14 Recipes for a Successful Whole 30 (2024)

When I wrapped up my Freezer Challenge a couple of months ago, I mentioned that I would be starting the Whole 30 in January. Now that January is quickly approaching, I realized I need to start preparing for that and thinking about finding some great Whole 30 Recipes.

I have tried this program once before and was not successful. I lasted about 5 days. I think part of the problem was that I was not prepared at all.

This time around I want to have some Whole 30 recipes and ideas ready instead of just jumping straight in without a clue! I have been pinning lots of great recipes and tips on Pinterest. Feel free to follow my Whole 30 Pinterest Board for more inspiration!

If you’ve never heard of the Whole 30, let me just give you the highlights. It is not supposed to be a diet. The Whole 30 is about changing your lifestyle to eat healthier and reduce cravings. You don’t have to track calories, carbs, or anything. It is more about eliminating certain ingredients to help detox the body.

During the 30 days, you eliminate all added sugar, dairy, grains, alcohol, legumes, and anything containing carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites. I find it best to focus on what you can have though! That would be all real food…..any meats, seafood, eggs, fruits, veggies, and seasonings. At the end of the 30 days, you can gradually add back in some of these foods to see which ones are triggers for your body.

I know after the holidays I definitely feel the need to detox! I also want my 30 days to be successful. That is why I put together this round up of recipes to get started.

Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup

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One thing that will be different for this time around with the Whole 30 is that it will be winter instead of summer. In the summer, you can grill lots of yummy meats and veggies. In the winter, nothing is better than a warm bowl of soup. This soup is really quick to put together and the leftovers will be great to have for lunch as well!

No Bean Chili

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Just because beans are not included in the Whole 30, doesn’t mean you can’t have chili! This recipe fromHappily the Hicks looks easy and delicious. This would be another one that makes great leftovers for lunches. If you already have a favorite chili recipe, you may just be able to leave out the beans. I’ll definitely be trying this one!

Skinny Low Carb Taco Bowls

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If you have followed any of my Menu Monday posts, you may already know how much we love Mexican Food. I was thrilled to come across this recipe from The Gluten Free Homestead as an alternative to our usual tacos, rice bowls or fajitas.

Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast

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The Crockpot is definitely my best friend when it comes to making dinner. I love being able to throw the ingredients into the crockpot earlier in the day and know that dinner will be ready no matter what the afternoon has in store!

A member of my Healthy Meal Planning on a Budget Facebook Group had actually recommended Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast to me a few weeks ago and I just haven’t had a chance to try it out. When I saw this Whole 30 compliant recipe from The Rising Spoon, I knew I needed to add it to my list of recipes to try! She has another pot roast recipe using homemade onion soup mix that looks wonderful as well.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

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This looks like a recipe the whole family will love! These yummy meatballs and sauce are super simple to put together in the crockpot. They would be great served over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Asian Chicken Wrap

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This Asian Chicken Wrap recipe from Wine & Couture reminds me of something we would make with Hello Fresh. It sounds so fresh and flavorful!

Sausage and Apple Sheet Pan Dinner

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Sheet pan dinners are one of my favorite ways to prepare a meal for my family! The combinations are endless! I have never tried this combo or using pork sausage so I am definitely looking forward to making this next month. She has great ideas for using leftovers with this too!

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

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This recipe would be amazing with any meal. I would love to top these yummy potatoes with Buffalo Chicken for a very tasty Whole 30 Dinner.

Veggie Dump Frittata

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For the frittata you basically just use any veggies you have on hand that need to be cooked up. She lines a cast iron skillet with thinly sliced potatoes and then uses the veggies and eggs to complete the meal. I think this would make a great breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Deconstructed Apple Sausage

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This Deconstructed Apple Sausage recipe has so many options. You can serve it with eggs, avocados, hashbrowns or applesauce. Those are only a few options. Having a basic recipe that can be used so many ways will definitely help the success rate of sticking to the Whole 30!

Sweet Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken

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This recipe from The Whole Cook has me drooling! I’ve never cooked brussels sprouts before but I love trying new things. The best part is your whole dinner cooks on one pan to make clean up a breeze!

One Pan Dinner – Fall Edition

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Did I mention how much I love sheet pan dinners? This one says fall edition but I think it would be great any time! Gavin is a huge fan of any meal I make with chicken sausage links so I know it will be a winner for us.

