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Dr. B sent me a copy of his new book, Plant Powered Plus, and I wanted to share it with you.

Dr. B is a friend, and I really respect his work.

If you’ve never listened to the podcast I recorded with him, you can HERE.

Anways, let’s chat about this book…..

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of:

• Eliminate more foods
• Fear fiber
• Avoid plants
• Still feel inflamed

This review is for you.

Because what if the next phase of your gut healing isn’t about taking more away, but about strategically adding back in?

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Plant Powered Plus Review: The 30-Plant Rule That Could Change Your Gut (Without Going Extreme)

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First: What This Book Is Actually About

At its core, this Plant Powered Plus answers one powerful question:

What steps can a person take to heal their gut microbiome and, as a result, strengthen their immune system?

Dr. B frames gut health through the lens of inflammation and the gut–immune connection

In other words, not just bloating, IBS, or elimination diets.

This is about restoring your internal ecosystem.

And I love that angle.

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The Big Idea: Stop Counting Fiber. Start Counting Plants.

Here’s the concept that will likely stick with you:

Stop counting grams of fiber. Start counting plants.

Instead of obsessing over macro numbers, he emphasizes:

• 30+ different plant foods per week
• Variety → better short-chain fatty acid production (acetate, propionate, butyrate)
• Those eating 30+ plants weekly had the healthiest microbiomes in the American Gut Project

If you’re a list-maker (hi!), this is tangible.

It shifts the conversation from restriction to expansion.

And for many women stuck in elimination cycles, that mindset shift alone is powerful.

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But Is This a Strict Vegan Book?

No.

And this is important.

Dr. B is clear that this approach is flexible and sustainable. A plant-powered diet means plants front and center, but not rigid perfection.

He talks about:

• Progress over perfection
• Moving from 10% → 30% → 50% → 70% plant-based gradually
• Meeting you where you are
• Sustainability over ideology

That aligns deeply with what I teach here:

Healing should be strategic and sustainable.

The EXTREMES NEVER WORK.

I tried.

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The Gut–Immune Connection

Do I sound like a broken record around here constantly talking about the gut-immune connection?

Well, it looks like it isn’t just me.

In Part I, he lays out the science of the gut–immune axis.

The takeaway?

Inflammation isn’t random.

It often begins when the gut barrier is compromised and the immune system stays activated.

Plants — specifically diverse fiber and polyphenols — help restore that balance.

And this is backed by research, including 58 clinical trials showing higher fiber intake improves weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and longevity.

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The 3-Phase Protocol (Structure for Type-A Women)

Chapter 9 introduces a structured, staged plan.

Phase 1: Baseline

Dr. B’s approach to this includes things like:

“Start low and go slow.”
• Low FODMAP plant foods
• Smoothies + soups
• 10+ plants per week

Note: The reason I like this approach so much is because, while he’s the fiber doctor, he’s not saying you must jump in with all the fiber. You and I both know that won’t work.

Phase 2: Growth

In phase 2, you’ll introduce even more:

• Gradual expansion of plant diversity
• Increased microbiome exposure

Phase 3: Mastery

Finally, with phase 3, this is where he says we should land the plane:

• 30+ plants per week
• 90% whole foods
• Fermented foods twice daily
• Reintroduction of higher FODMAP foods

What I appreciate:

Everything is gradual.

It’s adaptive.

It respects biology.

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The Lab Testing Section (A Standout Feature)

One of the strongest parts of this book is the clinical testing breakdown.

For so many in this community, a huge question is alway:

....but what labs do I need?

He discusses:

• Fasting insulin
• HbA1c
• ApoB
• Ferritin
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B12
• Homocysteine
• Thyroid panel
• Fecal calprotectin
• Stool microbiome analysis

It’s also organized into a simple-to-read table format.

For women who want data (and many of you do), this bridges nutrition with functional medicine.

It empowers conversations with your practitioner. [Also read: Beginner’s Guide to Digestive Health Testing]

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The Mind–Body Component (And This Is Big)

This book doesn’t stop at food.

Dr. B dives into the brain–gut–immune connection, and discusses how trauma, stress patterns, and subconscious drivers affect gut health.

He even shares his own, personal story involving it.

I’m not sure about you, but that’s what I love most about “health” books; lived experience.

And that whole-person view is something I deeply respect.

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Who This Book Is Perfect For

This book is ideal if you:

• Are tired of elimination-only approaches
• Want to understand inflammation clearly
• Want a science-backed plant-forward framework
• Crave structure without rigidity
• Are ready to move from restriction → expansion

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Who Might Need a Slower Approach

If you’re in severe dysbiosis or can’t tolerate fiber at all right now, you may need to move more slowly than the book outlines.

That being said, I always think that understanding multiple perspectives is super important.

After all, we don’t know what we don’t know….

Personalization still matters.

But the framework is strong.

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Why It Earned a Spot on My Gut Health Book List

What I appreciate most is the tone.

Dr. B’s message is partnership-focused — not preachy. He emphasizes that this book is meant to walk alongside you in your healing.

It’s science-backed, structured, and deeply aligned with long-term health.

If you’re ready to:

• Stop fearing plants
• Reduce inflammation
• Build microbiome resilience
• Move toward abundance instead of restriction

This book belongs on your shelf.

You can find it linked in my Amazon Gut Health Book List here.

And p.s. Pair it with my own book, A Gutsy Girl’s Bible 🙂

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If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:

1. Printable List of High Fiber Foods (Top 15 Low-FODMAP High-Fiber Foods)
2. Constipation Printable List of High Fiber Foods
3. Soluble vs Insoluble Fiber [Printable Soluble Fiber Foods Chart]

Xox,

SKH

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.