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“The food you eat either makes you More Healthy or Less Healthy. Those are your options.” (It Starts With Food by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig). Do you ever consider how the food you eat on a daily basis contributes to your overall health? I have preached on this subject for years now and encouraged readers to make even baby steps towards better eating habits. A friend recently introduced me to the whole 30 challenge promoted by the Hartwigs in their book, It Starts With Food. The 30 day challenge asks readers to accept that a good portion of the food they eat is actually making them sick; everything from your mood, stomach problems, skin rashes and low energy levels to diabetes. Their solution is to eliminate several food groups for 30 days in an effort to cleanse the body. After 30 days, you can add back one group at a time to see how it affects your body.

The Hartwigs claim that after 30 days, most people experience an incredible renewal of their health. Participants report greater energy, no aches and pains, no stomach problems, diabetes improves, etc. The book and accompanying website carefully outline the steps you need to take including shopping lists, menu ideas and recipes, sources for certain foods and tips. This is a fairly restrictive diet; no sugars, wheat, dairy or legumes. The ultimate goal is to improve your overall health not to focus on weight loss, though of course you do lose weight.

My friend Amy slowly became more interested in improving the health of her family. The Kreczmers lived in England for awhile where Amy noticed that there weren’t many processed foods. Back home, Amy switched to healthier choices in her daughter’s lunch-boxes. Then a fitness instructor talked about It Starts With Food and soon the whole class decided to give it a try.

Amy admits that the first 3 days on the whole 30 challenge, she felt so bad that she went to bed right after dinner. Her head hurt, she was hungry and extremely irritable. By day four, she was feeling somewhat better. After seven days, she noticed a difference in her workout; she had more energy. Slowly, she noticed that she slept better, her stomach never gave her problems anymore, her skin glowed, her energy level was way up and her mind felt clear. She had never really paid attention to her aches and pains before but after the 30 days, it was the absence of pain that she noticed.

Dairy was the first food group Amy added back and after two servings, her stomach started rumbling and she felt bloated. Grains have the same effect but she is able to eat legumes. All in all, the whole 30 challenge convinced Amy to make a lasting change to her diet. She avoids sugar and most grains. Her daily diet includes lots of fresh vegetables and lean protein. Though her family didn’t do the challenge, they have benefited from the change in diet as well.

Amy recommends reading the book and planning before starting the challenge. You need to make sure you have exactly the right foods on hand before you start in order to succeed. It Starts With Food is available at Barnes and Nobles or online.