There's a plethora of misinformation that has been spewed about Whole30 and claims that it's some sort of "fad" diet. I guess, in theory, all diets are "fads". I will tell you that it does seem to be a popular trend currently, but unlike some of the other diets that have come along over the years, there's a culture about this diet that causes a major paradigm shift in the way one thinks about food and the everyday meal. There are numerous myths that exist regarding Whole30 and my goal is to tackle a few of these with this article.

Whole30 Is More Trouble Than It’s Worth

If you are seriously considering Whole30, you are most likely at a low point in your life and wanting to make a solid change in your lifestyle. If it were easy, everyone would be physically fit and look like a million bucks. Taking it down a few notches, even if it just means shedding some weight, it won’t happen overnight. It’s not just about changing your physical appearance, it’s also about your mindset, attitude and forming new habits. If you are adamant that the Whole30 Diet is more trouble than it’s worth, stop reading this article and do something else with the rest of your day. Obviously, this isn’t for you.

Whole30 Is Boring

Any diet can be as boring or exciting as you choose for it to be. This is more about your mindset than anything else. Is dieting fun? Of course not. Rather than sit there and whine about how boring this is, how about you turn it into a challenge or game? After all, this is your life we’re talking about, right? What can you do to make Whole30 fun? How about you come up with a handful of meals that are on a budget and something you might actually WANT to eat? Take a look at the list of “fair game” foods associated with Whole 30. From this list, which ingredients do you enjoy eating? Take the ingredients and think about meals that would include those items and how you might incorporate that into your daily routine. Much like life, it can be as boring or as fun as you choose for it to be. Like everything else with this diet, it is a CHOICE.

Whole30 Is Super Expensive

Hogwash! If you go after all of the name-brand, mamby-pamby-organic-gluten-free items, then yes, you’ll spend a fortune. It’s called Whole Paycheck for a reason? If you don’t have an extra 15 to 30 minutes to devote to your shopping experience, maybe this diet isn’t for you? Why even bother dieting if you aren’t willing to put in a little extra effort to change your current situation? There are dozens of work arounds and alternatives to the name-brands that you are used to consuming. It takes a little bit of your time to do some sleuthing, researching BEFORE you go shopping, but in the end, it’s worth the hassle. Eating real, unprocessed foods doesn’t have to put a strain on your wallet. Farmers Markets are a great source of finding fruits, vegetables and other protein sources that are direct farm-to-table. Remember that the fewer links in the food processing chain, the healthier it will be for your body. Costco, Aldi’s and Sam’s Club are three sources of inspiration that will help you save, in the long-term. Buying in bulk can be a wonderful option, if you can find the right kinds of things to buy for your Whole30 dietary needs.

Whole30 Is A Lonely Diet

Oh, boo hoo! Your family doesn’t want to participate. So what? If you have any sort of support network, friends, families, neighbors or people you know with food allergies, those will be your sources of inspiration. Family members that don’t want to participate can fend for themselves on the food-front, unless they are children. If you have a multitude of people in your life that are always telling you that “you can’t” or “you won’t”, my suggestion is that you find a new group of friends that start supporting you. Part of the problem with overeating is that it’s a defense mechanism. I can’t speak for everyone, but from my own personal experience, I am an emotional eater. When I’m happy, I eat. When I’m sad, I eat. Some people are alcoholics, others have a bad drug habit, food is a vice that, like everything else, is okay in moderation. The most invigorating part about the Whole30 diet, for me, is that while I am cleansing my body from the crappy toxins that I’ve been giving it for so many years, it’s also an opportunity to “prune” my friend garden and make some mental changes in my life, as well. Realists are different than toxic doomsayers. Realists will help you keep grounded and show signs of optimism, when appropriate. Doomsayers will be completely negative and reinforce the negative conversation you have inside your head about your own self-worth and body image. It’s important that you know the difference and make adjustments where appropriate.

Whole30 Is Too Much Work

Would you rather go to the gym 3 or 4 times per week and do some physical labor exercises that leave you groggy and sore on your off days? Whole30, as with any diet, is going to take a little bit of research (ie. Google/Wikipedia/Blogs) and a test of your patience. Gathering your ingredients, snacks and food items may take a little bit longer. If you keep an open mind and stay positive, this diet will be a rewarding experience. Doing this will require you to surround yourself with either like-minded people, others doing Whole30 or participating in online chat groups/forums about Whole30. Positive reinforcement from any third party can make a difference in getting through the day. Use the resources that are available to you and turn this into the life-changing event that you want it to be.