I work as a doctor and I cannot tell you how full of joy I am for you to 1) hear that you are feeling so much better and 2) that you have really looked into it and researched and found good solid SAFE advice! I've seen so much dodgy advice online for similar issues and and it's great to see someone promoting useful, healthy advice that actually worked for them! So pleased for you and I hope this helps others who are struggling too 💚

Sorry if the comment is not about the actual comment, but the hair + the makeup + the green sweater… wow you’re sooo pretty

I’d love to see a what I eat in a week video where the amount of plants is counted as you go to get a real idea of how easy it could be. Very interesting video. I was in the same place with my IBS, all the tests and no solution or cause found

Trying to figure out your individual IBS triggers is incredibly frustrating and can ruin your life if you let it. I’m still scared to go anywhere, specially when I’d have to eat/drink just incase I have something triggering 😰 I think it should be more talked about just how stressful and potentially embarrassing it can feel to live with IBS. Can lower the self esteem for sure.

This is such a helpful video. I have IBS-D. I plan my days around eating. I'm always afraid of having to rush to the bathroom after eating. So much so that I won't do fun things I used to love. When you said 30 plants it was really overwhelming to my brain, but then you broke it down and now it sounds MUCH more manageable

This is so good! As a microbiologist, people think I'm crazy when I say we have an internal rainforest. But we do! And we're the only home it's got.

Would love to see a week's food diary for how you put this into action 💚

Melanie, PLEASAAASE can we have more videos from you on this subject 🙏 I have for just over 12 months now been experiencing all the symptoms you described except in my case with added stress of urgently and diarrhoea and I can honestly say it has changed my life in awful ways . I can’t get to the bottom (pardon the pun!) of it but have also been listening to people like Rangan etc and learning more about the micro biome yet I still find it all quite hard to understand. I’m so glad you are experiencing better gut health, it gives me hope! 🙏 ❤️

Oh Mellie, I’ve been watching you since 2016 days and seeing you so happy and healthy brings me so much joy 💚

I've struggled with gastritis for over 3 years despite doing all of the supposedly right things, it's a nightmare. I'd seen this Dr's theories before, but it's really nice to hear someone's experience with it. I'm definitely going to try harder to add more plants into my diet!

I definitely learned something new here. I've been struggling with IBS for years now. In the last couple of years I managed to find a drug that helped a lot with the symptoms but did not remove them entirely. Will try to implement this advice. Thank you Melanie!

I don't have IBS, but do have generalized anxiety disorder, and i feel some of the symptoms mimic one other . this video was informative

I love you Melanie! :)

That colour is stunning on you 💚 xxxx

You are amazing ♥️ Thankyou so,so much for everything! Sending so much love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Xx

Here to double down on the Glass Houses and If Only hype!! They’re sooooooo good and worth the read / listen! 💚

Hello Melanie, Thank You for your sincere content and sharing your life situations. IBS, hypersensitivity, eating disorders, relations issues are also my experience. As I remember my problems with a poo developed very early. When I was a child and had some stressful, emotional moments, I couldn't poo normally and regularly. I remember I nad to go to the doctor because of that. When I was an adolescent I started to link my poo problems with my mood and psyche. Later on I was sure that there is a connection. Same as You, I was controlled by my poo. I also decided not to go out sometimes or stay at my friend's or family's homes longer than one day. Everything started to change with my psychotherapy and even more when I met my husband few years ago. Now when I have a good relationship with my husband and being a friend of good friends I feel safe. And I'm not so obsessed with my guts. Of course O have to be careful with what I eat. Oat flakes, flax seeds, green tea and probiotics are really helpul and sometimes necessary to have a good poo. I am a lot happier, feel loved and wanted and my guts are happier too. Thank You Melanie. Greetings from Poland, my dear 😘

Thank you, Melanie. I was thinking today exactly about how to fix my gut biome, and your tips are so appreciated ❤

Absolutely would watch all videos on this subject. Just awakening to the wonder of our microbiome and so excited to heal mine! 🙏😊

i'm going through the really bad fase. Please make more videos about your journey!!

