28 Day Real Food Grain-Free Challenge: Signup

gluten free, wheat free, grain free

Today is the day to make a fresh start. Today is the day you have been waiting for to take control of your health. For some people, eliminating grains can be one of the most beneficial things they can do for their health. I know for me it is very important. But lately I have been falling off the wagon so to speak. Today I’m back. I hope you join me in taking this giant step forward. Let’s share information, support and recipes!

Here are the Rules:

For 28 days you are to avoid all grains. That includes; wheat, barley, rye, oats, buckwheat, corn, spelt, teff, kamut, quinoa, millet, amaranth, sorghum, triticale and rice. Grain-free starches that are acceptable are potatoes and beans.

Carbohydrates include fruits and vegetables so this is not a low carbohydrate diet. You can have as many fruits and vegetables as you desire. Additionally you can have beans and potatoes so you can include a starchy food with your meals if you desire.

If you are choosing to follow a low carb, grain-free diet, be sure to eat plenty of good fats with your proteins and vegetables. Even with the low carb version, you can have a lot of vegetables with your meals.

In order to participate in the Challenge and to receive my gift to you at the end, you must sign up for the Challenge Newsletter which I will send to you once or twice a week with information related to the Challenge. Please leave a comment on this page that you did so. There will also be information on some of my blog posts over the 28 days so you may want to subscribe to that as well in the upper right hand side bar (that is not required, however it is appreciated!)

      Here are some basic meal ideas:

Breakfast

      • cheese omelet
      • mixed vegetable omelet
      • raw milk shake
      • coconut milk shake
      • cheese and fruit — you can add some coconut flour bread or muffins on the side

Lunch and Dinner

Snacks

On Thursday October 6 (opening Wednesday night), I will launch a linky carnival for grain-free recipes and articles that will be open for 28 days. Please share your great recipes and use that list for ideas for meals! Any grain-free recipe ideas will be greatly appreciated!

Please leave any comments or questions on this Signup Page for the duration of the 28 days. We can all come here for support and general sharing of information.

Photo Credit


  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/09/5-reasons-for-my-28-day-grain-free-challenge/ 5 Reasons for my 28 Day Grain-Free Challenge — Real Food Forager

    [...] me in my 28 day grain-free challenge! Wednesday October 5, 2011 is the first day. That post is the sign up post. All participants will receive a small prize at the end of the challenge and all you will have to [...]

  • Karen

    I’m in for the challenge. Signed up for your newsletter this morning. I’ve been playing with grain free for a few months, hope to cement it over the next 28 days.

  • Ashley

    just signed up for the newsletter. ready to get this started and somewhat over with, lol, i mean that in the best way! just a quick question, why start on a Wednesday? a couple of people have asked me that. thanks

  • Miranda

    Just signed up! 

  • H_larsen

    How do I sign up for the challenge newsletter? I’m already getting your blog posts to my email daily. I’m in for this challenge and very excited about it. Hope that its ok to do while breastfeeding my 4 mo old!
    Hannah

  • Julia

    I signed up. Looking forward to it!

  • Susie

    I’m in! Hooray! I’m so happy you are doing this challenge. I am battling mutliple health problems and I *must* do this for my health. I’m a caregiver for a disabled adult child and I need to be strong and healthy for my son!

  • Susie

    I did sign up!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi H Larsen,
    Just put your email address in the “subscribe” box in the middle of this post — above the meal ideas!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Susie,
    This will be great for you!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Ashley,
    I started on Wednesday because it is the best day of the week for me to work on the blog (purely self centered! LOL) and also because I published the “5 reasons to go grain-free” post on Friday and I wanted to give a little time in between for people to think about it and maybe buy some “staples” for the diet.

    I also wanted to be finished with the challenge before the Weston Price conference in mid November which I will be attending (and speaking on the food bloggers panel!) and I wanted to clear my desk for that.

  • Tina Malone

    Not signing up for the challenge only because I have been grain-free for quite awhile (a couple of years, I think).  But, wanted to let others know that this is so worth.  Don’t consider it an event, consider it a lifestyle change.  I am so much healthier, maintain my weight with ease, my digestion is fabulous and so much more.  I don’t even want it anymore.  Who wants that nasty stuff wreaking havoc with their body?  The first few weeks will be a bit difficult as those cravings try to break your will, but it is so easy after that.  Good luck, many blessings and abundant health to those that accept the challenge!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Korte/1657887350 Mary Korte

    Okay, I am all signed up and ready to make it official. I have been mostly grain free and dabbling with GAPS for more than a month but there are days when having an extra motivator will help. Yay for challenges!

