35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

What is the vegetarian version of Whole30? ›

The Plant-Based Whole30 was launched in March 2022, after two years in development. The Plant-Based Whole30 does not include any animal protein and fats. It uses beans, lentils, peas, soy, compatible protein powders, nuts, and seeds to ensure adequate protein; and includes only plant-based fat sources.

Let's start with a food list of what you can eat on Whole30: All vegetables, including potatoes. Fruit, including strawberries, watermelon, apples, oranges, and bananas. Seafood, such as fish, oysters, shrimp, and mussels.

Grab a pencil, because you're going to want to add these other options to your list. 21. Brussels Sprouts. Pair this delicious and hardy vegetable with a few other Whole30-approved items in this Brussels Sprout, Asparagus, and Broccoli Saute.

Vegetables: All veggies, including carb-rich potatoes, are allowed during Whole30. A healthy mix of different vegetables both cooked and raw is recommended.

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. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).

A vegan diet is another form of vegetarianism where only plant foods are eaten and all foods from animal sources are avoided (meat, seafood, dairy, eggs and sometimes honey and gelatine).

Just One Bite

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, you can have your coffee. You're welcome. You can drink it black; add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, or almond milk; blend in Bub's MCT oil; or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew.

When you're on Whole30, toast, cereal, and oatmeal won't fly. But that doesn't mean you have to eat a plate of boring scrambled eggs each and every day. These casseroles, egg cups, breakfast stacks, and more will have you looking forward to your morning meal—and full way beyond your morning commute.

Traditional hummus is made from garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), which are a legume and Plant-Based Whole30 compatible. Just read your labels to make sure your hummus doesn't contain dairy or other ingredients that aren't a fit for the Plant-Based Whole30.

How to get protein on Whole30? ›

Hit the dairy case for organic, pastured eggs - even at $5 a dozen, they're still one of the cheapest sources of protein. Good choice: If you just can't afford grass-fed or pastured meat, go for ruminant animals (beef, lamb, goat, elk, bison, venison), fish and eggs first; chicken and pork second.

Naked Bacon

Original Whole30 Approved Bacon – Ingredients: Pork, Water, Spices & Sea Salt. Naked Bacon No Sugar – Ingredients: Pork, Water, Spices & Sea Salt. Sugar Free Jalapeño Bacon – Ingredients: Pork, Water, Spices & Sea Salt. Sugar Free Chipotle Bacon – Ingredients: Pork, Water, Spices & Sea Salt.

However, being a semi-vegetarian—also known as a "flexitarian" (or "flexible vegetarian")—often means you mostly eat plant-based foods and occasionally eat chicken, fish, dairy products, and eggs, and rarely (if ever) eat red meat.

For example, no sugar is allowed in the Whole 30 but only refined sugar is cut out of the Paleo diet. The Whole 30 is meant to be consumed for 30 days, whereas the Paleo diet is designed to be a long-term diet. Both diets focus on eliminating grains, legumes, and dairy, processed foods, sugar, and salt.

The Plant-Based Whole30 program eschews all animal products but allows for legumes and minimally processed soy—think tofu, tempeh, and edamame. Textured soy products (TVP, used in many plant-based meats) and soy protein isolate (found in many protein powders) are not allowed.

Whole30 doesn't allow beans based on the idea that they contain "anti-nutrients" like phytates. Phytates are compounds found in plants that can potentially block the body's absorption of important minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium.