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BITESIZE | How to Personalise Your Diet for Increased Energy and Better Health | Tim Spector #239

Feb 18, 2022 15m 17s 11 insights
A diet that gives great results for a friend may not work well for you. We are all unique, and the way we eat should be too.   Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.   Today’s clip is from episode 131 of the podcast with leading expert on the gut microbiome, Professor Tim Spector. In this clip Tim explains why there’s no one-size-fits-all ‘correct’ way to eat, and how we could all experience benefits from experimenting with what, how, and when we eat. Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore Order Dr Chatterjee's new book Happy Mind, Happy Life: UK version: https://amzn.to/304opgJ, US & Canada version: https://amzn.to/3DRxjgp Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3oAKmxi. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.   Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/131 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Consume 30 Plant Species Weekly

Aim to consume around 30 different species of plants per week to achieve maximum diversity in your gut microbes, which gives you the greatest health for your immune system and brain.

2. Choose Minimally Processed Foods

Prioritize eating foods that are minimally processed and as close to their natural state as possible, as this is a more fundamental approach than focusing solely on macronutrient ratios.

3. Embrace Dietary Diversity

Prioritize a wide diversity and range of foods, particularly plants, rather than focusing on a few ‘superfoods’ or restrictive diets, to support gut microbiome health and overall well-being.

4. Actively Self-Experiment with Diet

Actively self-experiment with your diet by trying new dishes, going meat-free for a week, or altering eating patterns to discover what positively impacts your metabolic responses and gut microbes.

5. Nourish Your Gut Microbiome

Consider everything you eat as important for feeding your gut microbes, which produce chemicals that influence mood and well-being, aiming to find the right balance for them.

6. Take Personal Dietary Responsibility

Take personal responsibility for your diet rather than relying solely on external sources (doctors, scientists) to tell you what to eat, empowering you to find what works long-term.

7. Question Dietary Dogmas

Question common dietary dogmas and established routines (e.g., specific meal times) to discover what genuinely works best for your individual body and metabolism, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

8. Avoid Reductionist Dietary Fads

Avoid narrow, reductionist dietary approaches that focus on single nutrients or ‘superfoods,’ as the complexity of food and the body’s interactions defy such simplistic views.

9. Cultivate Fascination for Food

Remain fascinated by food and enjoy the eating experience, recognizing its power as a bonding human experience, while exploring diverse and interesting foods.

10. Preserve Joy in Eating

Deconstruct complex dietary advice without losing the fun and social aspects of eating, as these are important for overall well-being and a sustainable approach.

11. Learn Traditional Cooking

Reconnect with traditional food knowledge and cooking skills, like those passed down through generations in cultures with lower ultra-processed food consumption, to better understand and prepare whole foods.