Thank you for this video! I had horrible IBS for many years, doctors always just told me to take a probiotic or do low fodmap, which I did, and never could seem to find relief. I'd go through phases of reluctant acceptance and phases of researching and trying things, thinking maybe they were working at first, but being wrong and finding myself more confused than before. Last year I came across a book called Super Gut, which got me into making homemade L. Reuteri yogurt, which lead me down a rabbit hole of making all these other fermented foods, like milk kefir, kombucha, sourdough bread, natto, and sauerkraut. All of these foods are great and I still include them in my diet, but what I think made the biggest difference for me was milk kefir. I believe that changed my life and I drink it everyday. I had wanted to try the more variety in my diet thing, but the problem was I couldn't even eat so many of things containing good prebiotic fiber for your gut, very healthy foods like broccoli, onion, garlic, apples, cauliflower, etc. I couldn't tolerate a lot of fruits and vegetables, so for me, I had to get to a place where I could tolerate those things, and fermented foods got me there. Now I support my gut by doing as you described and trying to eat a wide variety of plants :) I am THRILLED to say that I now can eat broccoli, apples, onions, and garlic and feel good. I never thought that would happen. I hope everyone suffering from IBS can find some relief. It can be a long and incredibly frustrating journey, and we all deserve to eat and not feel pain.

Love the information, Melanie! Like you, I have struggled for many years with gut issues in different ways. I would love to see more on this topic. More tips and tricks, maybe even some recipes? That would be fantastic. Congrats to you on finally figuring out your gut stuff and thank you for trying to help other folks figure it out too.

This video is relatable & helpful! Also I love the accent and birthmark 👏🏼

More videos about gut health please ❤

Easy hack here: go to a Korean restaurant and get a vegetable Bibimbap (rice dish) or Japchae (sweet potato noodles). That along with the banchan (free appetizer side dishes traditionally served with Korean meals) will cover most of the 30 species of plants right away. A lot of Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, and Mexican vegetarian dishes will do also the heavy lifting in a single meal.

Thank you for such a helpful video, i am a busy gal studying but always love your content, i binge watch your old videos and reserve your mama content as guilty pleasure viewing whilst i get ready :’) but honestly, the way you convey yourself and the subject matter of is really comforting, esp to those that might feel the same. thank you❤

I had no idea you had books on audible!!!!! I’m so excited to read them!! 💕💕💕 my daughters are 2 and 4. It’s been hard to read physical books while they’re so little so I’ve loved listening to audio books. I’m so excited!

Currently really struggling with this right now and have been for years. Found this really helpful, have been considering Hello Fresh for a while now might just give it a try. Definitely going to check out Tim too. Thanks Mel!💚

Definitely interested in hearing more about this topic!

"if you're not bothered by my accent and my birthmark" haha. Your accent is so wholemose and fun to hear Melanie.. so nice to have videos from you again I've not seen you on youtube for a while (maybe just algorithm) but making an active choice to seek this out and support it. We need normal sane healthy people on here. Thanks for being real.

I'm rereading Glass Houses right now! I read it when it first came out but I'm thoroughly enjoying it for a second time. Don't feel bad about self promoting, your books are worth reading! ❤

One thing that really struck me from Dr. Greger's "how not to die" was that we are feeding our gut microbiome. So, if you eat peanut butter, great! you are getting all the nice nutrients and calories. BUT if you eat the whole peanut, as your digestion system can't get all of the nutrients out, you are feeding your microbiome. I try to do both and get all the benefits :)

Loved this video!! And I love your accent and birthmark ☺️

This video is EVERYTHING!! You are everything. Thank you so so much Melanie for being you. I couldn't even get enough of your accent and birth mark

Very timely, especially after stressful returns to work and usually crap lunches. I'm going to aim for 30 plants myself and see if it improves my increasingly dodgy stomach. Can I also say, gorgeous cardi and cami outfit beautifully matching your "Agatha Christie study" lampshade!

