I may be dramatizing--my diet was never truly horrific, but I did feel like I could have been a better example. So, now that my less-than-perfect eating habits are out on the table, let me explain why I am going to begin a program that most people in my field would consider a "fad diet."
When I first read the "rules" for the Whole30, I quickly dismissed it, as would most Registered Dietitians--there were many nutritional red-flags. Some things that are ingrained into our brains as Nutrition undergraduates:
Whoa. How do I even start? I had so many concerns with these restrictions. First of all, NONE of the creators of this program were Registered Dietitians--although some had backgrounds in related fields (of course I am biased toward my own profession and didn't appreciate the lack of representation). I felt like this would completely take away from the enjoyment of eating. I mean, sugar as a minor ingredient in my mustard is not going to kill me. And carrageenan is a thickener derived from seaweed with no scientifically-proven negative side effects. And since when does oatmeal cause hormonal imbalances (another claim of this program)? These self-proclaimed nutrition professionals say that eliminating all of this food is going to improve my energy and bloating? Where is your research? I wanted to see the science.
However, it kept coming up on social media during my dietetic internship when I was not feeling my best. I still did not understand how eliminating peanut butter was going to make me feel any better about myself--yeah, peanuts are a legume that you are not allowed to eat during the Whole30--but there had to be something more than just calorie cutting that made this program so popular. Now for the good--I liked the idea that this 30-day "experiment" encouraged listening to your body cues and NOT taking any body measurements. No weighing yourself at all in the 30 days. It claims to help mend your relationship with food and your body by really making you critically think about food choices. Additionally, it's 30 days; they are not asking or expecting you to commit for life. Therefore, I thought "Why can't I be my own experiment?" The more I thought about it, the more I thought I am the perfect candidate for this challenge:
I want to appreciate my food. I need to stop mindlessly eating. Some of the hype from the Whole30 may be pseudoscience, but there are also some legitimate points. I believe the WAY we eat outweighs (you see what I did there?) some of what we are eating. A splash of whole milk in my half cup of oatmeal in the morning may not cause hormonal chaos, but I am curious to see how my body responds to complete elimination for 1 month. To keep tracking easy, my Whole30 will be August 1-30th.
I will post short updates every few days, maybe make a video or two, but these first two posts are much longer than what I will post regularly. I plan on sharing recipes and nutrition tips too--maybe throw in a circus post now and then :-)
Fly free,
Amanda Rose
- Fad diets that eliminate entire food groups are "no-nos"
- Everything in moderation
- Any dietary advice should be made by an industry professional
- Nutrition is an evidence-based practice forever being reevaluated by science in randomized, controlled clinical trials
- Grains are good
- Low-fat dairy is good
Whoa. How do I even start? I had so many concerns with these restrictions. First of all, NONE of the creators of this program were Registered Dietitians--although some had backgrounds in related fields (of course I am biased toward my own profession and didn't appreciate the lack of representation). I felt like this would completely take away from the enjoyment of eating. I mean, sugar as a minor ingredient in my mustard is not going to kill me. And carrageenan is a thickener derived from seaweed with no scientifically-proven negative side effects. And since when does oatmeal cause hormonal imbalances (another claim of this program)? These self-proclaimed nutrition professionals say that eliminating all of this food is going to improve my energy and bloating? Where is your research? I wanted to see the science.
However, it kept coming up on social media during my dietetic internship when I was not feeling my best. I still did not understand how eliminating peanut butter was going to make me feel any better about myself--yeah, peanuts are a legume that you are not allowed to eat during the Whole30--but there had to be something more than just calorie cutting that made this program so popular. Now for the good--I liked the idea that this 30-day "experiment" encouraged listening to your body cues and NOT taking any body measurements. No weighing yourself at all in the 30 days. It claims to help mend your relationship with food and your body by really making you critically think about food choices. Additionally, it's 30 days; they are not asking or expecting you to commit for life. Therefore, I thought "Why can't I be my own experiment?" The more I thought about it, the more I thought I am the perfect candidate for this challenge:
- I can make my own food. I am inherently a foodie--I love to eat and cook and try new things. Even though the past year I was not able to experiment in the kitchen as much as I would have liked, cooking at home is probably one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. Finding the time to make my meals would not be an issue. And, I actually really like vegetables (cross my heart!)
- I know how to eat. I have studied nutrition and metabolism for 5 years--I know how to work around the restricted foods to compensate for the fiber from grains and calcium from dairy. I will ensure I get my micronutrients. Plus--contrary to some of those opposed to the Whole30--you are NOT going to become chronically nutrient deficient on this diet. 80% of your intake will be fruits and vegetables, come on.
- My gut microbiota is probably effed up. Even if this Whole30 is not what it's cracked up to be, I know I will get some benefit out of it solely by ditching the sugar. As I mentioned before, on days that I didn't have time to eat, I would only eat baked goods that I made myself on weekends. Even if it was made with pure maple, honey or stevia, it's still sweet. And there IS scientific evidence on gut microflora and sugar. Basically, the more sugar you consume, the more that microflora in your intestine crave it. The bacteria in your gut can actually send signals to your brain telling you that you need more sweetness. I am dead serious.
- I am aware of the placebo effect. Duh. But hey, if I feel better, who cares if my hormone signaling, inflammation or gut microbiota actually changed?
I want to appreciate my food. I need to stop mindlessly eating. Some of the hype from the Whole30 may be pseudoscience, but there are also some legitimate points. I believe the WAY we eat outweighs (you see what I did there?) some of what we are eating. A splash of whole milk in my half cup of oatmeal in the morning may not cause hormonal chaos, but I am curious to see how my body responds to complete elimination for 1 month. To keep tracking easy, my Whole30 will be August 1-30th.
I will post short updates every few days, maybe make a video or two, but these first two posts are much longer than what I will post regularly. I plan on sharing recipes and nutrition tips too--maybe throw in a circus post now and then :-)
Fly free,
Amanda Rose