logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
33m 30s

The Extra Scoop: Should We Eat 30 Plants...

The Wellness Scoop
About this episode

The advice to eat 30 different plants a week is gaining huge momentum. You might have seen it on social media, heard it mentioned by health experts, or even spotted ‘Plant Points’ on food packaging, but what does it actually mean? And why is everyone talking about it?


We’re joined by Dr. Federica Amati, a Registered Nutritionist and Nutrition Topic Lead at Imperial College London’s Faculty of Medicine, to unpack it. Dr. Amati explains what eating 30 plants actually means, how it works, and the biggest benefits of plant diversity in your diet. She also shares practical steps to help you start incorporating more plants into your meals.


In This Episode, We Cover:

  • What eating 30 plants a week actually means
  • The difference between 5-a-day and 30 plants
  • The benefits of plant diversity in your diet
  • What 30 pants a week looks like
  • Three simple steps to get started today


Dr. Federica Amati is the author of Every Body Should Know This: The Science of Eating for a Lifetime of Health

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 11
The Truth About Ultra Processed Foods
Welcome to another special live episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re starting with a calming five-minute meditation led by Cordelia Simpson to help you pause, breathe and refill your cup before diving in. Then we’re tackling one of the most confusing topics in nutrition: ultra pr ... Show More
39m 33s
Jun 19
The Extra Scoop: Protein. Myths, Marketing & What You Really Need
Protein is everywhere right now — added to yoghurts, cereals, snack bars and even water. But why has it taken centre stage in the wellness world, and how much do we actually need? In this episode of The Extra Scoop, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Cashin, a Registered Dietitian and Spo ... Show More
25m 56s
Jun 16
Botox, #SkinnyTok & Is All Sugar the Same?
This week, we’re diving into the slightly shocking (and sometimes surprisingly wholesome) stories shaping our health and habits. We start with TikTok’s decision to ban the hashtag #SkinnyTok, following a viral exposé revealing the darker side of the “skinny girl” aesthetic and th ... Show More
55m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
The Latest Science of Gut Health: What To Eat, When To Eat & Why You Don’t Need 30 Plant Foods Per Week with Dr Emily Leeming #508
Twenty years ago, very few scientists even knew about something called the gut microbiome. Now, with over 70,000 research papers published on the subject, this complex ecosystem, home to trillions of microorganisms, is recognised as a key factor in our physical and mental wellbei ... Show More
1h 44m
Apr 2025
Ep. 136 As A Woman, What & How Should I Be Eating?: Smart Snacking, Gut Health & Actually Useful Nutrition Advice with Professor Sarah Berry
This is an expert episode absolutely packed with gold on what & when we should be eating. My guest is Professor Sarah Berry, a world-leading expert in nutritional science, Professor at King’s College London, the Chief Scientist at ZOE and the lead nutritional scientist on the PRE ... Show More
1h 12m
Jan 2025
Recap: How to adapt your diet for later life | Dr Federica Amati
A lot of things change as we age. Our dress sense, our taste in music and importantly our body. The truth is your body is not the same as it was 20 or even 10 years ago. So why should your diet be? Dr Federica Amati is here to explain why our nutrition needs change as we enter la ... Show More
9m 56s
Jun 2024
Dr Federica Amati on Nutrition
Gabby is joined by expert guest Dr Federica Amati to talk about all things nutrition, and to answer your questions on everything from which foods are particularly beneficial in midlife, to what to feed the teenagers in your life. They also chat about the importance of questioning ... Show More
46m 4s
Apr 2025
Ultra-Processed People: How Big Food Is Rewiring Our Brains | Chris Van Tulleken
Ultra-processed food is the new cigarette—and it's fueling a global health crisis hiding in plain sight. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris van Tulleken—infectious disease physician, BBC broadcaster, and author of Ultra-Processed People—to expose the truth behind ultra-p ... Show More
1h 24m
Jul 30
123 | Carnivore. Omnivore… Nutrivore? How To Shift from Calorie Counting to Nutrient Density
Today’s episode will change how you think (and talk) about food. Instead of obsessing over calories or cutting carbs, what if we taught patients to focus on nutrient density?I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, bestselling author of Nutrivore. You’ll learn how to shift the convers ... Show More
27m 14s
Mar 2025
Why your workout should change with each new decade | Gabby Reece & Dr. Federica Amati
Staying fit isn’t just for athletes - it’s a lifelong commitment that evolves with age. But how do we maintain strength, resilience, and motivation through different life stages? In this episode, Gabby Reece, legendary volleyball player and fitness leader, shares how she has adap ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2025
Recap: What the science says about intermittent fasting | Gin Stephens
Today we’re talking about intermittent fasting. This form of time-restricted eating has been gaining significant popularity, with many people reporting positive effects after incorporating it into their daily routines. However, here at ZOE, we want to know what the science says a ... Show More
14m 30s
Jul 28
The Killer Food Culture That’s Controlling Your Health
It’s human nature to reduce and simplify complex situations. We like to think that weight loss is as simple as a formula like “calories in, calories out,” or that making better health choices is as easy as harnessing your willpower. The truth is that our bodies, minds, and behavi ... Show More
1h 33m
May 25
Overwhelmed by Gut Health & Nutrition? Here's What You Actually Need to Know
If you’ve ever felt confused by food labels, overwhelmed by gut health advice, or unsure which supplements are actually worth it — this episode is for you. We sit down with Lisa Baker, a dermal therapist turned nutritionist and supplement product developer, to demystify what’s re ... Show More
50m 55s