I remember being in my 20’s grabbing a fiber granola bar from the store because I had heard that fiber was important (but didn’t know why). I ate that bar in the afternoon and hit the gym.  And oh my gosh! I was miserable!  I was extremely gassy and bloated and had a tummy ache the rest of the night.  I swore off any fiber-boosting bar again!  But really, I had a lot I needed to learn about fiber.  Given my less-than-optimal diet and the constant gut issues I was dealing with when I ran, it’s no wonder that fiber bar made me feel like poop.

When you think of fiber what comes to mind?  Do you think of gross cereal that your grandpa ate?  Do you think of running to the bathroom frequently?  Or do you think of gas and bloating?  Did you know that you should get at least 24 grams of fiber every single day?  Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet, also known as the SAD diet, typically provides only about 8 grams of fiber.  Common questions I receive from clients are what fiber actually does and what sources of fiber are.  So let’s learn!

What is Fiber?

Remember that there are 3 main groups of macronutrients that provide nutrients and energy - fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.  Fiber is a component of carbohydrates.  While carbs are typically digested into sugars, fiber is a component that the body cannot digest.  In fact, fiber can actually regulate how your body utilizes the sugar in carbohydrates.  But don’t misconstrue my words here.  While fiber is a component of carbs, not all carbs contain fiber.  I don’t want you eating a bowl of candy and thinking you are getting all kinds of fiber.  Fiber comes from plants, not Sour Patch Kids. Before we get into sources of fiber, let’s further break down fiber and the important roles it plays.

Fiber can be categorized as soluble or insoluble.  Soluble fiber dissolves in water and becomes gelatinous while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water.  Soluble fiber helps with blood sugar regulation and is important for healthy cholesterol levels (by binding to cholesterol in bile).  Insoluble fiber attracts water and can alleviate constipation.  Insoluble fiber can also increase insulin sensitivity which also affects blood sugar regulation.  Most plants contain soluble and insoluble fiber but in varying amounts.  Think of fiber as your sponge to sop up toxins and wastes to move them along in our GI tract.  And remember, our gut is the foundation for all of our health!  As Hippocrates stated,

All disease begins in the gut

What Are the Benefits of Fiber?

Check out these other benefits fiber can provide:

• Normalizes bowel habits - You should be pooping 2-3 TIMES PER DAY!  If you are not, you may be FOS.  Dietary fiber increases the size and weight of your fecal material, which is easier to pass.  The normal transit time from ingestion to elimination is 12-24 hours.  Less than 12 hours (diarrhea), if chronic, can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.  

• Can decrease colon disease risks - I’m going to say it again in case you forgot…..you should be pooping 2-3 times per day.  Your fecal material contains toxins, bacteria, excess hormones, and additional wastes.  The longer the waste sits in your colon, the more likely those wastes are going to be reabsorbed by your body.  If your transit time is greater than 24 hours, you are at greater risk for colon disease and an increased toxic burden.

• Aids in weight management - High-fiber foods are more filling and slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.  Being more satiated with food and blood sugar control can also support a healthy weight and decreases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

• Feeds the gut bacteria - Some fibers are fermentable (prebiotic) which feed the good bacteria of the gut.  Gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids which aid in healthy blood glucose and cholesterol levels, a thriving microbiome, and immune health.

How Much Fiber Do I Need?

So how do you know if you are getting enough fiber? Beyond tallying your daily fiber intake per day, you can also look at the story your poop is telling you. Yes, I want you to look in the toilet and take note of the size, shape, and texture of your poop. You can reference this Bristol Stool chart to see how your poop compares.

As for food sources, here are some foods that provide excellent sources of fiber.

Can Fiber Cause Constipation?

Now that you have an understanding of why fiber is important and some sources, you can start increasing your fiber consumption.  You want to start low and slow if you do not currently have a diet high in fiber as your body will need to adjust.  Remember how I ate that fiber bar and had some negative GI side effects?  I increased my fiber intake waaaaay too fast and my body could not process it well.  To help balance the effects of fiber, you also want to make sure you drink half of your weight in ounces of water every single day.  Being dehydrated can lead to constipation in general but even more so with an increased fiber intake as well. 

Also important to note is a lot of high-fiber foods are also high FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, mono- saccharides, and polyols) foods.  FODMAP foods refer to how the carbohydrates of the food are structured.  If you are experiencing an increase in gas and bloating that does not resolve as you increase your fiber, you may want to explore SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and a culprit.  

The information available on this website is for general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should not rely exclusively on information provided on the Website for your health needs. You can read more about our disclaimer here.