Design by Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
The Whole30 eating plan is all about eating real, whole foods that make you feel your best.
But what does that mean, exactly? In a nutshell, it’s a 30-day elimination diet, during which you eat meat, seafood, lots of vegetables, some fruit, and healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds and unrefined oils. Things that are not allowed include grains, added sugars, legumes, soy, dairy, and processed food. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the Whole30 website or either of their two books.
Anyone can do the Whole30, but it takes a little bit of planning.
Since you won’t be able to rely on processed food or take-out while you’re doing the Whole30, you’ll probably have to cook a lot. And since staples like weeknight pastas or weekday lunch sandwiches are off limits, you might have to step outside your kitchen comfort zone.
All of the recipes on this list are 100% Whole30 compliant and delicious. Also, something that’s encouraged on the plan is to stop thinking of foods as being specific to certain meal times — there’s no reason why you can’t eat chicken salad for breakfast and an omelet for dinner — so the categories below are just suggestions.
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Kale and Sweet Potato Hash
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Recipe .
Chia Pudding with Blackberries, Coconut, and Pistachios
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Leave out the vanilla extract and make sure you’re using Whole30-approved almond milk (this one from Whole Foods is a good bet). The best part is that you can make this the night before, then just grab-and-go in the morning! Recipe .
Smoked Salmon Frittata with Green Onion Sauce
Recipe here.
Twice-Baked Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Recipe here.
Paleo Breakfast Sausage Scotch Eggs
What’s not to like? Recipe here.
Tomato and Avocado Omelet
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Recipe .
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Some fruit, some vegetables. Recipe here.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Frittata Muffins
Grab and go. Recipe here.
Paleo Egg McMuffin
Everybody will be jealous. Recipe here.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Kale Salad with Sautéed Apples
This one will stick with you forever. Recipe here.
Mason Jar Healthy Taco Salad
Recipe here.
Salmon, Avocado, and Sweet Potato Kale Salad
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
The dill in here gives it a little something extra. Recipe .
Avocado BLT Egg Salad
Basically a mash-up of BLT and guacamole, two of my favorite things. Recipe here.
Grilled Veggie and Grilled Chicken Salad with Tomato VInaigrette
Recipe here.
Niçoise Salad
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Recipe .
Zesty Paleo Chicken Bites
Recipe here.
Greek Meatballs with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce
Make a big batch and pack these for weekday lunches, then reheat or serve at room temperature. Done and DONE. Recipe here.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Zucchini Noodle Sloppy Joes
Recipe here.
Grilled Lamb with Haricots Verts and Coconut Milk Broth
More like Whole30 dinner PARTY. Recipe here.
Marinated Flank Steak with Cauliflower “Rice” and Mustard Greens
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Just substitute coconut aminos and coconut oil where noted. Recipe .
Collard-Wrapped Turkey Burger with Turnip “Fries”
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Eating with your hands is fun, and you totally don’t need bread to do it. Recipe .
Paleo Creole Ham and Cauliflower Rice
Recipe here.
One-Pan Chicken with Fennel, Tomatoes, Olives, and Spinach
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Easy to cook, easier to clean up. Recipe .
Chicken Thighs with Peppery Pesto and Zucchini Noodles
Recipe here.
Crock Pot Mocha-Rubbed Pork Roast
Set it and forget it. Recipe here.
Single-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Bacon, Brussels Sprouts, and Easy Apple Jus
Once you get your hands on some sugar-free bacon, anything is possible. Recipe .
Turkish-Stuffed Eggplant
Gettin’ fancy. Recipe here.
Single-Skillet Salmon With Parsnips, Olives, and Sage
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Don’t be scared to cook fish. This recipe takes 15 minutes, and it’s foolproof. Recipe .
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Peach and Turkey Roll-Ups
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Make sure you buy deli turkey without any funny ingredients. Recipe .
Copycat Cashew Cookie Larabars
Recipe here.
Apple & Tuna Salad in Lettuce Boats
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Pssst, here’s how to make your own mayo. Recipe .
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
It might be safest not to make too many at once, because these are so good that you’ll want to eat as many as possible. Recipe here.
Coconut and Pistachio-Stuffed Dates
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Recipe .
Herb Parsnip Fries
Recipe here.
Chopped Chicken Salad with Grapes, Herbs, and Dijon Mustard
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed
Recipe .
Avocado Tuna Salad
Recipe here.
Devils on Horseback with Macadamia “Ricotta”
You’ll want to put this nut-based cheese substitute on EVERYTHING. Recipe here.