So I've finally (surreptitiously) jumped onto the Whole30 wagon. I feel slightly embarrassed about it, because intentionally restrictive food choices is such a first world behavior. Daniel had a similar experience when he was chatting with the morning Starbucks barista. They were sharing summer plans, and Daniel tried to push back on the barista's description of our family's "summering in the US". Because the term "summering" conjures in Daniel's mind rich, possibly snobbish elitist aristocrats who own real estate that they rotate in residing. I pointed out that while we don't own property, we are rich in resources through family and friends, and btw that's Starbucks he's drinking. (Starbucks is high-end coffee in Taiwan.)
This is my rich, possibly snobbish elitist aristocrat moment, but I finally decided it's worth the admission because:
1. My two sons have major eczema issues, and I suspect it's food related. There are too many outside forces to put my oldest on a restrictive diet under suspicions only, but for my part, I can sleuth for the allergens by seeing if cutting out the usual suspects would impact my youngest for the better.
2. Due to the c-section, I have been ho-hum about returning to an exercise program. No exercise + obscenely large appetite due to breastfeeding = still gaining weight. While Whole30 is not a diet in that way, I'm hoping it will provide more structure to the way I eat.
3. Just curious about the hype. Decided to experiment directly rather than just read the reviews.
It's (only) been 3 days. I don't expect too many changes to happen on a physiological level, since I already eat pretty healthfully, but I do expect (and am already seeing) a lot of psychological shifts, such as:
1. I'm a lot more intentionally about what I'm eating, because I have to consider the ingredients. Catching myself from time to time while seasoning the food I'm about to eat, I had not realized how much little bits of honey and soy sauce I use throughout the day. That adds up, I suspect. I am feeling some sugar withdrawal/weakness. I miss chocolate a lot. A lot less snacking on that end too. Since Whole30 calls for three square meals and minimal snacking (no snacking a few hours before bed), I've had more "real meals" instead of just grabbing bites here and there as I care for the baby throughout the day.
2. I didn't realize how much I turn to food when bored or tired. Not snacking before bed has been a major change. I tend to snack then because it's one part victory that I finished another day and many more parts of indulgence because my life right now is far from what I desire so I eat (usually a lot of chocolate) to feel a little better.
3. Even after Whole30 ends, I think I'll continue to read ingredients on food items so I'll only buy the most natural (least amount of additives) items. There are sugar in everything! I couldn't even use sirarcha or vinegar salad dressing (added sugar). The TaiTai brand and Costco marinara are the only "before" sauces in the fridge that I can currently use.
4. Had not realized how much my kids depend on me to eat their leftovers before fresh food is made. Now that I've been cooking for myself only again, I get to eat more items I like but haven't made in a long time, like shrimp, squid, loofah... And I wonder why I have restricted myself just because other family members don't eat them. I also cook in more knowledgeable portions for everyone so there are less leftovers. Still some, but nothing that stretches more than three more meals. Fresh food is definitely more enjoyable to eat.
5. Changes in seasoning -- now that I can't use soy sauce and don't have access to coconut aminos yet, food has been blander than before...initially. Now I wonder if I'd been overloading on sodium because food is tasty again by day 3 without the previous level of saltiness. Plus I'm branching out into using other spices and nonsugared/nonsoy-based sauces like balsamic vinegar and stone ground mustard.
Will record more realizations as/if they arise.
