Losing weight is on the minds of many Americans and it’s quite the popular topic in the health food world. Companies know this and purposely market unhealthy foods as ‘health foods’ or ‘weight loss oriented foods’ in order to convince consumers to pick their products off of store shelves.
However, studies have show that the most beneficial nutrient for losing weight isn’t a pill…nor is it a box of low-calorie snacks. Natural fiber for weight loss has the most long-term and healthiest results of all dietary supplements geared towards cutting those pounds.
I’m All For Fiber For Weight Loss…But How Does It Work?
Fiber is extremely filling, leading to an increase in appetite satisfaction that occurs much more quickly than it does with sugar or processed foods.
Natural fiber– from fruits and vegetables, specifically, satisfy on fewer calories than from other sources. Using fiber for weight loss is great because it contains no digestible calories…so any amounts of carbohydrates from fiber will not be stored as excess calories, but rather, will leave the body as waste. Using fiber for weight loss regimens not only aids in digestion, but also boosts the metabolism because the body works harder during digestion.
What Are The Best Sources of Fiber For Weight Loss?
The power players in the natural sources of fiber include apples, pears, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, artichokes, asparagus, flax seeds, oats, and beans. Fruits and veggies are calorically lower than whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans…but all natural plant-based sources of fiber are good choices to use fiber for weight loss.
How Much Fiber?
The average person should be aiming to eat 20-30 grams of fiber per day. However, up to 40 grams or even higher may be beneficial to those looking to use fiber for weight loss. Be aware– fiber may cause additional digestive activity…so introduce it slowly into your diet and be sure to adjust the amounts over time.
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