  • Lyndsey

    All signed up! I’ve been wanting to do this anyway so it’s great timing!

  • Alicia Raulerson

    I have been grain free/ gluten free since March, but have “cheated” a little more often lately…

  • Michelle

    I did it, I signed up for the challenge. 

  • Jcyoda

    Just sign-up and prepare to try grain-free.  I am already gluten-free so I wanted to take this one step further.

  • Dkd1972

    Signed up!

  • Jennabezdek

    I’m in!

  • Alexis

    I signed up for the newsletter and am excited to get going tomorrow! I will spend some time tonight getting ready since I have found that preparation is the key to success.
    Thanks for sponsoring this challenge. -Alexis

  • jen

    just signed up for the newsletter. i have been falling off the wagon as well. Thanks for the push! Up in Alaska, limited grocery we need all the ideas we can get.

  • Heather

    Just signed up. I’ve been avoiding grains for a few weeks, this will help me stay motivated!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1191564114 Suzanne Hill

    I just signed up. Is tapioca starch ok?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1191564114 Suzanne Hill

    I just signed up. Is tapioca starch ok?

  • Marissa Gossett

    Very cool! If anyone needs some grain-free foods ideas, I have a one-week grain-free meal plan and shopping list you can download for free: gutreal.blogspot.com/p/sample-meal-plan.html.

    -Marissa

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    HI Suzanne,
    Yes tapioca is a starch derived from the tuber of the cassava (a.k.a. manioc) plant. It is not a grain. It is also gluten-free.

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Marissa,
    Thank you so much for the meal plans! They are perfect! I hope you back tonight and share some recipes on the grain-free linky!

  • Emily Simon

    I’m signed up and excited.

  • Ella

    I just signed up for the newsletter and am excited to start tomorrow! thank you!

  • Lori

    I just signed up for the Challenge Newsletter and I’m in.  I had recently been thinking that I’ve been eating too many grains and wanted to do something about it.  It was meant to be that I found your blog post.  I’m so excited!

  • Karen

    Count me in on the challenge.   I know it will be so good for the digestion etc.

  • Rdluvs2dig

    Looking forward to the next 28 days!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hey Rd,
    You go girl!

  • Leah

    I signed up!  I just started yesterday!

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/10/grains-and-gluten-the-new-offenders-for-sure/ Grains and Gluten: The New Offenders For Sure — Real Food Forager

    [...] just go on a grain elimination diet for a few weeks to see how things improve. Join me in my 28 day Grain-Free Challenge. It may change your life! Mr. Pollan [...]

  • Abby

    I just signed up! I can’t wait to see how I feel!

  • Soozer

    Same here. Decided that I wasn’t going to be a slave to the “purple pill” for the rest of my life. I loved my bread but the reflux wasn’t worth it. Gave it up for good in July and don’t miss it at all and lost a few pounds to boot. Will sign up or newsletter though.

  • Trisha Sheehan

    I’ve been wanting to go grain free for a while, and essentially start gaps. Going to do this challenge, then start the gaps intro when it is finished. Thanks!

  • Kristin

    This whole grain controversy has thrown me for a loop.  I’ve only been soaking grains for 6 months and now I hear I shouldn’t eat them at all?  I think we’ll give it a try.

  • Amy

    Signed up for the newsletter. I feel so much better when I’m grain free, but it gets hard to always stick with it, hoping this will help!

  • H_larsen

    Woke today, 48 hours after starting (started wednesday), with hot flashes and the shakes…

    How long until l am through detox/with drawl? I’m assuming it will get harder before it gets easier? 

    Great smoothie = 1 cup coconut milk, banana, 2 raw egg yokes, splash maple syrup, and splash of vanilla (thanks to the healthy home economist) This keeps me full for a good 5 hours without even thinking about food:) 

  • norcalmom

    I just signed up.

  • Emily

    I just signed up (a little late, but I’ve been grain-free since mid-September so I’m on board).  Cant wait to get some great new grain-free resources!

  • Laura_johnson_nh

    Just joining in today!

  • Cindi Klemm

    Just signed up and anxious to be successful in my quest for better health and I believe this is where it will start

  • Carol

    I have been trying to do the grain free on my own so this is great to have others to move through it with me!

