National Nutrition Month arrives this year with a paradox: Americans are more interested in gut health than ever before, yet new data suggests the everyday foods that support it are being overlooked.
Search interest in ‘gut health’ in the U.S. is up sharply over the past year, according to Google Trends data collected in February 2026, highlighting growing interest in the microbiome – the community of micro-organisms living within the human body, linked to brain function, skin health, metabolism, energy, longevity, and digestion. At the same time, interest in “gut health foods” has dipped by 10%, suggesting that while consumers are eager to improve their health, the role of everyday foods in supporting the microbiome may be getting less attention.
That gap matters more than many people realize. To simplify the conversation, Taylor Farms partnered with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Chelsea LeBlanc, to highlight everyday habits that support gut health, and easy ways to bring more gut-friendly foods to the plate.
1. Expanding plant variety
Many Americans rely on the same small handful of vegetables in their regular diet. According to the latest USDA Vegetables and Pulses Yearbook, potatoes account for nearly one-third of total vegetable availability in the U.S., while nutrient-dense greens remain far less common. Kale availability, for example, sits at less than one pound per person per year.
Research suggests that people with greater microbial diversity tend to have stronger immune function, better digestion, and improved mood regulation. “One of the easiest ways to build more diversity in your diet is simply by eating a wider variety of plants,” says LeBlanc. The 30 plants a week benchmark, popularized by gut health researchers, includes vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, each feeding different bacterial strains.
Try: The diversity bowl – Starting with a Southwest Protein Chopped Kit as a base delivers 5+ plants before a single ingredient is added. Topping it with black beans, corn, and avocado pushes the count to 8–10 plants in a single meal, a significant step toward the 30-plant weekly benchmark.
2. Closing the fiber gap
Fiber is the primary fuel for your healthy bacteria. “Unfortunately, most Americans get about 15 grams of fiber per day on average,” adds LeBlanc. Even though it’s recommended that women get around 25 grams and men 35 grams of fiber per day. Without enough fiber, your microbiome lacks the ‘energy and stamina’ to support your best life.
Adding more vegetables to everyday meals can be a simple way to close that gap. For busy households, convenient options such as pre-washed salads, pre-chopped vegetables, or ready-to-use blends like broccoli or cauliflower rice can make it easier to add fiber without extra prep.
Try: Vegetable medley stir fry – The Taylor Farms Stir Fry Medley combines broccoli, bok choy, peas, and carrots in one ready-to-cook blend. Toss in shelled edamame for an easy boost of plant-based protein and fiber. Then top with cashews or sesame seeds and serve over brown rice or quinoa to add even more plant diversity and staying power.
3. Finding ways to enjoy nutrient-dense greens
Some of the vegetables most associated with gut health can also be the most polarizing. According to a 2025 YouGov survey, 35% of Americans dislike beets, while 31% say they avoid kale. But enjoying these nutrient-dense foods doesn’t have to mean forcing yourself to eat a plate of something you don’t love. Often, it’s simply about preparing them in ways that highlight flavor and familiarity.
“One of my favorite strategies is using flavor pairing to make vegetables more approachable,” says LeBlanc. “Pairing slightly bitter greens (like kale) with naturally sweet ingredients, like roasted sweet potatoes, can soften the bitterness while still delivering those nutrients that support gut health.”
Try: Sauteed Sweet Kale Salad – Kale isn’t just for salads. Quickly sauté a Taylor Farms Sweet Kale Chopped Kit and top it with creamy avocado and a fried egg for a savory breakfast bowl with a comforting, hash-like feel. Pro tip: pair it with a matcha latte to romanticize your morning routine while giving your body a fiber-rich, nutrient-packed start to the day.
4. Balancing probiotics with prebiotic foods
Probiotic supplements have become increasingly popular, but experts emphasize that diet still plays a central role in supporting the microbiome.
Think of probiotics as “seeds” and prebiotics as the “soil.” You can’t grow a garden with seeds alone; you need nutrient-rich soil to help them thrive. “Probiotic supplements can play a helpful role, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle,” says LeBlanc, RDN. “A healthy microbiome is built on what you eat every day. The fibers, plant compounds, and nutrients in whole foods create the environment that allows beneficial bacteria to actually thrive. You can’t supplement your way out of a poor diet—food is still the foundation of gut health.”
Try: The everything chopped salad – Built on Taylor Farms’ most diverse kit, this salad works as a base for roasted salmon or chickpeas. Adding seasonal fruits like berries or apple slices helps hit both vegetable and fruit targets simultaneously, and pairs naturally with a Greek yogurt dressing for an added probiotic boost.
5. Including healthy fats to unlock nutrients
Healthy fats play an important role in helping the body absorb key vitamins found in vegetables. Nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they are only absorbed effectively when paired with a source of dietary fat, making what you dress your salad with just as important as what’s in it.
Rather than thinking of dressings as an extra, nutrition experts encourage viewing them as a functional part of the meal. Healthy fats like olive oil–based dressings, avocado, nuts, and seeds add satisfying flavor while helping the body absorb important nutrients from vegetables.
“Adding a source of healthy fat is one of the simplest ways to help your body get more nutritional benefit from vegetables,” says LeBlanc. “It also boosts flavor and helps meals feel more satisfying and filling, making it easier to enjoy vegetables more often.”
For an added gut health benefit, consider dressings that also contain probiotic-rich ingredients like Greek Yogurt-based dressing; it’s naturally high in protein and probiotics, which promote gut health and digestion, and turns your salad into a functional health meal that supports digestion. Simply mix it with lemon juice and crushed garlic for a bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables.
Taylor Farms recipes for National Nutrition Month
For those looking to put these habits into practice and close this ‘Variety Gap’, Taylor Farms has a collection of recipes designed to make plant variety effortless this National Nutrition Month, from high-diversity protein bowls and stir fries to chopped salad kits that can hit 8-10 plants in a single meal. Explore the full recipe collection at taylorfarms.com.
