The trend of dietary regimens featuring decreased carbohydrates to accomplish weight loss is still very common. The report from the Food and Health Survey for the past year stated around 40% of people in the United States attempted to go on a diet. 20% of those dieters followed a low-carb eating plan.
Keto. Paleo. Atkins. South Beach. Bulletproof. Whole30. There are numerous selections available that are low in carbohydrates, and each one has its own set of instructions.
Some beverages have become so commonplace in US society that there are even coffee drinks that have been dubbed with their title, such as keto coffee and Bulletproof coffee. Essentially, there is not much difference between the two, the primary distinction is that “Bulletproof” is a legally protected brand name.
The Whole30 diet has become increasingly popular in recent years. Is there a Whole30 coffee, too?
Let’s find out.
Low-Carb Diets and Coffee
Those not concerned with their weight are aware of some of the sustenances that are off-limits to people on a low-carb diet: starches, sugars, legumes, the majority of grains and some types of fruit, and of course, goodies from bakeries. They may be unaware that drinks can also contribute to the issue. Most low-carb meal plans avoid soda, fruit juices, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages like beer, and cocktails.
That brings us to America’s favorite beverage, coffee.
Sugar, typical sweeteners, and creamers should not be consumed (Starbucks coffee is out of the question), but some dieters choose to use coffee as an addition to their low-carb plan with the addition of fat or healthy components.
The main purpose of Bulletproof and keto coffee is to add two primary components to regular black coffee. Incorporating high-grade fats, such as grass-fed butter or clarified butter, into one’s diet is advantageous for two specific reasons. This foodstuff significantly increases the amount of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, and fat can be utilized to substitute for carbohydrates when following certain diet regimens. MCT oil or coconut oil is apparently beneficial to fat loss.
Bulletproof coffee is not a good choice to drink frequently throughout the day for those who consume a large amount of coffee. Drinking two cups of something a day is not beneficial for any diet plans because it has a large amount of unhealthy saturated fat and cholesterol, as well as too many calories.
What about regular coffee on low-fat diets? Diets such as Keto and Atkins permit coffee intake, provided that the creamers you use are suitable, like almond milk, coconut cream, coconut milk, collagen creamer, or simply full-fat cream. South Beach does not permit any type of additives to be added to black coffee, such as sugar, sweeteners, milk, cream, or non-dairy alternatives. The Paleo diet recommends that one should not have any coffee, even if it is typically consumed without any additives.
And then there’s the Whole30 diet.
What Is The Whole30 Diet?
Whole30 is distinct from the other carbohydrate reduction regimens mentioned.
Many low-carb diets stipulate what sorts of food to consume or avoid with the main objective of slimming down. The ideal combination of carbohydrates, fat, and protein is intended to compel the body to use stored fat as fuel, as opposed to burning carbohydrates as is usually the case.
In comparison, the Whole30 way of eating is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free and puts no restrictions on the amounts of carbs, fat, or protein one can eat.
For thirty days, people following a diet will not consume foods which are thought to provoke desires for more, hinder the appropriate regulation of glucose and hormones in the blood, cause swelling, and result in difficulties with digestion or the immune system. Many foods are excluded from other low-carb diets, and that list is extensive. A lot of folks are connecting Whole30 to diets like Keto and Atkins.
The Whole30 diet is designed to give your body a fresh start and get it prepared for improved health in the future. At the end of the first 30 days, foods that were cut out of the diet are gradually added back, one at a time. People on diets examine to see if certain foods have any adverse effects on their health, make a decision as to whether they will continue to consume the item or not, and then proceed to the next food on their menu.
It should be obvious why the diet is called “30”; it’s a program that is intended to be followed for a period of 30 days. “Whole” is short for “whole foods,” not the supermarket. These are items that are present in their natural state, have not been refined, and have no extra components added. Focus on eating vegetables and fruits, protein sources that are not processed, natural fats, and nuts and seeds; all of these items are examples of whole foods. When you’re following the Whole30 program, avoid eating any sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, prepackaged food, frozen food, or fast food.
Most nutritional professionals concur that eating only whole foods is the most beneficial form of nutrition, even if not all are convinced that following a strict whole foods diet is necessary or desirable.
That doesn’t answer one important question, though. What about coffee?
Whole30 and Coffee
Most whole food diets will typically permit the drinking of coffee, yet usually with limits on what can be combined with it. Whole30 is no different.
Here’s their official stance on coffee:
“Yes, you can have your coffee. You’re welcome. You can enjoy the beverage without any additions, or you can try it with unsweetened nutpods, coconut milk, or almond milk, or you can even enhance the flavor with cinnamon or vanilla beans. Keep in mind, Whole30 prohibits milk, cream, milk alternatives that are not approved, and any added sweeteners like date paste and stevia (learn more further down).
Making date paste entails processing dates, therefore it does not follow the rules of the Whole30 diet. Let’s take a look at Whole30’s opinion on stevia.
Stevia leaf is only used for the purpose of making something that did not initially have an amount of sweetness to it into a sweeter entity, although it is not processed the same way as its liquid and powder counterparts. We advise you to steer clear of this during your Whole30. Gain an admiration for the authentic flavors of your food, and don’t depend on sweetened tastes to urge you to satisfy your yearning for sugar.
This is true for other sweeteners which have been processed or made artificially; milk items and majority of creams used in coffee are also a no-go. If you like your coffee without milk or cream, then you will be happy. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to make some adjustments.
Whole30 Coffee Recipes
These come with almost no preparation (other than going to the store), and can all be ready in a space of sixty seconds or less. Who needs expensive coffee drinks?
