The popular Whole30 program [1] has been around since 2009, but until now, there wasn't a specific program for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet [2] — until now. The new Plant-Based Whole30 program [3] just launched, and it's perfect for those who don't eat meat or eggs, but still want to get the benefits of trying Whole30 [4].
As with the original Whole30 program, this is a reset or elimination diet designed to help you determine food sensitivities (like dairy [5] or gluten [6]), or to figure out which foods may not be making you feel your best (like sugar [7]).
A few differences between the original Whole30 and Plant-Based Whole30 programs are that beans, peanuts, and Plant-Based Whole30 Rules [8] are very simple.
- For 30 days, you eat the foods on the approved list, and eliminate the foods on the foods to avoid list.
- You cannot recreate baked goods, treats, or "foods with no brakes" by using foods on the approved list. That means no bread or tortillas made from almond flour, ice cream made with fruit and plant milk [9], or brownies made with banana and almond butter [10]. This also means no vegan pizza crust made from cauliflower, no waffles made from shredded potatoes, and no pancakes, cookies, or muffins made from coconut flour. Skip the chips, deep-fried french fries, and any compatible foods you already know that personally promote cravings or mindless overconsumption (like dried fruit, nuts, or nut butters).
- And for the entire 30 days, you're not allowed to step on a scale or take any body measurements. Whole30 is about so much more than weight loss, and they want you to focus on the other health benefits you'll hopefully experience like increased energy or better digestion.
Plant-Based Whole30 Reintroduction Phase
Following the 30-day elimination part of Plant-Based Whole30, which is known as phase one, you'll enter phase two, a six- to 30-day period of reintroduction [12]. This is the period when you bring back the foods you've eliminated, one at a time, to see how your body reacts. You can choose to reintroduce just the non-animal products such as grains and sweeteners. Or if you are not vegan or vegetarian, you can choose to include animal products in your reintroduction phase — it's up to you!
Plant-Based Whole30 Resources
- How to get started on Plant-Based Whole30 [13]
- Plant-Based Whole30 recipes [14]
- Plant-Based Whole30 downloadable resources [15] such as a Plant-Based Whole30 shopping list PDF [16] and guide to plant-based proteins PDF [17]