  • Ann

    I’m in! I need info and this challenge will be what I need to give me that extra push to truly go grain free for a month!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    HI H Larsen,
    Some people will go into  a”die off” or detox state when starting a diet like this.The GAPS diet is similar in that there are no grains allowed. While the GAPS diet is more restrictive as it allows no starches at all (no potatoes) while you are breast feeding you may want  to take it a little more slowly. Cara at Home Health & Happiness addressed this issue in a blog post:

    http://www.healthhomehappy.com/2011/08/can-i-do-gaps-if-im-breastfeeding.html

    Hope this helps!

  • Aroache1

    I signed up as well (a few days late but that just means I’ll be going a few days longer)!

  • H_larsen

    Yes thanks so much! I am also dairy free so it sure eliminates alot of foods… thank goodness for coconut products!!

  • Sharon

    I too am joining late.  Have been trying GAPS and so this will be great to join this challenge!!

  • Hannah

    I just signed up! Hope it’s not too late.

  • Marissa Gossett

    Thanks for inviting me! I’ll get some up this week! -Marissa (gutreal.blogspot.com)

  • Georgia

    I’m a little late in the jumping in, but have already kind of been doing this for years. I’ve jumped ship on the grain-free living and it’s been hard to climb aboard again. I’m hoping this will get me off to the start I need. The only concern I have is the eggs (can’t have them,) so I’ll have to improvise in that area. Also, It’s my understanding that quinoa and amaranth are not grains, but seeds. Are we to eliminate seeds as well as grains?

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Georgia,
    Welcome! Quinoa and amaranth are considered grains. So, they are not used on the 28 day challenge.

  • Helen

    I began the challenge on Wednesday of last week and am already noticing less swelling in my ankles and hands! I stopped wearing my wedding ring because I don’t want to lose it! I’m less stiff and feeling better! Now, to find some great recipes so I’ll want to stay grain free (I’ve been gluten free for three years!). Coconut and almond flour are going to be my new best friends!). Thanks for helping me start on this new step in my journey towards even better health!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    HI Helen,
    That is great news! Thanks so much for sharing.

  • Kindra

    I’ve been gluten free since July. My son has ASD, and he needs to be on the diet to heal his gut and my other son has allergies/excema, so he’s on it as well. I have had migraines for 20+ years, so that is why I’m on it. All three of us are doing so much better since starting on the diet! It really makes us aware of what we are putting in our bodies besides gluten. We have cut out anything artificial,dyes and preservatives. I haven’t felt this good in years!
    I’m joining this challenge to remove a few more grains from my diet and see if it makes a change. The first few weeks are hard but so worth it if you stick with it!

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/10/week-one-28-day-grain-free-challenge/ Week One: 28 Day Grain-Free Challenge — Real Food Forager

    [...] The 28 Day Grain-Free Challenge is still open for signing up if you still want to join in! [...]

  • Katelyn

    I am thrilled to be on this grain-free diet, and I signed up for the emails.

  • Carina

    Just signed up as ideas for grain free eating always welcomed!  Love your website by the way…..

  • Becky

    I started with two of my daughters two days ago.  We are doing well, but I realize that my body is getting used to not having grains.  The grains are easy to stay away from, but wanting chocolate covered almonds or other sweets is tempting.  We are trying to stay away from as much sugar as possible as well.  We are cooking more and eating more veggies. 

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Becky,
    That’s great! Put some butter on those veges! :)

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/10/recipe-grain-free-pizza-crust-scdgaps/ Recipe: Grain-Free Pizza Crust (SCD/GAPS) — Real Food Forager

    [...] was really missing pizza but the grains and gluten in the crust are not on my 28 Day Grain-Free Challenge and I’m also dairy-free at the moment. Years ago, when I still ate conventional pizza, the [...]

  • http://www.naturallyradiant.info Siobhan Landis

     Who considers quinoa a grain?  “Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard.” [whfoods.com]

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/11/week-four-the-challenge-part-of-the-28-day-grain-free-challenge/ Week Four: The Challenge Part of the 28 Day Grain-Free Challenge — Real Food Forager

    [...] and wait 48 hours. If there is no symptom, move on to barley, then corn, then rice, etc. See the list of grains here. Slowly go through each grain individually that you have eliminated, waiting at least 48 hours in [...]

  • Cheryl

    Just signed up and ready to learn.