14 Day Whole Food Diet Plan: Whole Food Recipes To Increase Metabolism, Energy & Lose Weight (2016)

Chapter 1. Your Guide To Whole Foods

What is the whole foods diet?

The whole foods is a program that helps you improve your health and lose weight by eliminating unhealthy foods. More and more people are struggling with excess weight, suffering from metabolic dysfunctions and feeling drained of energy. The diet plays a huge part in the way we function and this is the main idea on which the whole foods diet is based upon. When you eliminate the food groups that are bad for you, such as the sugar, grains or dairy products, you are taking the first step towards health and optimal living.

Specialists have organized the whole food diet in a way that guarantees success. Basically, for a brief period of time, you will eliminate all the foods that are bad for you from the diet. No more hormonal dysfunctions, no more gastrointestinal disruptions and no more inflammation. The body will heal and recover, the metabolism re-starting its normal functioning. You will feel refreshed, filled with energy and start losing weight in a natural manner. The whole 30 program is designed to change the way you perceive food, helping you discover healthy choices and forget about bad habits or cravings.

As there are so many diets out there, it is only normal to ask yourself what makes this particular one different. Just think about the fact that it is simple to follow, being actually an elimination diet. As you have to eliminate certain food groups from your diet, there is no cheating or indulgence allowed. Soon, before you even realize it, you are starting to enjoy eating food that is whole and simple. Because, in the end, this is the kind of fuel that you should consider for your body.

Getting started

A wise man once said that change is never easy. But that doesn’t mean you cannot find pleasure in it. The food philosophy behind the whole foods diet encourages simple eating but even the simplest meal can bring immense joy. There is no better time than now to get inspired, allowing your creativity in the kitchen to reach new heights. Don’t waste your time dwelling on the foods that you are not allowed to eat but rather break new ground, exploring new recipes and getting fancy.

As you will see in the following chapter, it is recommended that you always go out shopping with a list. So, when you start on this path, make sure that you remember to stick to your shopping list. Be sure to add plenty of veggies to this list, as these are going to be part of many meals. Sure, in the situation that you see any special products, such as some beautiful eggplants or a new variety of tea, you can straw away a little bit from your list. Remember, only for the items that you are allowed to have.

Consider planning your meals ahead, so that you reduce the risk of giving in to cravings. This is especially valid when it comes to the protein sources, as these will help you deal with the initial hunger, at the beginning of the program. Stock your fridge with foods that are rich in protein, such as wild salmon, tuna, beef or eggs. Make sure that you have them in sufficient quantities as well. Speaking about head preparation, make sure that you stock the pantry with spices and sauces, as these will help you get through the most difficult of times.

Word to the wise: don’t go through the whole diet plan as a victim. Instead, use your available resources to make this change as pleasant as it is possible. Don’t spend your time thinking about the items you are not allowed to have; instead, try out new recipes with the allowed foods.

Why should you choose whole foods?

Food is fuel for the body. It gives us life, ensuring a proper status of optimal health. Unfortunately, as we live in the age of consumerism, we drive further and further away from simple and clean food. Advertising is powerful, encouraging us to purchase products that are extensively processed, filled with additives and chemical preservatives. The food that we consume is not healthy, making us feel drained of energy, suffering from aches and constantly battling with obesity.

In the era of obesity and consumerism, the whole 30 diet philosophy proposes a return to the simpler times, when food was fuel for the body. It encourages a period in which the body heals from the bad food that was used, when the metabolism return to its normal functioning and when the person actually goes through a change. The whole 30 is not meant to be just a diet but rather a change in mentality; as the person returns to whole and simple food, the change occurs not only at a physiological but also at a mental level.

If you are tired of diets that do not seem to work and you feel like it is time for a change, you should choose the whole 30. In just a short period of time, you will see that your gastrointestinal health has improved, with the weight loss occurring in a natural manner. It will help you balance your hormone levels, reduce the inflammation associated with wrong diet choices and guarantee higher energy levels. Your overall performance is going to be improved, you will sleep better and you will definitely forget all about food cravings in the late hours of the night.