6 Important Facts About Gut Health To Know
1. Research has found that those who eat more than 30 different plant foods weekly have a more diverse gut microbiota than those who eat ten.
2. A diverse plant-rich diet has also been shown to offer benefits for general health, weight, mood and wellbeing.
3. One way to diversify your diet is to consider each plant-based food you consume such as fruit, vegetables and pulses as individual ‘plant points.’ It’s similar to counting diverse colours of apples, where each colour represents a distinct point.
4. Upping your intake of different plant foods doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or costly. Simple swaps in your daily meals can significantly diversify your plant-based consumption. Additionally, canned or frozen options can be convenient and cost-effective, without compromising nutritional value.
5. It’s important to note that it’s not just fruit and veg that contribute to your plant points – legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas and whole grains such as brown rice and pasta play a significant role.
6. Don’t overlook the value of nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds or chia seeds, as well as herbs and spices such as paprika, parsley and mint.
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