I love talking about gut health, and healthy poops! I really do think it is an area of life that people need to pay more attention to! Thanks for bringing more awareness!! 💚💚

A nutritionist gave me the advice to eat some veg with every meal. Breakfast with a side of baby carrots or bell peppers, lettuce or tomato on your sandwich, or just a side of a little bowl of peas. Spinach, cherry tomatoes. All of those are great!

I witnessed my mother have serious gut issues all my life living at home and swore to myself to take care of my gut. I eat mostly whole grain alternatives, no coffee, varied Mediterranean/Nordic diet and recently no alcohol. I think that has helped me but just being intuitive and listening to your craving I think is a good standard (if you have a healthy relationship with food)

Loved this topic! Haven't heard of the 30 plants thing before but gonna try it!

Great video Melanie, as always! Will be keeping notes of my plants from now on ❤

thanks Mel!! I will defo be trying this this year. Can't wait to see more videos on similar topics!!

Love the health / wellbeing content Melanie! 💚

💚 I developed IBS in my first year of nursing school when I was doing 9 courses a semester. Terrible heartburn and vomiting because stress was playing hopscotch with my tummy. Initially tried a prescription antacid, but didnt want to rely on this long term. With the advent of IBS also came the bowel issues, extra gas, bloat unlike what I'd experienced before, and some sensitivity to bread/pastas (which is a tragedy as I'm half Italian), and some milk products. I would also get terrible stomach cramps if I ate early in the morning or if i did a savory breakfast. Some changes I made that helped were switching to almond milk in cereal (regular milk in coffee or baking was fine, and oddly enough I'm fine with yogurt and cheese, it's just the straight milk or ice cream that makes me ill. I have however now switched to a brand of lactose free milk that tastes like normal milk as I have a family history of osteoporosis and was worried I wasnt getting enough calcium and vitamin D), eating less bread (good with sourdough, some rye, and multigrain toasts) and pasta (opting for whole grain/lentil or chickpea pastas, rice noodles, or smaller amounts of filled ones like ravioli). I still indulge occasionally with my favourite grocery store blueberry muffins or nice italian Amaretti cookies, but just as a nice treat. I'm still working on the whole more plants part of my everyday eating, but Melanie thank you so much for this video because you presented 30 plants/week in a way that's actually possible 😭 (thank God for coffee and herbs). Another thing that I've found helps me is combining elements of intermittent fasting, specifically eating later in the morning, and having fewer denser meals (as I do have a tendency to snack on picky bits if my mouth is feeling lonely haha 😂). When I do cook (I live with my parents and sister) I make a point to always purchase enough to make 6 portions of a meal so I can pack things away as "lunches" that are balanced, and i dont need to go into multiple containers when I'm feeling hungry (just pop in microwave and go; the fam also loves this when they take them to their office jobs). I grew up as a very picky eater, having hour long stare downs over the dinner table with my parents over veg (I've always liked carbs and meats). When I moved away for a couple of years in early uni, I got so depressed "cooking" for 1 person that I usually just threw together takeout leftovers with random snacks I had in my apartment. Coming home I was just grateful for anything I didnt need to cook myself and actually made me more adventurous with my palate. One of the best dietary pieces of advice I've heard is to not focus on what you have to take away from what you're eating, but what you can add to it to make it a complete meal. I love toaster waffles and pancakes with crispy edges smothered in syrup. But that's hardly a balanced meal. So I started with adding blueberries while they're cooking, then strawberries as a topping. Recently I've been adding plain greek yogurt on top as a spread, and reduced the syrup to maybe a tablespoon or two. Still a bunch of flavors I love, but it's more filling and balanced overall (flavors a bit like high tea scones with jam and clotted cream). I've noticed I also like certain veg prepared only in certain ways (eg. I hate raw sliced tomatoes, but i love them in soups, sauces - even chunks of them, and strangely salsa. I've noticed salsa makes everything more exciting 😋). I'd love to hear about more ways you and other viewers make plants more exciting or palatable as part of balanced meals. I'm planning on taking notes! 💚💚💚

Haven't heard of this approach before, going to try it out! What has helped me with many health issues (including weight health) has been practicing IF. I am in my 50's and easily in a healthy BMI number. It also has greatly reduced any digestive distresses!

