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 happens after 30 days of Whole30 diet? ›

Step Two: Reintroduction

The reintroduction period is perhaps the most important Whole30 stage. This is where you really learn how the foods you used to eat (and eliminated for the last 30 days) affect how you look, feel, and live.

How do I eat enough on Whole30? ›

Make sure you are eating enough at every meal — protein, fat, + carbs are the main components of each meal, ++ make sure that you feel full + never, ever hungry. If you're hungry, eat more! You should never feel that you have not had enough to eat.

How much can you eat on Whole30? ›

Unlike many other diets, there is no need to track calories, measure portions, or count points. Also, weighing yourself is strictly reserved for days 1 and 30 of the program. Following the Whole30 diet involves eating as much as you'd like from the approved list of foods while avoiding certain foods for 1 month.

What is the hardest day on Whole30? ›

According to The Whole30 Timeline, Days 10 and 11 are the hardest, because you've gotten past the headaches and tiredness, but you haven't started seeing the big benefits. And you're really, really aware of the things you can't have.

Why do I feel so bad on Whole30? ›

In the first week or so on the Whole30 diet, your body is adjusting, physically and psychologically, which can lead to needing some major down-time. Around day six is when exhaustion and cravings typically hit their hardest, Hartwig says. That's because your body has been so reliant on using sugar, not fat, for energy.

What is the average weight loss on Whole30? ›

Whole30 is a great way to reset your eating habits and jump start your weight loss journey. While results will vary from person to person, many people report losing 10-15 pounds in the first month.

Are potatoes OK on Whole30? ›

Are Potatoes Whole30? Yes! As of January 2021, all varieties of potatoes are included in the Whole30 diet. Yet, the catch is that fries and chips are not included in the diet as they are not considered to be “real” or whole foods.

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.

Is peanut butter on Whole30? ›

Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).

What diet is closest to Whole30? ›

Paleo and Whole30 are similar, as they both promote eating whole foods and prohibit sugar, alcohol, dairy and processed foods.

Is Chick Fil A Whole30 approved? ›

While Chick-fil-A can be very keto-friendly, and many people consider it a healthier fast-food option, their Whole30 options are actually very limited. Unlike fast-food spots like McDonald's or Wendy's, there are no real meat options since Chick-fil-A strictly serves chicken.

What is the pancake rule for Whole30? ›

Specific foods that fall under the “Pancake Rule” include: pancakes, crepes, waffles, bread, tortillas, biscuits, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, alternative flour pizza crust or pastas, granola, cereal, or ice cream. No commercially-prepared chips (potato, tortilla, plantain, etc.) or French fries either.

Can you eat bananas on Whole30? ›

What are the basics of Whole30? This may come as no surprise, but you'll want to stock up on organic, fresh produce. Basically, all fruits and veggies are acceptable on Whole30, so your favorite apples, bananas, berries, and the like are fair game. The same can't be said for your green breakfast smoothie, however.

How much weight can you lose on Whole30 in a month? ›

All I could think of was a deep dish pepperoni pizza. Regardless, I made it through the 30 days and finished the program. During the 30-day program, I had lost a total of 12 pounds and a couple of inches around my waist. I felt better and I was sleeping much better.

How long does it take to see results from Whole30? ›

It can take several weeks before you learn to trust the “hungry” and “full” signals your body is sending you—and you may not have been eating enough in the beginning, because you were afraid of all that fat. Many Whole30'ers report that they didn't feel or see “the magic” until day 45, 60, or beyond.

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.

Can you do Whole30 for more than 30 days? ›

In addition, while the Whole30 is totally doable for a 30, 60, or 90 day period, it wasn't designed to be a part of your everyday life forever.

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