Is Spaghetti Sauce Whole30?
If you’re following the Whole30 diet, you may be wondering if spaghetti sauce is compliant with its strict guidelines. The Whole30 program focuses on consuming whole foods while eliminating processed foods and potential allergens for 30 days. Let’s dive into whether or not spaghetti sauce fits into this eating plan.
What’s in Spaghetti Sauce?
Spaghetti sauce typically consists of tomatoes, herbs, spices, and sometimes additional ingredients like onions, garlic, and olive oil. These ingredients are generally considered healthy and nutritious. However, when it comes to the Whole30 diet, it’s important to read the label carefully as some store-bought sauces may contain added sugars, preservatives, or non-compliant oils.
Reading Labels
When shopping for spaghetti sauce:
- Check for added sugars: Many commercial spaghetti sauces contain added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Avoid these as they are not allowed on the Whole30 diet.
- Avoid non-compliant oils: Some sauces use vegetable oils like soybean or canola oil which are not allowed on the Whole30 program.
Look for sauces that use olive oil instead.
- Watch out for preservatives: Some store-bought sauces may contain preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate. These additives should be avoided during the Whole30 challenge.
Making Your Own Spaghetti Sauce
If you want to ensure your spaghetti sauce is compliant with the Whole30 guidelines, making your own is a great option. This way, you have complete control over the ingredients used.
To make a simple Whole30-friendly spaghetti sauce, you’ll need the following:
- Tomatoes: Use canned or fresh tomatoes as the base of your sauce.
- Herbs and Spices: Add flavor to your sauce with basil, oregano, thyme, and any other herbs you enjoy.
- Onions and Garlic: Sauté onions and garlic in compliant oil like olive oil before adding them to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Season your sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Avoiding Non-Compliant Ingredients
While making your own spaghetti sauce is a great way to control the ingredients, it’s important to avoid non-compliant additions such as sugar or non-compliant oils. Make sure to read labels on canned tomatoes as well, as some may contain hidden sugars or additives.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, whether spaghetti sauce is Whole30 compliant depends on the specific brand and ingredients used. It’s crucial to read labels carefully and avoid added sugars, non-compliant oils, and preservatives.
If you want to be absolutely sure your spaghetti sauce is Whole30-friendly, making your own using compliant ingredients is the best approach. Enjoying a delicious plate of spaghetti while staying true to the Whole30 diet is definitely possible!