Omg yes please more gut videos!!!! I have exactly what you went through and I really need some direction! ❤❤❤❤

I've only recently started educating myself on microbiomes and the bidirectional relationship between the gut and the brain. It has rapidly been changing the game for me - this video couldn't have come at a better time! I've suffered terribly with my gut health and extreme bloating after every meal. This week, I've invested in pre-and-probiotics and, after a few days of using them, I've already noticed a huge difference. Already looking into elevating my morning banana porridge with the mixed seeds etc. 30 plants a week is now one of my main goals for 2024, along with lots of daily exercise! Thanks for the video :)

What is the Apple cranberry crumble recipe? What kind of apples would you recommend?

Would love more videos on this topic! :)

thank youuu for sharing correct information! The individual gut microbiome is also why I don't believe in one-size-fits-all probiotics.

Long time follower here! I love this video. I'm doing this thing where I write the 'plants i ate today' each day in my journal and everyday I get really excited about one-upping myself and adding a new plant. I have starter buying plants like black and white carrots - something that I would have never considered eating before - just to have new stuff to include in the list ❤😄

Everyone has a big tummy after a big meal. There's a reason the stomach can expand, and it has to go somewhere. Plus women have a little pouch of fat around their uterus to protect it. A flat stomach all the time is either photo shopped or a serious eating disorder or medical problem.

Did you have a coeliac blood test? Gas and flatulence were my main symptoms. I have coeliac disease and my symptoms stopped after I was diagnosed and changed my diet. Alforex is great.

Thank you Melanie❤

Frikin brilliant, thanks so much for this vlog! xx Ps I could listen to You reading the phone book !!

Love this!! I am currently trying the low FODMAP diet but I refuse to believe that all these beautiful plant foods don't have a place in my diet. I am hoping my gut microbiome just needs to heal and adjust.

I will have to start a Food Diary again and count my veggies. I was and I still am in the same place as you were in 2018.

Will Bulsiewicz is the one 🙌🏻😍 becoming vegan and eating whole food plant based changed my life, couldn't agree more with this video Melanie. Choose the plants everyone 😆💚

Love your advice, definitely going to try it out since my ibs is at it’s worst lately.

I was waiting for this video!!! I've been dealing with gut issues since 2020... Extreme constipation, gas, terrible...Thanks for sharing your experience

Thank you so much for sharing your ibs struggles and what’s working for you. It’s giving me hope that I too will be able to heal. I’m currently experiencing a severe flare up which has engulfed my life for 6 months. I’ve struggled with ed’s in the past and it just makes things so much more tricky when it comes to ibs. Thank you for being so open and sharing your journey. I’m so glad things have took a positive turn for you xxx all the best xxx amber xxx

Kefir, sauerkraut and kombuca are my favourite new things from finding Tim Spectre 😊

I would love it if you made more videos on this topic, im struggling a lot with having food diversity lately because of my anxiety so my gut is not doing well. This is inspiring and giving me ideas of things to make, so thank you ❤

I was determined to add more plants into my family’s diet this year (especially because my daughter has issues with constipation)-this video has made me even more determined so thank you for that, Melanie. My IBS is on/off. I’ve managed my flare-ups quite well, but I still feel like I can do a little more. ☺️

South east asians eats a lot of carbohydrate specifically Rice. I am from a bengali guy from West Bengal (India). Bengali food (India) is one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. We eat fishes in day to day basis with rice and vegetables. Goat meat is popular in West Bengal (bengal goat). I think we also have a bad fried food snacking culture, but I take the goods from our simple eating habits. I had some digestive issus some time ago, but now I stay away from fried, much oily food.

