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Dr. B sent me a copy of his new book, Installation-driven Plusand I wanted to share it with you.
Dr. B is a friend and I have great respect for his work.
If you’ve never listened to the podcast I recorded with him, you can HERE.
Anyway, let’s talk about this book…
If you’re stuck in the cycle of:
• Eliminate more foods
• Anxiety 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 it?
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First, what this book is actually about
At its core this is Plant powered plus answers one powerful question:
What steps can someone take to heal their gut microbiome and, as a result, strengthen their immune system?
Dr. B views gut health through the lens of inflammation and the gut-immune connection
In other words: not just now bloating, IBS or elimination diets.
This is about restoring your internal ecosystem.
And I love that angle.
The big idea: stop counting fibers. Start counting plants.
This is the concept that will probably stick with you:
Stop counting grams of fiber. Start counting plants.
Rather than obsessing over macro figures, he emphasizes:
- 30+ different plant-based foods per week
- Variety → better production of short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate)
- Those who ate more than 30 plants weekly had the healthiest microbiomes in the American Gut Project
If you’re a list maker (hello!), this is tangible.
It shifts the conversation from limitation to expansion.
And for many women stuck in elimination cycles, that mindset shift alone is powerful.
But is this a strictly vegan book?
No.
And this is important.
Dr. B is clear that this approach is flexible and sustainable. A plant-based diet means plants are the focus, but not rigid perfection.
He talks about:
- Progress over perfection
- Step by step from 10% → 30% → 50% → 70% vegetable
- Meet you where you are
- Sustainability over ideology
That ties in deeply with what I teach here:
Healing must be strategic and sustainable.
The EXTREME NEVER WORK.
I tried it.
The gut-immune connection
Do I sound like a broken record here? continual talk about the gut-immune connection?
Well, it looks like it’s not just me.
In Part I he explains the science of the gut-immune axis.
The takeaway?
Inflammation is not random.
It often begins when the intestinal barrier is compromised and the immune system remains activated.
Plants – especially various fibers and polyphenols – help restore that balance.
And this is backed by research, including 58 clinical trials showing that higher fiber intake improves weight, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, blood pressure and longevity.
The three-phase protocol (structure for type A women)
Chapter 9 introduces a structured, phased plan.
Phase 1: Baseline
Dr. B’s approach to this includes things like:
“Start low and go slow.”
• Low FODMAP plant-based food
• Smoothies + soups
• 10+ plants per week
Note: The reason I like this approach so much is because even though he is the fiber doctor, he is not saying that you have to jump in with all your strength. You and I both know that won’t work.
Phase 2: Growth
In phase 2 you introduce even more:
• Gradual expansion of plant diversity
• Increased exposure to the microbiome
Phase 3: Mastery
Finally, with phase 3, this is where he tells us to land the plane:
• 30+ plants per week
• 90% whole foods
• Fermented foods twice a day
• Reintroduction of higher FODMAP foods
What I appreciate:
Everything happens gradually.
It’s adaptive.
It respects biology.
The laboratory testing part (a standout feature)
One of the strongest parts of this book is the clinical test breakdown.
For so many in this community, there is always a big question:
....but what labs do I need?
He discusses:
• Fasting insulin
• HbA1c
• ApoB
• Ferritin
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B12
• Homocysteine
• Thyroid panel
• Fecal calprotectin
• Analysis of the stool microbiome
It is also organized in an easy-to-read table format.
For women who want dates (and many of you do, too), this bridges the gap between nutrition and functional medicine.
It allows conversations with your doctor. [Also read: Beginner’s Guide to Digestive Health Testing]
The body and mind component (and this is big)
This book doesn’t stop at food.
Dr. B delves into the connection between the brain, intestines and the immune system and discusses how trauma, stress patterns and unconscious factors influence intestinal health.
He even shares his own personal story about it.
I’m not sure about you, but that’s what I love most about ‘health books’; lived experience.
And that view of the whole person is something I deeply respect.
Who is this book perfect for?
This book is ideal if you:
• Are tired of elimination-only approaches
• Want to understand inflammation clearly
• Want a scientifically based plant-forward framework
• Desire structure without stiffness
• Are willing to move from limitation to expansion
Who may need a slower approach
If you have severe dysbiosis or cannot currently tolerate fiber at all, you may need to move more slowly than described in the book.
That being said, I always I think understanding multiple perspectives is super important.
After all, we don’t know what we don’t know…
Personalization still important.
But the framework is strong.
Why it deserved a spot on my gut health reading list
What I appreciate most is the tone.
The message from Dr. B focuses on cooperation and not on preaching. He emphasizes that this book is meant to walk alongside you in your healing.
It is scientifically based, structured and deeply tailored to long-term health.
When you’re ready to:
• Stop fearing plants
• Reduce inflammation
• Build microbiome resilience
• Move towards abundance instead of limitation
This book belongs on your shelf.
You can find it linked in my Amazon Gut Health book list here.
And ps Combine it with my own book, A courageous girl’s Bible 🙂
If you liked this article, you might also like:
- Printable List of High Fiber Foods (Top 15 High Fiber Foods Low in FODMAP)
- Constipation Printable list of high fiber foods
- Soluble vs. insoluble fiber [Printable Soluble Fiber Foods Chart]
XXX,
S.K.H
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 that I personally use and believe in.
💃ʜᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴜᴛ. ʜᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪfe.
🫶🏻 Founder gutbyome.com
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