Kit Roberts
Experts have praised the '30-3-3' method for maintaining a healthy diet, but warned that it might not be suitable for everyone.
It might seem that barely a week goes by without a new diet emerging, with each diet claiming to finally be the one, just like all the other ones that came before.
But a new method for helping to maintain a healthy gut has been praised by British Dietetic Association spokesperson Dr Sammie Gill, who also clarified why some people may want to avoid it.
Dr Gill outlined how the method can help with your gut microbiome, and aim to make 'sustainable changes that are manageable and can be maintained over time', rather than more dramatic diets which are not sustainable, so any benefits are soon lost.
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But let's begin at the beginning shall we - what actually is the 30-30-3 method?
The numbers refer to the quantities of particular foods that you eat over the course of the day.
Dr Gill explained to Women's Health that the method ‘recommends aiming for 30g of protein at breakfast, 30g of fibre over the day, and 3 foods rich in live cultures – like yoghurt, kimchi, kefir, or sauerkraut'.
She explained that it was 'created to support long-term health and the gut microbiome by making healthy eating habits simple and easy to put into practice'.
This emphasis on maintaining the diet also means that it's a little more flexible than other diets might be.
So, while the numbers are specific, Dr Gill explained that they are there as a guide rather than as something to follow by rote.
She said: "Think of the 30-30-3 method as a recipe you can make your own - adjust it so it’s adapted and tailored to you. It’s meant to help, not be restrictive, rigid or unrealistic."
However, she explained that there is one group of people for whom it is best to avoid this particular diet.
Dr Gill put forward two main cohorts of people who should avoid the 30-30-3 method.
One of these groups is people who have a kidney problem.
The other is people who suffer with some sort of eating disorder, as these conditions can impact the way people approach their diet.
"Tailored advice from a dietitian is essential in these scenarios," says Dr Gill.
For people who can undertake the diet, it is aimed at 'inclusion of foods rather than exclusion of foods', and helping someone to make smaller changes that will stick in the long term.