How Does Fiber Help With Weight Loss?

If you are currently following a weight loss plan that involves exercise and diet, then you may see some good results over time. However, if you are looking for some quick weight loss solutions, then you may need to tweak your plan just a bit to encourage your body to lose weight. Adding fiber to your diet can help. Keep reading to find out how.

It Passes Through The Body

Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that is similar to the carbs in your bread, cereal, rice, and other foods you eat. However, fiber is not broken down by the body and converted into sugar for storage. Fiber cannot be digested, and thus it moves through your digestive system without adding any calories to your diet. While this is true, the fiber takes up space in your stomach and digestive tract as it moves through your system. This makes you feel like you are full, but you do not need to consume more calories to do so. 

Adding foods to your diet that are high in fiber and low in calories overall is best for weight loss. Beans, lentils, peas, broccoli, lima beans, pears, apples, and oatmeal are a few good choices. 

While most fruits and vegetables do contain a good amount of fiber, keep in mind that the peels and skins contain the most. This means that you can get more fiber from a whole apple or pear than a peeled one. 

It Reduces Sugar Levels

High sugar levels can contribute to weight gain. The body uses sugar as fuel, but it only needs to convert so much sugar to energy. The leftover and abundant sugar in the body is converted to fat and is stored. 

It can be extremely difficult to limit your sugar intake directly, especially if you follow a diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. Sugar in itself is needed by the body, but you want to provide the sugar in more controlled and long term manner. This is where fiber comes in. When you eat soluble fiber, the food mixes with water and creates a paste or gel in your digestive system. This gel slows down the absorption of sugar, since sugar mixes in with the fiber and water. 

Slow absorption means prolonged energy and very little storage of sugar as fat. You do want to consume more than enough water though to make sure that the fiber soaks up enough fluid. Drink one full glass of water at each meal and also sip on fluid throughout the day and in between meals. Talk to a weight loss doctor for more help.


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