Love this!!! I have gut issues and this has been super helpful, thanks :) Any chance of the crumble recipe please? It looks lush!! 💕

Would LOVE more, keep it up, all your content is fab but this would tip it over the edge ❤

Great advice/idea! Will keep in mind moving forward for sure. I love that it's about trying to Include as many plants as possible, rather than cut something out, or putting a rule on how much there should be. I also like how broad a category it is, like means includes things like Oats and other grains, right?

Omg freelee 😂 what a blast from the past, that lady single handedly gave me an eating disorder

18:34 Love the dodie reference :p

I'd love a video where you maybe do a day or week in the life eating those 30+ different plants for some good meal inspo and also how you balance gut healthy eating with cravings and treats 💚 💚💚

I laughed so hard at your “if your not annoyed by my accent and birth mark”

This resonates so much, thank you! Similarly I’ve suffered for years with issues. I’ve never really sought medical help (apart from once re heartburn and in retrospect am astounded that the doctor didn’t suggest it could be my uni diet of alcohol and smiley faces 😅 but instead gave me pills). During pregnancy it was much better but I’ve suffered a lot since. Have since also got super into nutrition and eating more plant based and last week started trying my 30 a week! Would be great if you continue to share your journey xxx

New subscriber here :) I shared this video with my friends and even though I dont have gut issues (thankfull). healthy gut seems like a good thing to have in general. After watching this video I feel inspired to be more mindfull and try to eat the 30 plants / week. so thank you and looking forward to more videos like this 💛

Yes more videos on all your knowledge on gut health please!!

I would love the 30 plants a week as an app!

As I have/had leaky gut I did have to massively reduce my fiber intake. I took pro/probiotics too and now my symptoms are gone. Can eat more dairy than before (though I remain dairy free - but if someone else feeds me, at least I'm not sick!) But legumes are still off the table for me.

Great advice, also was following a lot of dr. Tim’s advice

Would love more content like this! 💕

Thank you for this video, it gives me ideas to relieve symptoms from endometriosis :)

Getting a variety of plants in our diets has been pretty hard over the last year. I"ve had IBS for years (mostly soy and dairy but some legumes , lentils and stuff too) and my husband was diagnosed with Crohns last year. We haven't found a medication that has helped achieve full remission yet, so his plants diet is very small (no raw veg, no leafy greans, minimal whole grains, low fiber). We cook 5-6 nights a week, but unfortunately a lot of meals with the same safe foods for us both. Sometimes i'll add a small side salad for myself to try to get some more greens :D. I think getting better with breakfast is a bit of a goal in the new year - your breakfast ideas are good hacks!

Kefir has saved my life! I drink a cup first thing in the morning... i have to try this as well! Also, i love Bok Choy! So tasty😊

When Melanie posts😍😍😍

I have been having to follow an antihistamine diet. Check it out if you have digestive and allergy issues.

Thank you!❤

It's so cool that I already probably have this kind of diet!! I love cooking dinner and keeping things varied. And I love eating good, tasty food and eating my fill!

the freelee opener needs a triggerwarning haha, as an australian i apologise

I have 3 little kids and I'm chronically ill. I have something called Dysautonomia. But I love to cook. I only first heard of the 30 plants thing about a month ago. I was thinking about it, and I was confused if you're supposed to add spices or not, but if so I actually easily get all those in our family meals quite regularly. A popular go-to snack my kids have been enjoying, I have little cups that I make yogurt parfaits in. We ran out of store bought granola so I threw together a homemade one with walnuts and chia seeds that the kids are crazy for on its own. But then I layer it with fruit and yogurt to mix when they open them. Then they also like to snack on sourdough bread, harboiled egg, but also less healthy things like hotdogs and popcorn...

