- Nutrition
- Food Facts
Surprising foods that count toward your 30 plants per week
Written byTim Newman
Reviewed byYella Hewings-Martin, PhD
It’s not just about fruits and vegetables; nuts, seeds, whole grains, pulses, herbs, and spices all count toward your weekly total of 30.
Many kitchen staples count as plants: coffee, tea, dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), and popcorn can all be considered plants.
Different colors of the same vegetable (such as red vs. green peppers) also count as distinct points because they contain different health-boosting polyphenols.
Even small pinches of dried herbs or spices contribute to your diversity score.
Eating a wide variety of plants provides prebiotics that feed different “good” bacteria in your gut, which is linked to better heart health and a stronger immune system.
Picture this: You’re in the store, and you want to make sure you eat 30 different plants this week. What do you buy?
Did you know that some items in the spice aisle — and even the confectionary aisle — can count as plants?
As you’ll see, you might already be consuming more plants than you realize.
But first off, what serving size counts toward your 30 plants a week? According to ZOE’s Scientific Co-Founder Prof. Tim Spector:
“There are no exact serving sizes, but a handful of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans — and a teaspoon of spices, seeds, and herbs — is a good starting guide.”
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1. Choose chocolate
Cocoa beans, which become chocolate, are technically seeds. And because the beans are fermented during manufacturing, they contain a heady cocktail of healthy compounds.
This includes polyphenols and fiber, which help feed your “good” gut bacteria.
So, minimally processed dark chocolate that’s at least 70% cocoa counts as a plant. Feel free to enjoy it in moderation.
If you’d like to learn more, we have a podcast episode on the science of dark chocolate.
2. Coffee counts
Coffee beans are also seeds. So, your morning coffee counts as a plant, too.
Surprisingly, coffee contains fiber. In fact, in a podcast episode on coffee, Tim explains that there’s more fiber in coffee than a glass of orange juice.
And ZOE’s PREDICT studies show that people who drink coffee tend to have more diverse gut microbiomes, possibly due to coffee’s fiber.
If you’re wondering, instant and decaf coffee count, too.
3. Popcorn is a plant
Popcorn is a whole grain. And because whole grains are less processed than refined grains, like white rice, they contain a wealth of nutrients.
Plus, thanks to their fiber, whole grains are less likely to cause a pronounced blood sugar response than refined grains.
So, consider swapping refined grains for whole grains to raise your plant count.
These whole grains all contribute to your 30 plants per week:
black, brown, red, or wild rice
And when you’re choosing popcorn, steer clear of added flavorings, salt, or sugar. Or, make your own at home.
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4. Sprinkle on seeds
Seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, and they make an easy addition to many meals.
And there are loads to try, including chia, hemp, flax, poppy, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower.
So, sprinkling a mix of seeds on your meal will add a bunch of plants within seconds. And they work with a range of savory and sweet dishes.
Also, seeds can make a nice snack on their own. And if you toast them, they’re extra tasty.
5. Add some nuts
Like seeds, nuts are packed with nutrients, including fiber and healthy fats. You can buy bags of mixed nuts and add them to a wide range of foods.
If you’re in the United Kingdom, it’s cheaper to buy nuts from the baking aisle, rather than the snack section. Plus, these nuts are less likely to be coated in salt, flavorings, or other additives.
Try adding whole or chopped mixed nuts to:
Nut butters are another option, but make sure you choose minimally processed products that don’t have too many additives.
And of course, nuts make a delicious snack on their own. ZOE has a podcast episode dedicated to nuts and their health benefits if you’d like to learn more.
6. Add herbs
As Tim mentioned above, a teaspoon of herbs or spices counts toward your 30 plants a week.
Most herbs and spices are relatively inexpensive and easy to store, and they can really help your dishes sing.
mint to salads, grains, peas, or carrots
rosemary to roasted vegetables
basil to pestos, dressings, soups, or salads
chives to stews, salads, fish, and poultry
coriander to salads, soups, curries, and stir-fries
parsley to omelets, sauces, salads, and soups
The possibilities are truly endless, so feel free to experiment.
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7. Spice it up
Spices count, too. They’re all derived from plants and contain a diverse selection of healthy compounds.
cumin or nutmeg to soups, chilis, and stews
chili powder, cayenne, or paprika to anything that needs a kick
ginger to curries and salad dressings
turmeric to roasted vegetables and scrambled eggs
If you’re new to this, we have a podcast episode on the health benefits of spices and how to use them.
We hope these hints will make your 30-plant goal seem less daunting. You’re probably well on your way already.
If you’d like to learn more, this ZOE article covers eating 30 plants per week in more detail.
How to get 30 different plants into a diet?
Reaching that target may not be as hard as it sounds. You can count nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices — even coffee and dark chocolate — along with fruits, vegetables, and grains.
What happened to people who tried to eat 30 plants a week?
Studies suggest that people who eat 30 or more different plants per week are more likely to have “good” gut bacteria than those who eat just 10.
Sources
Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals. Nature Medicine. (2021). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-01183-8
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