We Should Be Eating 30 Plants a Week, According to a Gastroenterologist. Here’s How to Do It

Gut health is a buzzy topic that many people are focusing on right now—and rightfully so. Taking care of your gut microbiome is essential for your overall health, as a healthy gut can support your immune health and may help decrease your risk of anxiety and depression, among other benefits.

But if you’re confused about where to start, we get it. Let us assure you, an improved gut microbiome doesn’t come from a fad diet. In a recent Instagram video, gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., helped narrow it down to a key factor that he thinks more people should incorporate into their routines. Here’s the gut-healthy weekly habit he wants you to try.

The #1 Thing to Do Every Week for Gut Health

One’s diet has been proven to affect their gut health for the better or worse, so the best thing to do for your gut health is to eat gut-healthy foods. But there’s a reason why the veggie-forward Mediterranean diet has been named the best diet for gut health.

Specifically, eating a wide range of plant-based foods each week can support your gut bacteria, ensure that you’re eating enough fiber and can help benefit your overall health. Recent research suggests that eating five different servings of plants each day may help improve your long-term health.

How many different types of plants should you be eating a week? The gastroenterologist suggests 30, referencing the magic number from a 2018 study on how plant diversity positively impacts the gut microbiome. This seems like a large number, and Bulsiewicz is aware it may appear undoable—but that’s not the case.

“We all know the diversity of plants is key to better gut health,” Bulsiewicz said. “The question is, how do we get to the 30 different plants per week without breaking our back or our bank account?” There are easy ways to sneak plants into each meal—and a few more ingredients you may be missing out on that are pantry staples you may already have on hand.

Ways to Eat More Plants

First, it’s important to note that “plants” means fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and other plant-based ingredients, so don’t limit yourself to the leafy greens (even though they are incredibly nutritious). Bulsiewicz said there are four types of dishes that are a snap to add plants to: soups, salads, sauces and smoothies.

“They’re all a vehicle to deliver [a] diversity of plants to your gut microbiome,” he explained. “Anytime you’re making one of these in the kitchen, you should be thinking, ‘How many more plants should I add?’”

Here are some recipes that incorporate at least four different plants each:

• For soups, our Lentil & Root Veggie Soup is packed with an array of vegetables and herbs for a flavorful and satisfying spoonful.
• For salads, try out this Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Squash & Chickpeas as an elevated lunch.
• For sauces, this Avocado Pesto is a fresh take on the traditional sauce—and you may already have all of the ingredients on hand!
• For smoothies, the gastroenterologist’s favorite four-ingredient smoothie focuses on plants, and he swears by it “every single day” for a reason.

But if this still leaves you unsure of what to buy on your next grocery run, Bulsiewicz has some suggestions for you.

Healthy, Easy Ingredients to Add to Your Meals

Here are the doctor’s personal favorite plants to include in his breakfast, lunch and dinner.

His first choice is seeds:“Chia, flax and hemp should be in every single smoothie,” said Bulsiewicz. This is a fitting choice, as all of these seeds aid in healthy digestion. And being a plant-based source of omega-3s, chia seeds, flaxseed and hemp seeds can help reduce inflammation, support your heart health and improve cognitive function when regularly incorporated into your eating pattern. We think Bulsiewicz would love our highly rated Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie for this reason.

Next up is beans. “Get as many varieties of beans into your diet as possible,” the gastroenterologist suggested. Beans are an easy canned pantry ingredient that's full of nutrients, whether you prefer black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, lima beans or kidney beans. Eating beans may help you meet your weight goals, reduce your risk of heart disease (the song holds true!) and can help keep you satiated, as they’re loaded with protein. Our No-Cook Black Bean Salad is easy to recommend—the 30-minute meal is a favorite among EatingWell readers.

And finally, Bulsiewicz is known for preaching berries as his go-to fruit to recommend, and it doesn’t stop here. 

“Why would you choose just one? They’re all so lovely,” he said. This means that blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are on the list. They’re all packed with antioxidants like vitamin A and polyphenols, meaning that they’re great for your gut and decreasing inflammation in the body. Enjoy berries as a delicious handful to snack on, or use them as a fresh topping for yogurt or cereal.

The Bottom Line

There are many ways to incorporate more plants into your regular eating pattern, whether that’s sprinkling blueberries and chia seeds on top of your oatmeal, or using up your seasonal produce and canned beans for a comforting soup. The most important thing is making sure you’re prioritizing both health and taste so you can enjoy each bite of your gut-healthy meals. As Bulsiewicz puts it: “Let’s get to 30, let’s have fun doing it, let’s make it delicious.”