The unexpected new trend in nutrition
I love following nutrition trends. Like all the other nutrition nerds, I go to the Natural Products Expo every year (a mecca for all things nutrition and wellness-related), and I take note of all the latest food and product trends. I follow all sorts of nutrition experts on Instagram, listen to all the podcasts, and thanks to being a Masters student I also read a lot of the latest research studies in nutrition. Big trends in the last year or so have included matcha, mushrooms, healthy fats, adaptogens, elixirs, and the almighty avocado toast... all of which I can definitely get down with. But there's an outsider trend, an unexpected, unsexy nutrient that is absolutely making its way into the nutrition spotlight, and I'm pumped about it. The new trendy nutrient is FIBER!!!
Yes, friends, I said fiber. The word alone tends to raise thoughts of those orange Metamucil containers, old people, and, well, poop. We don't exactly hear celebrities exposing their high-fiber habits on the red carpet. While magazines and books happily feature colorful foods packed with antioxidants, touting their anti-aging magic, fiber hides quietly under the radar. But fiber is such an essential part of a healthy diet, with the ability to help lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss and detoxification, and improve digestion. The healthy microbes in our gut depend on fiber as food, so it's also an essential player in the health of the microbiome. It's no wonder this underdog is ready for its time to shine!
Just ask Tanya Zuckerbrot, author and founder of the F-Factor diet, book, and brand. I heard Tanya raving about fiber on The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her podcast, and she sold me on the fact that none of us are getting enough fiber in our diets. 35+ grams a day, people! We need to work on this, since most are getting around 10 grams a day. (Helpful hint: it's usually best to increase our fiber intake slowly to avoid digestive discomfort.) Even a recent Wall Street Journal Article focused on the many benefits of fiber, which can be added to our daily menu in a variety of yummy ways: yes, oats are a classic, but did you know that raspberries are super high in fiber?! So are lentils, peas, broccoli, and even avocado.
If you want to get on board with one of the easiest, most beneficial trends in nutrition, start paying attention to your fiber intake. See if it helps you feel fuller longer, or if your digestion improves, or if your doctor congratulates you on a better lipid profile. And don't be afraid to talk about it! After all, it's super trendy ;)
