Dr. Gundry's "forbidden foods" are primarily those high in lectins, a type of plant protein he claims can damage the gut lining and cause inflammation. These foods are outlined in his book The Plant Paradox and include several items traditionally considered healthy.
He advised avoiding grapes, mangoes, ripe bananas, lychees, apples, pineapple, and pears, listing the grams of sugar in each as if the sugar added to an energy drink had the same influence on the body as an apple.
Dr. Gundry recommends lectin-free options like pasture-raised eggs, avocado with MCT oil/ olive oil, nuts (walnuts, macadamias, pistachios), and sheep/ goat yogurt/ coconut yogurt for breakfast, often delaying it or eating calories in a short window; he advises against typical cereals, oats, and cow's milk yogurt due to lectins, promoting foods that support gut health.
Dr. Gundry eats a lot of plants, and they're one of his primary protein sources. In fact, his favorite protein hack is to choose vegetables with high protein content, including three on this list: avocados, walnuts and kale. Other favorites include all leafy greens of all kinds, mushrooms, pecans and pistachios.
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are delicious and nutritious lectin-free options. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them a perfect addition to any diet.
Blueberries May Cause Digestive Issues
While blueberries are generally considered to be a healthy food, they can sometimes cause digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea. If you eat too many blueberries, you may experience stomach pain or cramping.
There's no single "healthiest" fruit; variety is key, but berries (blueberries, raspberries), avocados, apples, kiwi, and citrus are top contenders for daily eating due to high fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, supporting heart, gut, and overall health, so aim to include several types in your diet.
Know what you're buying: pastured eggs are generally lower in lectins than standard, commercially farmed eggs, but pastured hens still often have access to many lectin-rich foods.
Foods rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) include: Coconut oil. Palm kernel oil. Dairy products such as butter and cheese.
Here are five foods that promote healthier digestion and help you avoid common gastrointestinal symptoms.
Foods to Eat – Dr. Gundry's “Yes List”
Melatonin, a hormone your body makes to help with your sleep cycle. It can also be found naturally in some foods. Good sources: tart cherries like Montmorency cherries, unsweetened tart cherry juice, eggs, milk, pistachios and almonds. Potassium and magnesium, nutrients that help promote muscle relaxation.
Which vegetables are best for keeping your gut healthy?
Some foods that contain higher amounts of lectins are beans, pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables (e.g. potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, berries, and watermelon), nuts, coffee, chocolate, and some herbs and spices (e.g. peppermint, marjoram, and nutmeg).
If you are eating before bed, choose a small evening snack that includes some fiber and protein like an apple and one to two tablespoons of peanut butter.
M.C.T. stands for “medium chain triglycerides,” (triglyceride = fat). Unlike short-chain and long-chain fatty acids (like those found in avocados and olive oil), certain types of medium-chain fatty acids – caproic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), and capric acid (C10) – don't need to be digested by your stomach.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
Dr. Gundry recommends lectin-free options like pasture-raised eggs, avocado with MCT oil/ olive oil, nuts (walnuts, macadamias, pistachios), and sheep/ goat yogurt/ coconut yogurt for breakfast, often delaying it or eating calories in a short window; he advises against typical cereals, oats, and cow's milk yogurt due to lectins, promoting foods that support gut health.
More research is needed to figure out the link between eggs, diabetes and heart disease. Health experts now suggest eating as little dietary cholesterol as you can, aiming to keep intake under 300 milligrams (mg) a day. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk.
The lowest lectin content options are asparagus, garlic, celery, mushrooms and onions. Cooked root vegetables like sweet potatoes, yucca and taro, along with leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, avocados, olives and olive oil are all examples of healthy foods that do contain some lectins.
1. Almonds. There you have it — the humble almond can be considered the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. Used to the spotlight by now, almonds have been at the center of multiple studies on heart health and diabetes-related benefits.
Blueberries are richer in vitamin K and manganese, yet mango is richer in vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, copper, and vitamin B6. Mango's daily need coverage for vitamin C is 30% higher. Blueberries have 5 times more manganese than mango. Blueberries have 0.336mg of manganese, while mango has 0.063mg.
Watermelon can help reduce your body fat and waist circumference due to its high water content. Watermelon is also rich in vitamins A and C, which can help with skin health and metabolism.