The Microbiome Diet

The Microbiome Diet is a three-phase program designed to improve gut health. It’s also claimed to boost metabolism, eliminate cravings, and help you lose weight.

It is split into three phases. Each phase eliminates the same foods but becomes increasingly flexible with how strictly these foods should be avoided.

In addition, it excludes starchy fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, fruit juice, grains containing gluten, eggs, some dairy, and some types of fish and meats. It also discourages eating added sugar and processed or fried foods.

However it encourages eating non-starchy fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, grass-fed meat, and wild, low-mercury fish.

Moreover, it encourages eating organic foods, using a water filter, and taking various supplements. It discourages the use of non-natural household cleaners and personal care products, as well as the overuse of certain drugs.

It is rich in probiotics and prebiotics, as well as low in added sugar — all of which can contribute to a healthier gut. It also warns against the overuse of certain medications that could damage your gut. It is rich in nutrients and may help you lose weight. It also contains nutrients which may boost your immunity and potentially protect against health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The Microbiome Diet starts off restrictive, excluding certain beneficial foods from your diet. What’s more, its strong emphasis on organic produce and supplements is unsupported by strong science.

Conclusion:

The Microbiome Diet limits sugary, fried, and processed foods, focusing instead on fresh produce, lean protein, healthy fats, and probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods.

It’s likely to aid gut health and weight loss but can be unnecessarily restrictive. Plus, its emphasis on supplements and organic foods is unsupported by science.

That said, the Microbiome Diet does become less restrictive with time and is likely to be beneficial — as long as you can stick to it.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/microbiome-diet?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=authoritynutrition&utm_content=2019-01-22#bottom-line

https://www.byrdie.com/microbiome-diet