If you’re about to embark on a Whole30, you want AS MANY resources as you can get! For that reason, you’re probably wondering, “Which Whole30 Book Should I Buy?”
When I did my first Whole30 in June of 2014, there was only ONE Whole30 book: It Starts with Food. It was this book, actually, that convinced us to do our first Whole30! I read it first on a beach trip with my parents to Hilton Head in May, then I forced my husband, sister, Mom, and Dad to read it! My husband Chaz and I were SO convinced by the nutrition science presented in this book that we decided to go from near-Veganism to a Whole30… the very next month!
But these days, over five years later, the Whole30 has been a publishing machine! There are now SEVEN books and cookbooks by the Whole30 team, so how do you choose? I’ll give you my personal opinion about which Whole30 book you should buy, PLUS a little recap about each below! That way you can make your choice based on what you need!
Which Whole30 Book Should I Buy?
When people ask me this question, what I really think they’re asking is: If I just get ONE Whole30 book, which Whole30 book should I buy?
If that’s the case, my suggestion is: The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom.
Here’s why: this book has ALL of the Whole30 rules in it, a super extensive FAQ that answers all your questions, PLUS it has over 100 recipes to give you ideas and keep you motivated in the kitchen!
If you’re only getting one book, this is for SURE the book for you!
Click here to grab The Whole30 on Amazon!
It Starts with Food
It Starts with Food was the very first book the Whole30 published. The original version (that I read) was actually black and green on the cover, and very much was geared toward the Crossfit and Paleo crowd that was the Whole30’s original audience. Now, with a redesigned cover and broader message, the Whole30 reaches a much bigger audience.
If you’re a trusting individual, and you don’t have to know the why behind what you’re doing, feel free to skip it! If you can follow the program rules blindly, by all means, go for it!
It Starts with Food is for the Science geek. If you want to know why you’re removing certain food groups from your diet for the next 30+ days, THIS is the book for you. It has chapters on each of those food groups, and goes IN DEPTH on the reasoning for each group’s exclusion.
Click here to grab It Starts with Food on Amazon!
The Whole30 Day by Day
The Whole30 Day by Day is so many things! I think it’s best described as a field manual. It has the rules in the beginning, and then it functions as a daily guidance PLUS a journal.
If you’re the kind of person that wants someone to hold your hand throughout this process (no shame in that!), THIS is the book for you! It’s kind of like having the Whole30 co-founder Melissa Hartwig in your back pocket…
Click here to grab The Whole30 Day by Day on Amazon!
Whole30: Food Freedom Forever
Soooooo… what do you do when the Whole30 is over? How do you go back to living your life?
THAT is what the Whole30: Food Freedom Forever is for! Whole30 co-founder Melissa Hartwig walks you how to find Food Freedom. She explains how, without the strict guidelines of the Whole30 rules, you can decide what’s worth it and what isn’t for YOUR body.
I definitely recommend reading this book sometime during your Whole30, so you recognize the importance of the Reintroduction phase AND so you know what to expect when your Whole30 is over!
Click here to grab Whole30: Food Freedom Forever on Amazon!
Which Whole30 Cookbook Should I Buy?
The Whole30 Cookbook
The Whole30’s very first dedicated cookbook is The Whole30 Cookbook! This cookbook is amazing to have in your kitchen because you can’t have too many recipes. This was the first cookbook the Whole30 came out with, and it has 150 Whole30 compliant recipes!
Click here to grab The Whole30 Cookbook on Amazon!
The Whole30 Fast and Easy Cookbook
First, the Whole30 provided us with extremely delicious, gourmet recipes. Then, following the calling of the people, they created this cookbook: The Whole30 Fast and Easy Cookbook!
The purpose of this book is just as it says: FAST. So if you live an on-the-go lifestyle, this is absolutely the book for you!
Click here to snag the Whole30 Fast and Easy Cookbook on Amazon!
The Whole30 Slow Cooker
The Whole30 Slow Cooker is more of a speciality cookbook for, you guessed it!, your slow cooker (Crock Pot) or Instant Pot!
If you love your Instant Pot as much as I do, this is the book for you! I absolutely LOVE these recipes, because you can make them in the morning, and have dinner ready that evening!
Click here to get The Whole30 Slow Cooker on Amazon!
The Whole30 Friends & Family
The Whole30 Friends & Family Cookbook solves a great problem: entertaining while on the Whole30! It’s not impossible to eat out on your Whole30, but it’s definitely harder than normal!
One solution: eat in! You can make tons of tasty meals, even for hosting, right at home! This cookbook provides you with lots of recipes for different types of gatherings.
Click here to get The Whole30 Friends & Family on Amazon!
Tell me in the comments: which Whole30 books do YOU have? Which are your favorite?
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