If you’re looking for the best book to learn about gut health, this is it, folks.
Fiber Fueled by Will Bulsiewicz, MD
When I was working on my PhD, I learned ALL about how to have a healthy gut. My research was literally on probiotics and fiber supplements and all of the great things they do for your body (not just better poops, but better metabolism, better immunity, you name it).
My friend sent me this title one day after a doctor visit. Just from the title alone, I was like HELL YEAH here it is. I know this is gonna be good. No one talks about fiber! It’s all “high-protein” bullshit right now!
So I read it, cover to cover, and yes, it is in fact the book I would have written myself. But instead, it’s written by an MD, a gastroenterologist in fact. Even better; he knows the clinical component to all of this really well.
Some claims seem bold, as with every health-related book, but in reality fiber is that big of a deal. It just sounds so boring that most people ignore it. And he breaks down the clinical evidence well, too. I checked lots of his references.
Now. I will say, as much as he and his dietitian recipe-writer tried to make this doable (great recipes, btw!), the four-week program at the end might intimidate you. The shopping lists are lengthy, and if you’re early in your healthy food journey, it might be a bit fast-paced, and a bit expensive. And no matter who you are, learning two to three new recipes every day takes a LOT of time and energy. Between kids and work and laundry and “trying” to find time to sleep and exercise, I’m personally taking a slower approach.
Yes, even though I have a PhD in nutrition and know most all of this stuff already, I too have changes to make after reading this book. I still am not actualizing all my food and fitness goals yet, even though they’re on my mind. I’m a busy mom! Gimme a break!
So here’s what I’m doing:
My 2025 New Year’s resolution after reading this book is going to be to add one new plant food to my portfolio each week (join me! We’ll do it together! Check my instagram @thesneakybeanblog for posts about this).
By the end of the year, I’ll have added 52 new plants to my diet. That’s big progress, and on a reasonable timeline.
I’m not overhauling my diet.
I’m not throwing out things that I want to eat less of, like meat (not quitting it, just eating less). This would be a big adjustment. I’m not looking for a big adjustment. I’m looking for sustainable, long-term changes that will stick.
And I’m certainly not shaming myself for not having done better before. That would be unfair.
I’m making slow, gradual changes. I know this works because it’s how I’ve been operating for the past 15 years since I started learning about health and wellness in college. Bit by bit, I’ve changed quite a lot about how I take care of my body and mind compared to all those years ago. And these changes have become permanent for me, not a fast-paced fad that I give up on a few weeks later because I’ve lost the INTENSE motivation needed to sustain the changes.
So yes, read this book. And yes, take his advice about eating more different kinds of plants.
But go easy on yourself! Making changes in the kitchen is not easy work. It takes time and energy to make changes that will last.
That said, if you need some support on this journey, I would LOVE to be your coach! It might be just what you need. Check out this service that I offer.