Hello, I'm a registered dietitian with expertise in nutrition and dietary guidelines. I can help you understand the differences between the Whole30 and the Paleo diet.

The Whole30 and the Paleo diet share some similarities, but they are not the same. Both diets are considered elimination diets, meaning they eliminate certain food groups. This is often done to identify food sensitivities and improve overall health. However, the specific food groups they eliminate differ, and they have different goals.

The Whole30 is a 30-day program focused on eliminating certain foods to reset your relationship with food and break unhealthy eating habits. It eliminates:

* All grains, including wheat, rice, and corn
* Legumes like beans, lentils, and peanuts
* Dairy
* Added sugar
* Alcohol
* Processed foods
* Sulfites
* MSG
* Carrageenan
* Soy (although soy sauce is sometimes allowed)
* Peas (as they are technically a legume)

The Whole30 emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, and seeds. It also encourages mindful eating and helps individuals develop healthy eating habits for life.

The Paleo diet, on the other hand, is based on the idea of eating like our paleolithic ancestors, who were hunter-gatherers. It focuses on consuming **foods that were available in the Paleolithic era**:

* Meat
* Fish
* Poultry
* Eggs
* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Nuts
* Seeds

The Paleo diet eliminates foods that were not readily available to our ancestors, such as:

* Grains
* Legumes
* Dairy
* Processed foods
* Refined sugar

While both diets share similarities in eliminating certain food groups, the Whole30 focuses on **improving overall health and establishing a healthy relationship with food**, while the Paleo diet emphasizes eating like our ancestors.

The key difference lies in their goals and the specific foods they eliminate. The Whole30 is a temporary program designed to reset your relationship with food, while the Paleo diet is often a long-term lifestyle choice.

**Here's a table summarizing the key differences:**

| Feature | Whole30 | Paleo Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Reset relationship with food, break unhealthy habits | Eat like our ancestors, focus on whole, unprocessed foods |
| Duration | 30 days | Indefinite |
| Eliminated Foods | Grains, legumes, dairy, added sugar, alcohol, processed foods, sulfites, MSG, carrageenan, soy (sometimes), peas | Grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods, refined sugar |
| Allowed Foods | Whole, unprocessed foods: fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds | Whole, unprocessed foods: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds |

In conclusion, while the Whole30 and the Paleo diet share some similarities, they differ in their goals and the specific foods they eliminate. The Whole30 is a temporary program focused on resetting your relationship with food, while the Paleo diet is often a long-term lifestyle choice. It's important to understand the nuances of each diet and choose the one that best aligns with your personal health goals and preferences.

If you have any specific questions about either diet, please don't hesitate to ask. I am here to help!
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In basic terms, it is the Paleo Vegan diet, or so many have called it. It eliminates out even more foods than Paleo, most specifically dairy, grains, sugars, and alcohol. Here is a weekly Paleo meal plan and a weekly Whole30 meal plan.read more >>