lifestyles is typically what produces the kind of health results we are all looking for.