The Daily News – March 27, 2025

Today on the Daily News, let’s talk about our guts. Now, whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie enthusiast, or maybe somewhere in between, there is some news that might surprise you. Now, according to an article from NPR, it turns out your gut health can be just as great as a vegans. Yeah, you heard that right? But there is a catch. Our guts are home to trillions of bacteria, and these tiny microbes have a massive impact on our overall health. They help regulate blood sugar, strengthen our immune system, and even manage some inflammation as well. But here’s the kicker. What you feed them makes all the difference. According to a massive study of over 21,000 people from the us, the UK and Italy, eating a wide variety of plant-based foods is the key to having a healthy gut microbiome. So it’s not so much about whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore. It’s more so about the diversity in your diet. So here’s what the researchers found. Vegans tend to have gut bacteria associated with lower inflammation and stronger immunity, which of course, no surprise there, but omnivores who eat a big variety of plant-based foods can have just as many good bacteria as vegans. So yes, meat eaters, there’s hope for you yet. So what’s the magic number then? Well, researchers suggest aiming for five different plant-based foods a day to improve your gut health. And if you’re feeling ambitious, well,
2018 study cited in the article found that eating 30 different plant-based foods per week can supercharge your gut microbiome even more. Either way, the advice from the article is to eat the rainbow. Not so much the Skittles, but let’s say tomatoes, maybe some kale, some berries, uh, sweet potatoes and whole grains, even small changes can make a huge difference. So throw some seeds into your oatmeal. Pack a colorful salad for lunch, or add some extra veggies to your favorite dinner recipes. And remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Okay? Aim for five different plant-based foods a day. What about frozen fruits and veggies? They totally count, and they’re budget friendly too. At the end of the day, it’s not about cutting out food so much, it’s more about adding variety to your plate. Your gut bacteria will thank you and your body will too. So whether you’re Team Steak or Team Tofu, it’s time to show your gut some extra love. So drop your favorite plant pack meal in the comments below, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more tips on eating well and living better. Thank you so much for joining us on The Daily News.