Thank you for sharing this! I went to the doctor and they were telling me to basically eat a FODMAP diet for the rest of my life. I don't want to have to do that, and the strategies I currently have are eating Kimchi daily and introducing whole grains. Along with therapy, I have been making some great improvements. I have a lot of challenges with vegetables causing me gastric distress but I am going to try adding more variety in the quantities I can handle and see where that takes me.

Altering the timetable from "more fruits and vegetables every day" to simply "30 throughout the week" is SO much less intimidating! As someone who has been aiming to add more variety myself, I would love to hear more about different meals you cook throughout the week. Would also love to learn about any prebiotic/probiotic/fermented foods that you've incorporated :)

This is super interesting Melanie! Would you please list the sources you mentioned so I can dive in further please?

Please do a video of types of foods you have to help your gut! ❤

Oh my gosh. I felt so seen when you pulled in the freelee clip… dark days 😳. So grateful to be in a place now where I enjoy food and accept my body as it is ❤❤

I had a similar experience. It really worked wonders and I hate that doctors aren't suggesting this and they often say IBS can't be cured except its all just changing your diet and making it work for your gut! Bring on the 30 plants a week! However anyone currently in the throes of IBS - the quickest way I found reducing symptoms was avoiding excess saturated fat and avoiding the ultra processed plain oven food.

Do they have a lot of vegan options? I dont like that i cant see any of the recipes before i have to put my card details!

love the intertwined by dodie bit :)

The difference quitting alcohol can make is incredible. My diet is still an absolute mess, but in these 5 months of not drinking a lot has changed. Less bloating, less pain, less discomfort, less stress mentally and physically. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I don't have to go to the bathroom before leaving the house, because I don't get painful bloating immediately if I don't go. It is incredible. I used be so stressed about planning before an everyday event. I HAD to drink a crazy amount of coffee to force myself to go beforehand. Honestly, if you're thinking about quitting alcohol, do it. If you have issues regarding your intestinal or mental health, do it. If you're struggling with weight, high blood pressure, tiredness, energy or motivation, do it. It's not a cure for all your problems, but it will get so much easier to deal with life.

the low fodmap diet RUINED my gut. it’s been 4 ish years and my gut still can’t handle onions beans pulses or cruciferous veg i literally have no idea what to do anymore like i had 1/2 of one of those tiny heinz beans snack pots and my skin felt like it was ripping from the bloat for a whole bloody week 😭😭😭 i’ve seen so many doctors and i just don’t know what to do like onion is in EVERYTHING unless i make it from scratch but i wanna go to restaurants and im disabled i can’t cook every day i do rely or pre-made stuff a lot otherwise i just wouldn’t be able to feed myself so being able to eat onion would VASTLY improve my life. im not really expecting any advice lol just felt like shouting into the void because it really really gets me down

Hi Melanie, I’ve been struggling with ibs for the last 6 years and the only help I got from the doctor was recommending buscopan. This new information is really exciting to me and my struggling gut so I hope it can help. I was just wondering if you found that hormones impacted your flare ups, as for me my ibs flares up the most around menstruation or ovulation, and I don’t know how common this is. Thank you so much for the amazing video though, can’t wait to try diversifying my meals.

PLEASE more videos on this! I’ve had truly such a similar journey to you. Had an eating disorder, did the vegan thing but for all the wrong reasons as it ticked that control box in my brain. I’ve been on a journey ever since to regain a healthy relationship with food just to be stunted with IBS, the low fodmap diet, etc. I was just nodding along this whole video- but this 30 plant a week diet is brilliant. I feel like I’ve often heard from nutritionists the benefits of diversifying diet and adding in but 30 plants a week is such a simple and clear vision that it truly appeases my brain as soon as you said it. Would love to know all the info you have on this topic. It’s fascinating, enlightening and honestly really empowering / hopeful to hear. Thank you!!! I’ve been a long time subscriber for ages and always appreciate your content. 💚

Such a great video as I have been suffering with awful stomach aches my whole life and finally have had everything else ruled out and I’ve been diagnosed with IBS. Do you take probiotics? Xx