Dietary fiber is a plant-based carbohydrate that our bodies cannot fully digest. Unlike other carbs that break down into sugars, fiber passes through the digestive system mostly intact and plays an important role in our overall health. Fiber is found in plant based sources such as: Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, Nuts and Seeds. It’s generally a good idea to include high fiber foods with every meal in snack.
On a GLP-1 however, fiber can be tricky… too much fiber can be too filling, making it hard to eat enough calories, protein or other carbohydrates (and contribute to bloating). Too little (or sometimes too much) fiber can contribute to constipation, a known side effect. Every person reacts differently to fiber too, so finding the right amount for you can be challenging, especially with a digestive system behaving in new ways than what you’ve always known. My biggest tip is to start slow, deliberately vary your sources day to day, and gradually increase.
To better understand fiber, here are the basics (and lots of food ideas) …
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Summer the Dietitian Writes Sometimes to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.