It Starts With Food is the book intended to accompany a Whole 30 nutritional plan, an eating plan focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, eliminating any groups that tend to give folks issues, whether due to insensitivities, intolerances, allergies, or the like. At the end of thirty days, after establishing a clean slate, the participant reintroduces foods from the potentially offending groups, measuring in that individual person whether such issues exist.
The book isn’t promoted as a diet as much as a manner of eating. Some participate truly to find causes for issues. Some want to lose weight (it’s not specifically geared toward that, but changing eating that dramatically often leads to such). And some, like me, are just ready for a reset of sorts—for a clear “here are the rules” to live by for the next month while I get my body used to better eating again after several months of not being so careful. Granted, now personally at Day 31, I’m interested to see how reintroduction of the groups (legumes, dairy, gluten grains, and non gluten grains) goes. As the authors tell us, who better to know if what “they” say about food applies to you unless you yourself test those things out.
The book is approachable, funny, and interesting. Although it explains in detail why the varying groups might cause problems for some folks, the book does not get overly bogged down with technical science; instead, it explains enough for interest and support (and has a lengthy bibliography). It includes recipes and lifestyle tips, and it is supplemented by a strong online community.
Committing to Whole 30 is not for everyone. And it definitely takes commitment (I never thought I’d go a month with no gum!) (And my oh my, but it also takes patience by one’s friends when you must find those wonderful restaurants that will accommodate dietary restrictions; when you have to order in such detail; and when you’re not imbibing for a month.) But for me, it’s been good. And the book was instrumental on this journey.