Whole30 Latte (courtesy: thewholesmiths.com)
Combine 1¼ cups of coffee, ½ cup of almond milk, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon in a big cup, and mix everything together with a hand blender. You won’t believe how much froth you’ll get!
Whole30 Cashew Coffee (courtesy: cleanfoodiecravings.com)
Mix together ½ cup hot or iced coffee, ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk, ¼ cup uncooked cashews, ¼ tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, and a dash of sea salt in a blender. Blend until frothy and creamy. Nutty and delicious!
Precautions Before Undertaking the Whole30 Diet Program
The Whole30 is a thirty-day dietary plan that eliminates all dairy, beans, cereals, sweeteners, and alcohol, making it an intensified version of a Paleo diet.
You’re allowed to consume poultry, fish, nuts and seeds, veggies, and fruits – although it is encouraged that you limit your intake of fruits since their natural sweetness may stir the cravings that the Whole 30 diet is trying to contain.
The Whole30 program does not endorse consuming fruit to satisfy a sweet tooth, as they encourage people to disregard those urges instead of yielding to them.
This is only a small piece of the very severe situation, as you will notice.
In general, trying to make big, lasting changes to your diet within a month’s time frame should not be too detrimental. If you are thinking of cutting out whole food groups to have a ‘new beginning’, and you think that doing this restrictive routine will help you to moderate your consumption instead of instantly devouring your whole kitchen after the 30 day duration, then that’s alright.
The physiological effects of your decisions won’t be too damaging, and in the end, you are making the decisions. Psychologically, it may be a different story.
The Whole30 Authors
Meet Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig.
Dallas specialises in functional medicine, sports nutrition, and physical therapy. He is said to possess a diploma in anatomy and physiology which was accredited by Andrews University.
You only need 15 days of modular classes and the financial resources to become certified in functional medicine. Functional medicine is commonly associated with homeopathic treatments, opposition to vaccinations, and detoxes which lack scientific proof.
The CISSN (Certified Sports Nutritionist) certification is an excellent supplement for those who don’t have a nutrition degree like Dallas does. Instead of taking an exam, he composed a test containing two hundred questions and achieved a score of 70% or higher in order to receive the title. When he authored Whole30, it appears that he had only taken a 200-item exam for nutrition, not having a scientific basis in the field.
Melissa holds her Certified Specialty Sports Nutritionist qualification, extensive background in media, and her Master of Science in Health & Nutrition Education from Hawthorne University. That sounds impressive up until you understand that Hawthorne University is an online education, which is not verified.
You can make your own judgments about Dallas and Melissa’s qualifications.
It is startling, but entirely foreseeable, when people are infatuated with diet books composed by practically anybody.
It appears that Suzanne Somers, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vani Hari have been successful in bringing their dietary advice to the masses, proving that people are willing to accept whatever health information is being presented to them. Having a book listed as a New York Times bestseller does not validate its reputation. This means that too many naive individuals are trusting it. Just because a concept or idea is based on science does not automatically guarantee that the science behind it is of a high calibre, up to date, or reliable.
I have no issues with the limitations of the Whole 30 diet. I disagree with how this diet is implemented, as well as the unsubstantiated claims upon which it is based. Here’s what I mean by that:
The Whole 30 uses shame and guilt to whip you into submission
It seems that some people find it motivating to be berated in order to feel like they are doing something extraordinary and joining a privileged group of people who are determined enough to successfully finish the Whole 30 challenge. Being unable to make it through the Whole 30 can be humiliating, having to begin again whenever you indulge in cream in your coffee, a single serving of wine, or a slice of cheese. If you’ve made it to the 29th day of your diet and you consume something that isn’t allowed, then you’ll have to start from the very beginning again.
No feelings of shame or guilt should be associated with nourishment and it can be detrimental to the mind if this way of thinking about food and consumption is embraced. This methodology has the potential to be very harmful if you have any sign or past of an eating disorder.
The Whole 30 uses scare tactics and chemophobia
The program employs extreme alarmist tactics, coupled with flawed research, to elbow people into thinking that taking out healthy food is the most effective answer to their health and weight woes.
Many people recently have had strong negative feelings towards dairy products, however most of the time these views are unfounded. If you don’t like dairy, don’t eat it. You can have a healthy life without it. It’s too extreme to state that dairy is unhealthy or that it’s solely meant for baby cows.
There is no reason for the majority of individuals to do away with milk as it has been found to contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Whole30 recommends avoiding grains and legumes due to their contents of phytates and lectins. This is utterly ridiculous.
Phytates found in grains and legumes are capable of inhibiting the uptake of certain minerals, yet sprouting, fermenting, and preparing them properly can minimize the amount of phytates, as well as maintaining a balanced diet. Nobody eats raw grains and legumes, anyhow.
Phytic acid has been found to be an antioxidant and may be beneficial in defending against certain ailments.
Dallas and Melissa continually mention to people the idea that certain types of grain can cause inflammation.
There is a lack of reliable studies backing up the claim that grains are responsible for inflammation in healthy people. Research has determined that whole grains help reduce inflammation and are beneficial for our intestines; however, this does not coincide with the beliefs of the Whole30 movement.
Some of the earliest plants to be grown in the world are grains and legumes. Were the detrimental effects of whatever we are discussing as bad as they could be, we would be facing an incredibly dire situation. Do not argue that the grain has changed from its original state. They aren’t.
Bottom line? In a non-vegetarian food regimen that is well-rounded, phytic acid and lectins are not a noteworthy issue.
White potatoes and nuts have a significant amount of phytates, yet they are still permissible when following the Whole30 diet. I suppose if you are on a regimen that permits pork belly but not quinoa, you should be accustomed to this kind of perplexing stuff.