Why Fiber?

What is Fiber and How Does it Affect Body Weight?
Fiber is the part of carbohydrates that cannot be digested. It is found in the tough cell walls of plants – fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains – that the body cannot break down. Fiber is not found in animal products.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) recommends women get 25 to 35 grams of fiber in their diet daily, and men, 38 grams, yet most adults in the U.S. get only 9 to 11 grams of fiber per day, less than half of the recommended amount. This is due to our over-reliance on processed foods that have been stripped of fiber.  Lack of fiber in the diet leaves people hungry and more prone to overeating.

Fibrous Vegetables Used In F-Factor Diet

How Does Fiber Work?

Fiber is the indigestible part of the carbohydrate.  The fiber passes through the digestive tract and exits the body, so there is no reason to count it. Only the carb portion of a food contributes calories, so foods that are high in fiber and low in net carbohydrates (calculated by subtracting a food serving’s dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates) pack the least calories.

Why Fiber Makes
Weight Loss Easier

Adds Bulk to Food

Fiber adds bulk to food, which helps to fill you up without filling you out.

Slow Digestion

Fiber slows digestion and supports blood sugar levels already in the normal range, which curbs sugar cravings and sustains energy.

Boosts Metabolism

Fiber boosts metabolism. The human body can’t digest fiber, but it attempts to, burning calories in the process.

Absorbs Calories

Fiber swells in the stomach, absorbing calories and fat from other foods in the meal before the body can absorb them.

Satisfies Hunger

High-fiber foods satisfy hunger because they require more chewing, which prompts the secretion of saliva in the mouth and gastric juices in the stomach that promote satiety by signaling the brain when it is full.

Dietary Fiber Comes in Two Forms:
Soluble and Insoluble

Soluble fiber

swells like a sponge in the stomach giving food a jellylike bulk that makes you feel full. Soluble fiber also binds with calories and fat in the stomach and intestines and pulls them out of the body before they can enter the bloodstream. Good sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, oat cereal, oat bran, apples, oranges, pears, lentils, strawberries, nuts, beans, dried peas, blueberries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots.

Most whole plant foods contain both types of fiber. Eating a variety of fiber-rich foods will provide you with beneficial amounts of both.

Insoluble Fiber

Also known as roughage, includes the woody or structural parts of plants. Insoluble fiber works like nature’s broom, helping speed the passage of material through the digestive tract, burning calories in the process. Good sources of insoluble fiber include: whole wheat, whole grains, wheat bran, corn bran, barley, couscous, brown rice, bulgur, seeds, nuts, zucchini, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, as well as certain fruits, such as apples, as well as raisins, grapes, root vegetables eaten with skin.

Soluble and Insoluble Fiber F Factor

Other Ways Fiber Promotes
Optimal Health and Wellness

More Energy

Eating fiber and protein together supports blood glucose levels already in the normal range, providing your body with sustained energy.

Flatter Stomach

Eating a high-fiber diet helps you have complete and regular bowel movements. Fiber increases stool bulk, which helps promote regularity and bloating.

Clearer Skin

Fiber soaks up toxins and eliminates them through the digestive tract instead of your pores, producing brighter, clearer skin. Many fiber-rich fruits and vegetables also provide the antioxidant power that helps fight aging.

Improved Sleep

Eating refined carbs late in the day cause your blood sugar level to peak and then crash during sleep, which is why some people get up in the middle of the night. Eating foods rich in fiber helps support blood sugar levels already in the normal range, which in turn promotes undistributed rest.

Healthier Gut

Fiber is a prebiotic that plays a fundamental role in gut health, and overall health and wellness