35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to do Whole30 as a vegetarian? ›

The program is also effective for omnivores or vegetarians looking to explore or test a vegan diet. By eliminating animal protein for 30 days, then reintroducing it (if you choose), you can quickly identify the protein sources and carbohydrate sources that best suit your goals.

From the Whole30 team: this works especially well with potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, beets, and carrots. Try a mix of veggies, and add green onion, fresh herbs, or a mix of spices to change up the flavor.

Soy is an important protein source on the Plant-Based Whole30, and can be used in whole food, minimally processed forms like tofu, tempeh, edamame, miso, and natto.

No grains. While plenty of diets restrict simple carbs, Whole30 eliminates even whole grains. This means no wheat, corn, oats, bran, or even brown rice. It also forbids pseudo-cereal grains, including amaranth, buckwheat, and protein-rich quinoa.

On the Plant-Based Whole30 program, you can enjoy traditional hummus made with chickpeas! A great and healthy way to snack when you need a little something to get you through to the next meal, hummus and plant-based dips with veggies is a win-win.

Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper.

Vinegar. Nearly all forms of vinegar, including white, red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and rice, are allowed during Whole30 program. Added sugar, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, stevia, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, etc.

Here's the rule in a nutshell: If you think your less healthy treat is going to be so delicious, so incredible, so worth it, and then you take your first bite and discover it's not… STOP EATING.

Yes, both pickles and bananas are allowed on Whole30. Yet if they are a potential trigger food for you (for instance, the sweetness of bananas sets off a craving for other treats or makes you want to binge on the fruit), then you may consider including them on your “don't eat” list.

Is almond milk allowed on Whole30? ›

It's got only four ingredients: water, organic almonds, organic acacia gum, and sea salt. You've seen this in literally every grocery store, and now you know: Yes, you can drink it while doing Whole30. Silk's unsweetened vanilla carton is fair game, too.

A calorie deficit is needed for weight loss. Because of its restrictive nature, the Whole30 diet will likely help create this calorie deficit. However, unless the food choices you make on this diet become a habit, the weight loss you experience may not be sustainable in the long term.

Ideally, you should buy meat that is organic and beef that is grass-finished, but ultimately, pretty much any non-processed meat is on the table: beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, duck, you name it. Bacon, cold cuts, or other processed meats are no-nos.

Here's their official stance on coffee: “Yes, you can have your coffee. You're welcome. You can drink it black, add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, almond milk, or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew.

A flexitarian or semi-vegetarian diet (SVD) is one that is primarily vegetarian with the occasional inclusion of meat or fish. Of late, there appears to be an increasing movement toward this practice.

You can build muscle even if you give up meat, according to a 2002 study comparing a set of meat-eating and vegetarian weightlifters. Both groups consumed equal quantities of calories, and the results found that “increases in muscle strength and size were not influenced by the predominant source of protein.”

Yes, your body does not lose the ability to digest meat.

No matter how long you've been a vegetarian, you can always go back to eating meat. You may feel a little “heavy” after your first meal with meat, especially if you have a large portion. But, you won't actually be unable to digest and metabolize the meat.