Eat This Many Plant-Based Foods Weekly, Dietitians Say

There’s little debate about the importance of eating more plant-based foods. These foods feed the microorganisms living in our gut, allowing for a host of health benefits, including fortifying the body to fight disease, TODAY.com previously reported . Avoiding plant-based foods can lead to a less diverse microbiome which may increase your risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

The good news is that studies show that Americans are willing to make room in their diets for plants and consume less red meat these days.

However, how often you make space on your plate for fruit and vegetables matters, too.

“Eating beans once in a blue moon doesn’t have some magically transformative impact on gut health,” Alyssa Lavy, registered dietitian and owner of Alyssa Lavy Nutrition & Wellness,