As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been doing a lot of research into my hypothyroid condition this year. I’m tired of feeling fatigued and moody a lot of the time, even though I’m taking a daily pill that is supposed to regulate my thyroid hormones. I’m determined to feel better, no matter what it takes.

In March, I stopped eating gluten and sugar. Except for a few occasions where I consumed those ingredients, I’ve stuck to this plan extremely well.

In early June, I stopped drinking coffee. I haven’t noticed a difference in my energy level or mood since I stopped drinking it, so I may decide to have an occasional cup in the future. (But every day? Probably not. What this experiment has shown me is that I don’t need coffee to function.)

For the month of July, I’ve decided to follow the Whole30 eating plan. It goes like this:

Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc.

Do not consume alcohol, in any form, not even for cooking.

Do not eat grains. This includes (but is not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa.

Do not eat legumes. This includes beans of all kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).

Do not eat dairy. This includes cow, goat or sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir, yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream…with the exception of clarified butter or ghee.

Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites. If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.

Do not eat white potatoes. This is somewhat arbitrary, but if we are trying to change your habits and improve the hormonal impact of your food choices, it’s best to leave white, red, purple, Yukon gold and fingerling potatoes off your plate.

There’s an even more restrictive version of this eating plan specifically for people with autoimmune disorders (I have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, which is an autoimmune condition). In the autoimmune eating plan you also take out eggs, nuts, and nightshades (which includes bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes and eggplant). I didn’t want to cut out too much right off the bat though, so I’m sticking with the regular version of the plan for now.

Why am I doing this? I’m curious to see if eating this way makes me feel better. I’ve read a number of success stories written by people who have switched to paleo diets and the results can be pretty staggering. I want to be a success story, too.

What have I done to prepare? I’ve been collecting recipe ideas for the past few weeks. My refrigerator is stocked with meat, veggies, and eggs, and that’s what I plan to eat.

Will this be easy? At home, it won’t be too bad. I just need to make sure I keep my kitchen stocked, and that I prepare enough food to take to work for breakfast and lunch. Going out to dinner — either at a restaurant or a friend’s house — will be more problematic but not impossible. I’ll deal with those situations as they arise.

What will I eat? Well, here is what I ate on Day 1. I’m thinking I might post these pictures for the duration of my 30-day plan, to show people how this type of eating plan can be done successfully (it’s my intention to be successful, at least!). I might consolidate some of the posts if the daily posting become too much. We shall see.

Whole30, Day 1

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with a spicy chicken sausage, cooked in coconut oil

Lunch: Organic, grass-fed hamburger with homemade taco seasoning, avocado, and salsa (sugar-free), served in butter lettuce wraps. I also snacked on a few blueberries.

Dinner: CrockPot Beef Chuck Roast served over braised cabbage, with a side of zucchini and squash