Smoothies are a Part of Most Health Programs, but Can You Have Smoothies on the Whole30 Program?
The Short Answer:
Smoothies can be had on the Whole30, but they are not recommended as a meal substitute.
The Long Answer:
Smoothies are a fairly common food substitute in most diets. There are some health plans completely built around smoothies as a meal substitute.
Whole30 does not ban smoothies, provided you’re not adding any additional sugar to the blend. However, it is not recommended that you use them to replace a meal. The official Whole30 website states that the program’s creators would rather you “eat a meal you have to chew instead of drinking your calories,” citing satiety as a main reason.
They go on to say that volatile energy can occur if you start your day off by “drinking a whackload of fruit.” This can trigger increased hunger and cravings throughout the day. Plus, smoothies rarely contain protein, which means you would have to double down during your other two daily meals to make up for this important component of a healthy diet.
What is Whole30?
The Whole30 Program is a short-term body reset lasting 30 days, which refocuses individuals on whole foods and forces them to really think about what they are eating.
On Whole30, participants have:
- No added sugar or artificial sweeteners
- No legumes
- No dairy
- No grains
- No alcohol
The goal of Whole30 is not weight loss, (though substantial weight loss might still occur) so I am loathe to refer to it as a “diet.” Instead, Whole30 is a lifestyle shift that encourages healthy eating practices.
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