Off-Limits Foods?

Simmie

There is always confusion with those new to Whole30 on what items are specifically Off Limits for Everyone. There are a lot of people that think if certain items aren't an issue for them, then they can choose to have them.

BZZZZT! Wrong!

We've been seeing a lot of breakfast cereal type posts or as suggestions in comments lately that are NOT allowed on Whole30.

Hint: That yummy sounding pumpkin breakfast bake recipe is not ok on Whole30, per Melissa (in a pm with an Admin of a Whole30 group).

The list below comes from the Program Rules as off limits for everyone--it doesn't matter if you don't have an issue with them--eat them, then you Restart.

• pancakes (including just bananas and eggs)
• waffles
• bread
• tortillas (including cauliflower-based) also includes tortilla shells
• biscuits
• muffins
• cupcakes
• cookies
• brownies
• pizza crust (this refers to pizza crust that uses flour, cauliflower pizza crust is allowed if you don't consider it a personal SWYPO item)
• cereal (i.e., Paleo granola type stuff too)
• ice cream
• No commercially-prepared chips (potato, tortilla, plantain, etc.) or French fries either.

However, this list is not limited strictly to these items—there may be other foods that you find are not psychologically healthy for your Whole30. Use your best judgment with those foods that aren’t on this list, but that you suspect are not helping you change your habits or break those cravings.

Our mantra: When in doubt, leave it out. It’s only 30 days.

Is Cauliflower Pizza Crust allowed on Whole30?

Simmie

The answer is: it's up to you!!! The Whole30 folks have not said no, nor have they said yes -- which means each of us needs to decide for ourselves if it is SWYPO for us personally.

There are some Facebook Groups who are confused and (in my opinion) have not exercised a little bit of common sense and logic, so here is some information for you:

YES, the Program Rules and SWYPO article both say that pizza crust is out.  However, let's exercise some common sense and logic here.  This is referring to pizza crust that uses flour, not pizza crust that uses ground meat or cauliflower. We already know that "pizza crust" using ground meats is allowed... C'mon people, think it through, please!

And really, this isn't mimicking the real thing.  The truth is that nothing you can make on Whole30 will taste like the pizza you know and love. Part of the point of SWYPO is whether it duplicates or tries to duplicate the Taste or Texture of the real thing.  This does neither, altho for some, it may remind you too much of the real thing, so for you personally, it's a good idea to eliminate it.  But for most people, it's not going to do that.

From the Senior Moderator on the Whole30 Forum, on THIS post:

The Whole30 team is ambivalent about some of the ways cauliflower is being used by Whole30ers. We would like to settle the debate and give clear-cut answers to every question, but a yes or no answer may not be appropriate in this case. (Comment added 23 January 2015)

Original comment: Making cauliflower veggie muffins or a cauliflower pizza crust is fine. Seriously, I am the bad cop around here and I think your idea sounds good! :)


We take seriously the principle of not replicating conventional foods with compliant ingredients around here. If you were using almond or coconut flour as your crust, the answer would be STOP! NO! But, cauliflower? Sure. Principle is one thing, but I don't think you can use cauliflower wrong during a Whole30. (Unless you go for a cauliflower tortilla. We have a ruling against "wrappers." Google the Whole30 and coconut wraps to see the whole story on that issue. This last comment added 23 January 2015).

Review: Cooked Meal Delivery Service

Simmie Sinow

The folks at Cooked are pretty incredible people :-) They have been a Whole30 Approved Nutrition Partner for over a year and I'm so glad I have been in touch with them.

I recently tried out some of their meals and I have to say: WOW.  Every single meal exceeded my expectations.  There was not one meal out of the 9 they sent me that was not fabulous.

The cost of their meals seems to me (and I'm fairly poor!) to be a good price.  Full meals for around $12 each plus shipping.  Of course if you order a 4-week plan and 7 days of meals, the cost per meal comes down a bit.  I don't know what the shipping costs are as they don't ship to my area currently (hoping that changes!).  They currently basically ship to the midwest through to the east coast. 

