What is Whole30? We asked healthy recipe creator Addison LaBonte to fill us in on this popular 30-day program focused on eating whole, nutritionally sound foods.

WHOLE30 101

Whole30 is a 30-day program focused on eating real food and making sound decisions around food. Unlike many other “diets” there is no calorie counting or weighing yourself during the 30 days. Participants eat a whole food diet while steering clear of grains, gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, or legumes. 

This 30 day program is aimed at eliminating foods that are prone to be inflammatory or harmful for many people. Participants report having more energy, sleeping more soundly, eliminating cravings, improving digestion and losing weight. The outcomes differ from person to person, but according to a Whole30 poll, 88% of people reported that completing a Whole30 round changed their life.

WHAT’S ALLOWED ON WHOLE30?

Grass fed meats, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are permitted. But don’t feel limited — there are plenty of tasty options you can prepare with these healthy essentials.

For a full list of the Whole30 rules and an abundance of resources, visit Whole30.com.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE 30 DAYS?

Once a round of Whole30 is complete, the reintroduction phase begins. This entails adding back foods — one at a time — that aren’t Whole30 compliant. Doing this in a calculated, methodical way allows participants to pinpoint which foods may cause discomfort or inflammation. Once participants have completed the 30 days and the reintroduction, a sense of food freedom can be found.

GO OCTONUTS FOR WHOLE30

Octonuts Nut Oils and 1-ingredient Almond Protein Powder are Whole30 compliant and can be used in many different ways. The Almond and Walnut Oils are a healthy and flavorful cooking fat made with California grown nuts that are very minimally processed. This results to a product that has great flavor and is packed with nutritional value. Toss with vegetables, make your own salad dressings, or use in a skillet – the possibilities are endless. In addition, the Almond Protein Powder is a great Whole30 alternative to traditional flours. It’s made with only one ingredient (almonds!) and works well for coating chicken, in meatballs, or in any other recipe that requires flour.

When reintroducing foods that are not Whole30 compliant, Octonuts Vanilla and Chocolate Almond Protein Powders are an option to consider. Both use coconut sugar for light sweetness with minimal ingredients and plenty of uses.

Using Whole30 compliant products makes a round of Whole30 that much easier and more delicious! 

CLICK HERE to visit the Octonuts recipe library and see how these plant-based, minimally processed products support the Whole30 lifestyle. 

ADDISON LABONTE is the talented food photographer, food blogger, and recipe developer at OrganicallyAddison.com. Addie is passionate about leading a healthy, active lifestyle without sacrificing her daily dose of chocolate. When she's not in the kitchen crafting a delicious Whole30 or Paleo recipe, you can find her out running, shopping, cozied up by the fireplace with a good book, or admiring the ocean in her hometown of York, Maine. Follow Addie on Instagram or Facebook.