5-A-Day...Or 30-A-Week?

Do you know the word biome ? It is defined as Biome: a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g. forest or tundra.Biome is a broader term than habitat.

I first came across the word when I visited the wonderful Eden Project where they have cleverly created different biomes displaying a Mediterranean Climate, a Rainforest, and an Outdoor Garden. Visitors can experiences the flora and fauna of these different global regions - all in Cornwall. But biome has other definitions, dependent on size.

While a biome can cover small areas a microbiome is a mix of organisms that coexist in a defined space on a much smaller scale. For example, the human microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that are present on or in a human body

There has been much discussion of late about the human "gut biome"- the amazing make-up of bacteria ad other tiny organisms that live inside us - and help our bodies to function efficiently.

I've listened to all sorts of BBC science podcasts in recent days [whilst preparing club crafts] with CVT and his UPFs, Michael Mosley, and many others. I have concluded that perhaps I need to eat more 'natural' and less 'processed' foodstuffs. 

I do try hard to get my 5-a-day of fruits and veg.

I am not taken with the whole "4K fermented" plan, that's kefir, kimchi, kombucha and kraut [sauer]  which is supposed to be the best thing out for benefitting your gut flora. As I have been studying Joseph for holiday club, I came across kamut - the 5th 'fermented food beginning with k' which is apparently an ancient Egyptian grain, and made into sourdough is the best thing since sliced bread [NB sliced bread has not been the best thing for quite a while]

None of this appealed to me very much. Then I heard Tim Spector, professor of genetics and epidemiology at Kings College in London talking about 30-a-week.

He said that researchers across the world had discovered that people who eat a diversity of plants across the week - at least 30 different varieties - has healthier gut biomes. That is 30 different things [you can't have 4 bananas a day plus a couple of oranges at the weekend!] but the range includes fruit, veg, legumes, herbs, wholegrains, spices, nuts and seeds. And [bliss!] tea, coffee and chocolate are on the list. 

I thought I'd try listing what I eat this week and see how my 'regular' diet matches up to this. There is a very helpful piece here from NutritionScotland. I started at breakfast Sunday, and after my evening meal on Monday, I had managed fifteen items. Here's a list of typical foods [click on picture to enlarge or read the whole article]

I will see how I get on - I've got a banana in the fruit bowl, and planning home made veg soup late this week. Ans I will sprinkle my seed mix into a home made loaf - that will get me almost to 30. 

One final comment - listening to podcasts means i often have no idea what the presenters look like. I checked out Tim Spector, and concluded he is Gary Lineker's long lost cousin!

Have you tried 30 a week? did it work for you?