Packaging and Shipment: They are shipped from Chicago and well-packed and well chilled.  These are not meals that are sent to you frozen, but chilled, with instructions on how to reheat in both the oven and microwave.

Cranberry Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken:

This was outstanding! What a wonderful blend of taste and texture there was in this very satisfying salad. The salad dressing, I need to get my hands on that recipe as my red wine vinegar, oil and mustard salad dressing doesn't taste nearly that good!
Ingredients: Romaine, arugula, cranberries, cherry tomatoes, eggs, chicken breast, bacon, almond, red wine vinegar/mustard/oil salad dressing.

Citrus Dill Salmon with 

Roasted Beet Salad

I have a feeling all these meals are going to blow me away LOL This salmon was perfect, just needed a little bit of heating up and it was really good. The golden beets are something that I've never had before and I'm definitely going to incorporate that into my meals in the future.  I've had purple beets, but not golden beets.
Ingredients: salmon, grapefruit, orange, lemon, jalapeno, beetsyes, arugula, Pepita, olive oil, Shallotte, garlic, salt, pepper

Vietnamese Style Pork Loin

I must say, I have never tasted such a tender pork loin in my entire life. And I am the queen of pork loins as pork is my favorite protein!  Sliced pear on top -- something I never thought of doing, bean sprouts as a salad of sorts underneath, which I'm going to have to try on my own as something for a different flavor.  I had to momentarily stop eating after the second bite to just savor it, it was that good.
Ingredients: pork loin, Asian pear, scallions, Fresno Chili, Thai Basil, cilantro, mint, bean sprouts, green papaya, lime, lemon, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce, shallot, garlic, coconut aminos, vegetable oil, black pepper, salt

Chicken Piccata with Carrot Noodles

Wow is All That I Can Say! This chicken dish was excellent. The only thing I would recommend is that the carrot noodles be cooked just a little bit but that may be an individual preference type of thing as well. Outstanding flavor and my stomach is very happy tonight!
Ingredients  bone-in chicken thighs, chicken broth, lemon juice, Capers, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley leaves, garlic clove, spinach, red pepper, crimini mushrooms, broccoli, carrot noodles, sunflower seeds, olive oil, salt, pepper

Breakfast Scramble

My mouth is blissfully on fire and my stomach is oh-so-happy, thanks to this breakfast scramble!  All sorts of goodies! Ham, eggs, ghee, bell peppers, onions, spinach, red potatoes, salt, pepper, and of course Frank's Red Hot Sauce!
Ingredients: ham, eggs, ghee, bell peppers, onions, spinach, red potatoes, salt, pepper, Frank's Red Hot Sauce

Peri Peri Chicken

I must say, of all the dishes I've had, they have all far exceeded my expectations on flavor and texture and combination of ingredients.  This one was no exception. This was chicken thighs, baked potato, and bok choy with an absolutely fabulous sauce that included sunflower oil, dates, Chili Peppers, cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, lemon, and vinegar.  I've never had bok choy  before and am definitely going to include it in some meals that I'm making this month.
Ingredients: chicken thighs, bok choy, sweet potatoes, cilantro, sunflower oil, dates, Chili Peppers, cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, lemon, vinegar, salt, pepper

Braised Brisket with 

Apricot, Prunes & Green Beans

This was braised brisket with apricots and prunes and also green beans and potatoes.  My mother used to make a brisket that would bring you to your knees it was so good. This brisket was more tender than my mother's ever was.  I always forget to include things like apricots and prunes with dishes like this and this has definitely got me thinking about including them more with my meals!
Ingredients: brisket, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, onion, prunes, apricots, garlic, chicken stock, olive oil, thyme, paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper

Grilled Flank Steak with Mustard

Oh my goodness, yet another meat dish where the meat was so very tender.  This was an outstanding dish, and that it had mushrooms in it (my favorite veggie!) just made me like it even more.  The flavors used in this dish were incredible.
Ingredients: flank steak, zucchini, yellow squash, potato, green beans, garlic, whole grain mustard, Sherry vinegar, dates, Cayenne, olive oil, scallions, salt, pepper