07/29/2025
This is our approach as well at Awaken Health Nutrition, led by Functional Medicine Nutritionist Miranda Moore-Stepnitz, M.S.
I was with colleagues at dinner, and they asked me “how I ate.” They talked about themselves as following a vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based approach, with a few of them eating more fish and meat. I responded by saying, “I’m a diversitarian.” They looked at me quizzically. I said, “Because I travel so much, I want to experience the culture through their foods and their gut microbiome. I want to experience life through the varieties of foods.”
Unless I’m truly allergic or intolerant to something, I try to broaden and diversify my intake. The research on dietary diversity is extensive, indicating that it is associated with better nutritional status, gut microbiome adaptability, cognitive function, visual and auditory sustained attention, and less risk for mental health issues, allergic symptoms, and even fractures and falls.
Over the years, as I’ve worked with people and their food intake, I’ve seen that people get into food ruts. Sometimes, we need to shake things up. Aiming for at least 30-50 unique foods weekly is a general guideline, with the premise that everyone’s gut is different and may need a gradual increase.
Diversity is Nature’s principle. It can help people thrive and be more resilient in body and mind. 🌈✨
