Real food. Real science. Real results.
The Thistle Standard of Nutrition
Every bite of Thistle is designed to support life-changing health outcomes. Our standards are built on the fundamental principles and latest breakthroughs of nutrition science — not fads or unsustainable diets. Expect lots of fresh and delicious whole foods, no ultra-processed ingredients, and a menu that is less focused on one-size-fits-all macronutrient targets and instead designed to support your whole body and mind for the long haul.
Lunches & Dinners
An average of 450-650 calories. 90-100% plant ingredients by weight, depending on your protein plan.
20g-50g of protein, from fresh plants (legumes, nuts & seeds, adashah, tempeh, tofu, and whole, ancient grains) and optional sustainably sourced chicken, turkey or pork.
~10-15g of digestion-promoting fiber. 2-4 cups of leafy greens and other vegetables per meal and ~50 different plants per day.
0.5-1 oz nutrient-dense booster foods such as spirulina, dandelion root, turmeric, chia, ashwagandha, or reishi.
Breakfast
250-400 calories on average. 100% plant ingredients by weight. 10g+ of plant protein. ~10g of fiber. 0.5-1 oz nutrient-dense booster foods.
Additionally
Our meals do not contain dairy, gluten ingredients, refined white sugars or artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, additives, or dyes.
How Thistle Benefits Your Health
Diet is a means to an end — a full and healthy life — not another scoreboard to obsess over. When customers commit to Thistle, they often experience breakthrough health outcomes.
More Energy
Thistle’s food contains low-glycemic carbs and protein-rich ingredients to promote even energy-burn. No spikes!
Sharp Mind
Thistle uses healthy fats + omega fatty acids to fuel your brain, combatting stress and balancing hormones.
Healthy Gut
Our high fiber meals have been clinically proven to improve gut microbiome diversity in as little as two weeks.
Stable Biomarkers
Minimally processed, plant-rich diets have been shown to decrease cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation, and more.
Real, Healthy Food for
Real Scientific Research
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Thistle partnered with researchers at the University of California, Irvine to support a clinical study exploring how a high-fiber, plant-forward diet impacts the human gut microbiome. The study found that participants following the Thistle dietary approach experienced significant, measurable changes in gut microbiome composition within just two weeks.
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Researchers at the UCSD School of Medicine chose Thistle as the meal provider for a clinical study examining how whole-food, high-fiber, high-polyphenol diets may support gut microbiome recovery and lower inflammation after colonoscopy. This study helps connect the dots between what we eat, how our gut microbiome responds, and the early factors that can help reduce the risk of chronic disease – giving researchers a clearer picture of how nutrition can shape long-term health.
Thistle provides meals designed to meet the study’s nutritional parameters; UC San Diego independently conducts and analyzes the research. Thistle meals are not intended to diagnose, treat, care, or prevent any disease. Research partnerships do not imply clinical outcomes for consumers.