Whole30 Resources Library

The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination program established in 2009 by co-founder Melissa Urban. The program combines the power of a carefully-structured elimination and reintroduction protocol with behavior change research, and has helped millions of people around the world improve their cravings, energy, sleep, digestion, inflammation, chronic pain, and other unwanted symptoms. The Whole30 is designed to help you identify the foods that may be having a negative impact on your cravings, metabolism and blood sugar regulation, digestion, and immune system. Armed with this knowledge, you can then create a sustainable, personalized diet based on your unique body, so you can feel and live your best. The Whole30 offers two different tracks: the Original Whole30 and the Plant-Based Whole30.

Both programs offer a 30-day elimination and structured reintroduction period, with the goal of identifying food sensitivities, creating new habits, and restoring a healthy relationship with food. The Original and Plant-Based Whole30 programs differ only in their protein and fat sources, and in the length of time the programs have been available. The Original Whole30 includes high-quality animal protein and encourages the use of some animal fats while eliminating legumes, including peanuts and soy. Click here to read the Original Whole30 Program Rules. The Plant-Based Whole30 does not include any animal protein and fats. It uses beans, lentils, peas, soy, compatible protein powders, nuts, and seeds to ensure adequate protein; and includes only plant-based fat sources. Click here to read the Plant-Based Whole30 Program Rules.

If you are comfortable eating two animal protein sources (like eggs and salmon, or all varieties of fish and shellfish), we’d encourage you to complete the Original Whole30, utilizing compatible plant-based protein sources (like a pea-based vegan “chorizo” or protein powder) to ensure adequate protein intake. The Original program will afford you the greatest learning opportunity, and the ability to test out a wider variety of plant-based protein sources (including legumes, lentils, soy, and peanuts) to determine how well they work for you. Feel free to consume only plant-based fats during your Original Whole30, as there are plenty to choose from.

If you don’t eat any animal products and are not open to doing so, or if you’ve done the Original Whole30 and are curious about how a plant-based diet might work for you by comparison, then the Plant-Based Whole30 would provide the best fit.

Nope! Each program was carefully designed to function as a stand-alone, discrete elimination and reintroduction protocol, with carefully selected parameters that have proven incredibly effective for the vast majority of people who complete the program. Once you choose a program, please complete it exactly as written, unless your healthcare provider directs you otherwise. Read the Original Whole30 Program Rules, and the Plant-Based Whole30 Program Rules.