My husband is doing the Whole 30 Diet

Two weeks ago, my husband told me he had gotten off the phone with one of his best friends who now lives in California. This friend is his fraternity brother from college days 20+ years ago, groomsman at our wedding, Godfather to our middle child - like family. JNP declared, "I'm no longer eating sugar or carbs". Ok, so most wives may roll their eyes or let out a giant exhale but truthfully, I was very excited for my husband.  He is overworked to the point of exhaustion, rarely goes to the gym anymore and is not only overweight, but just lacks general direction in life. To put it bluntly, he has no interests or habits outside of work. I was supportive.

Day One: He enthusiastically made four trips to Trader Joe's and loaded up on all kinds of crap. I mean, "approved food". This consisted mostly of dried fruits, jerky of some sort, chicken. Its of it. Kombucha, oh God! The Kombucha. So I didn't say anything, just observed. I went ahead and prepared meals for the children an myself, noting that shopping bags were strewn everywhere, and while, yes he was actually cooking for myself, the pots and pans were left out after and my beloved stove was not wiped down. I chose to still say nothing because in the greater scheme of things, I was so thrilled he had some sort of interest and direction with his health.

As the week went on, this continued, his trips to Trader Joes increased and by now I was observing and evaluating his movements and thinking to myself, this was not efficient at all. I still didn't know exactly what "diet" he was on or what he could eat or couldn't eat.  I had, however, realized that most things he said "I can't eat that" to me.  I had by now ascertained he was not eating carbs, sugar, processed food, dairy, juice, desserts, chocolate, salt, pepper, salad dressing, spices of any kind, oil. Basically, flavor, I was dubious but stayed silent.  I was secretly plotting to intervene just so I could help him a little with this new fervent for the supermarket.

By the end of that week, we had dined out and I noted he was (surprisingly) sticking to this meal plan. I was actually very impressed and I think having his buddy keep in check was the key in this success. But at the restaurant, he had ordered a grilled salmon with nothing on it and a side of spinach. I kept thinking, surely there's more to this diet than this kind of food??

On Monday of week two, I headed to the grocery store after my morning Pilates class, planning to shop for the beginning of the week. I walked around taking items off the shelf and then putting them back, not knowing what I could cook or buy. I was assuming I could fry him some tofu with some vegetables. So, I called him, he was at work.
"Do you want tofu for dinner?"
"I can't eat it."
"How about black beans?"
"I'm pretty sure I can't eat that"
"black rice?"
"no rice"
So then I said, "how about you have Jim tell me what I can buy. It will make grocery shopping and meal prep so much easier for you if I can help"

Five minutes go by and my phone vibrates. Group text.
No soy. No rice says Jim
Can you tell me the name of this diet? I respond
It's not a diet, it's a nutritional reset
(yeah...yeah... just give me the GD name of it!!)
yes, sorry, can you tell me what JNP can and cannot eat? It will help me a lot
Look up Whole 30

OMFG. Now I knew exactly what JNP was doing! I don't think he knew what he was doing, but I sure did! I've had a whole lot of friends Insta their Whole30 'journeys', some with their husbands, some with other girlfriends! I had instant flashbacks in my head of all those potato-hash-fried egg- breakfasts, avocado on lettuce with beef tips, bowls of green vegetables and chicken on top. Got it!

JNP Do you realize you're doing the Whole30?
Um...no.

Texts went back and forth (if you're interested, click this link for more details on the Whole 30). I bought a cart of green veggies, potatoes (yes they are allowed JNP!), Wild Sockeye Salmon, ghee (also allowed).

There were a bunch of confused texts the came from my husband after, all along the lines of I can actually eat that? Yes, dear! You can actually have flavor! Poor guy had been cutting out salt, pepper and spices!

So.... It's been about 3 weeks now and the biggest thing I've noticed is JNP's attitude. He is much happier. I asked him about it, he said "it's given me something to focus on outside of work. I like going and getting my chicken and snacks.  The biggest thing is, I did' realize how much I missed Jim.  Doing this together makes me call him several times a day and we talk about what we are eating, or I ring him to ask him questions. Before that, I would call him maybe once a month".

If you're wondering, I definitely think JNP has lost weight but the more important thing is I have noticed how much of a better mood he is in. He seems interested in something non-work related. He was never one to cook before and now he is in the kitchen (messing it up, yes, but also cooking!). He is definitely a little obsessed with the Kombucha...I'm half expecting him to start doing yoga (not opposed to it!)... he even borrowed a colleague's Sam's Club card to buy a case of it (it was half the price of WholeFoods apparently).  JNP also didn't eat a lot of vegetables before this 'nutritional reset' and now he'll eat big bowls of it. Every  night, I make a big pot of various steamed green vegetables, they're delicious! My seven-year old devours them! I just steam them for a minute or two, then fry lightly in a touch of ghee and a garlic clove, and add salt and pepper to it off the heat.

I'm extremely proud of JNP and very supportive and I just hope he can keep up the woodwork. Even though, I literally just called him to let him know his bar hopping antics of Friday night were not Whole30 'approved'. Oh well, a little cheat here and there is not harmful!