For as long as I could remember, my life revolved around food. I used to be able to proudly eat a cheeseburger and milkshake as an afternoon snack and not gain any weight. Over indulging was something I did mindlessly up until my mid-20s, because, yes, you guessed it, all my indulgences caught up to me. I gained a bit of weight, not enough to motivate me to do anything about my eating habits, but then eventually I did start to have digestive issues and severe bloating concerns and pains. 

After a few years of yo-yo dieting and not seeing any results, I started following health and wellness bloggers alike to try and make a change. This led me to following the F-Factor diet, which is the first time I started seeing results. I started looking and feeling good and felt inspired to share my healthy tips with my friends and family. Why share all of this? Because I am more inspired than ever to inspire others to be healthy – and I want to catch them before their indulgences catch up to them. I believe in preventative whole health, in mindful eating and living life happy and well. So, now let’s talk about my favorite F word: Fiber.

What is fiber?

Fiber is part of carbohydrates that cannot be digested. It acts like a sponge that absorbs carbs, fats and sugars and ushers them - and their calories out of your body. It also provides bulk and helps you feel fuller longer. Additionally, fiber rich foods have some pretty amazing health benefits.

So, what are the health benefits of fiber?

A few key health benefits include:

• Fiber protects against heart disease

• Decreases the risk of diabetes

• Reduces blood pressure

• Supports healthy weight loss and management

Tell me more

I try to get about 35 g of fiber a day, but you should consult with your doctor to determine if you need more or less. You can find fiber in fruits like apples, pears, berries, avocados and veggies like artichoke, carrots and spinach. You can also find fiber in grains and whole wheat and yes, the famous GG crackers are filled with fiber.

Fiber has helped me lose weight and maintain a healthy weight and I try to get a lot of it from whole foods. I also use f-factor powder here and there for delicious waffles and smoothies!

Source: Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D. Instagram and “The F-Factor Diet” book