Last night I completed my first full Whole30: thirty days without dairy, soy, wheat, legumes, or added sugar. I was anxious at the start, mostly because I love cheese and butter. Fruit was allowed, so the sugar element felt manageable, but giving up dairy made me nervous. I also worried because my partner didn’t join me, the pantry wasn’t cleaned out for both of us, and I even baked bread for him a few times during the month. I thought that would make things harder, but it didn’t. I genuinely enjoyed the Whole30 experience. Below I share what I learned, how I feel, and the changes I noticed.
Lessons Learned
Over the past thirty days I discovered there’s an incredible variety of satisfying foods that fit the Whole30 framework. I’d read warnings about food boredom on sites like Whole9 and across food blogs, but I didn’t find that to be true. If anything, I was more creative, more intentional about flavors, and more motivated to rotate ingredients. My partner helped by experimenting with different meat recipes and adjusting spices to keep meals interesting and compliant.
I learned to eat fuller meals and snack far less. I expected midday energy crashes or an urge for coffee or sweets, but that rarely happened. Without the afternoon sugar fix, I still had steady energy, which mattered when juggling a busy household and small responsibilities. Tracking my intake one day highlighted how much I’d shifted from prior habits: previously I relied on bread, smoothies, and cereal—choices that aren’t ideal for how I feel best. The Whole30 nudged me back toward higher-protein breakfasts and more balanced plates, which suit me better.
Now that the thirty days are complete, I’m reintroducing foods slowly and mindfully. I believe in balance and enjoy a wide range of foods, so I’ll add items back in moderation. Starting from a clean slate feels helpful: I’m clearer about which foods make me feel energetic and balanced, and that will guide my longer-term habits and recipe development.
My Results
I celebrated several non-scale victories during this month. One small but meaningful win was fitting into my original flamenco costume again. That dress was custom-made when I was at one of my smallest adult sizes and has no stretch, so it’s an honest measure of change. Being able to wear it again felt really encouraging—especially during winter when it’s harder to stay active outdoors.
The dress is also tied to a vivid memory. On May 19, 2013, I discovered I was pregnant. At our anniversary trip that week I packed a little black dress for our special dinner, but it wouldn’t go over my hips and I cried. That moment stuck with me because I already struggle with harsh self-criticism in the mirror. For years after my daughter was born I’d try that dress on periodically to see if I could wear it again without feeling like a stuffed sausage. Trying it on yesterday, it finally passed the “I can wear this in public” test. So my photo in the dress is my immediate after picture: casual hair and daytime makeup, but a real marker of progress.
In case you prefer numbers, I lost nine pounds and a couple of inches overall. I didn’t obsessively track every measurement—this dress was my progress marker and it told the story I needed.
Please pardon the winter-pale, minimal makeup, ponytail, and weird cropping. This was taken using a self timer and tripod that wouldn’t hold my camera with lens properly to take a vertical photo. The point is, I can now wear this dress in public and look cute.
Thoughts About the Program
I enjoyed the Whole30 and I plan to repeat it if I ever feel my food balance slipping. I don’t see myself living on any strict paleo or primal routine forever, nor do I subscribe to extreme diet trends, but I do believe in eating mostly whole, minimally processed foods. When possible, prioritize quality ingredients and varied preparation methods, and allow treats in moderation. Food should be enjoyed and shared, not vilified.
If you’re considering a Whole30 and want encouragement, I’d be happy to cheer you on. I’m also available to answer practical questions about daily meals, meal prep, or ways to enjoy eggs and other staples in compliant, flavorful ways.
Below I’ve listed some Whole30-friendly recipes I developed or adapted. These are recipes I cooked during or after my Whole30 and found to be satisfying and easy to repeat. I’ve preserved the recipe titles so you can search them if you want to explore specific preparations on the Goodie Godmother site.
Whole30 Recipes on Goodie Godmother (as of Feb 6, 2015):
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Latkes
- My Favorite Butternut Squash Soup (dairy-free, vegan, Whole30)
- Football Food! Beef Potato Bites (Whole30 Friendly)
- Slow Cooker Short Ribs
- Vegan Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower “Rice”
- Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Cauliflower Flat Bread
- Cilantro Lime Egg Salad
- Pan Seared Lemon Brussels Sprouts
- Cilantro Lime Aioli
- Crock Pot Applesauce (No Sugar Added)
- Rosemary Garlic Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Ghee
- Winter Kale Beef Soup
- Crispy Oven Pork Belly
- Ropa Vieja – Cuban Shredded Beef
- Mashed Coconut Boniato (Sweet Potato) – Dairy Free, Vegan
- Baba Ganoush: Eggplant Dip
- Slow Cooker Chili
- Rosemary Garlic Oven Roasted Chicken
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pumpkin Saffron Soup
- Clean Eating Cuban-Style Slow Cooker Chicken
- Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Poached Egg
- Tortilla Española
Other Great Resources:
- The Official Whole9 Life Website
- Nom Nom Paleo