Fiber: Should You Be ‘Fibermaxxing’?

Move over, protein: Fiber is the newest macronutrient darling of the food world. Content creators promoting optimal digestion suggest we maximize fiber intake — “fibermaxxing” — by eating fiber-rich foods with every meal and snack as well as using fiber supplements as needed. The fibermaxxing crowd claims the approach can help with everything from gut health to improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels and may even aid in cancer prevention. Can increased fiber intake and other digestion-related trends, such as the dense bean salad and post-meal walks, really deliver better overall health? Expert: Dr. Michael Allen, primary care physician Notable topics: What is fiber, and what role does it play in our diet?How much fiber you need in a day (you’re probably not getting enough)Who needs more fiber, and who needs to moderate their intake?How the body reacts when you have too little or too much fiber in your diet Is fibermaxxing a safe trend?The role hydration plays when increasing fiber intakeDense bean salad: Is it a healthy option?Can taking a walk after eating really help with your digestion and blood sugar levels? How to safely start increasing your fiber intakeIf you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.