Fried Garlic Parmesan Zucchini and Kale

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This Zucchini and Kale would be an amazing side dish. Just be sure to leave out the Parmesan Cheese to make sure it is Whole 30 compliant. One of the biggest benefits of doing the Whole 30 is learning how to try new foods. I know we get stuck in a rut and eat the same veggies every week. I am excited to experiment with new foods like kale and brussels sprouts. I may even jump way out of my comfort zone and eat eggplant!

Bacon Ranch Burger Salad

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This salad has changed my world! If you crave burgers, definitely give this Bacon Ranch Burger Salad a try. It uses all Whole 30 ingredients and will be one of those recipes you will want to eat all the time…..Whole 30 or not!

Now that we have some great Whole 30 recipes, we should be able to have a successful Whole 30 this time around! I will be starting my Whole 30 on January 2nd and plan to do a weekly update on what we ate and how it is going. If you already have experience with the Whole 30, please share any recipes or tips that helped you! I would love to hear about it!

This post does include affiliate links. That means I could earn a tiny portion of any sale that is made through clicking on any of these products with no additional cost to you. All support is greatly appreciated!

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14 Recipes for a Successful Whole 30 (2024)

FAQs

What are the hardest days on Whole30? ›

On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.

What is a con of the Whole30 diet? ›

The cons of Whole30: Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult. May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.

What happens if I cheat on Whole30? ›

The Whole30 diet has strict rules. The overall goal is to restrict your eating. So, if you “cheat” on a day of your challenge, they recommend you start again from day one. You're supposed to be breaking food habits and cravings.

Why am I so tired on Whole30? ›

If your energy isn't high or steady, your workouts are dragging, or your focus is meandering, it might be you're just not eating enough. Specifically, enough carbohydrate. It's really common for people to under-eat on the Whole30, and it tends to catch up with them towards the end of the second week (or in the third).

What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

I encourage you to read the whole post (and the experience that prompted it), but I'll summarize it here: If you get one bite into a less healthy treat and realize it's not worth it, stop eating.

Why do your pants get tighter on Whole30? ›

Sure enough, I was up 2.6lbs “overnight.” It's water retention and the beginning of the infamous “my pants are tighter” phase of Whole30 as the body continues expelling all the junk and getting used to a new way of eating. Day 8ish is usually a bit of a digestive adventure, so we'll see where things go.

Do you actually lose weight on Whole30? ›

Whole30 has gained a reputation as an effective program for weight loss and overall health improvement. Many individuals have reported successful weight loss outcomes while following the Whole30 guidelines. One key aspect of the Whole30 program is the elimination of processed foods and added sugars.

Do doctors recommend Whole30? ›

While the competitive crowd might agree, the doctor says Whole30 is probably not a good idea. “At the end of the day, nutritional advice should be individualized," he says. "It's a very restrictive diet, and it can cause some serious problems.

Why do I feel worse on Whole30? ›

Some downsides include Whole30 side effects like digestive problems, worsened food cravings, and reduced nutrient intake. The diet restricts certain foods and food groups, which, if followed long-term, can result in nutrient deficiencies.

Is it normal to poop a lot on Whole30? ›

Whole30. If you're used to eating a traditional low-fiber American diet—meaning not many fruits, veggies, and whole grains and lots of sugar and processed carbs—switching to this veggie-heavy diet may trigger diarrhea, Upton said.

Do you gain weight back after Whole30? ›

Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.

Does Whole30 reset your metabolism? ›

“As well, you're not supposed to weigh yourself or take any measurements during the 30 days.” The idea behind this approach is to reset your metabolism and digestive tract. According to some research studies, elimination diets like Whole30 can be an effective tool to help some people with gastrointestinal issues.

What to expect the first few days of Whole30? ›

Your body may feel differently during the first few weeks of your Whole30. Refer to The Whole30 Day by Day as well as the Whole30 timeline for an idea of what to expect. Some uncomfortable feelings you may experience during the first few days can include headaches, fogginess and feeling more tired than usual.

What happens after 30 days on Whole30? ›

According to the official Whole30® website, once those 30 days are up, it's up to you to “carefully and systematically reintroduce those foods you've been missing”.

How many pounds do you lose on Whole30? ›

My first round of Whole30, I dropped 11 pounds and 13 inches; my second round, I dropped 6 pounds and 5 inches; and my third round, I maintained a healthy weight and dropped 3 inches.

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