Fiber is an essential component of any healthy diet, but it’s especially important to make sure you’re eating enough of it if you’re trying to slim down. As Dr. Sarah Mathis, board-certified physician tells us, fiber aids in the absorption of food and helps keep our energy levels steady all day long. “Fiber also is important to help bulk up the food so we can get full on fewer calories,” she adds. All of this can help promote healthy, sustainable weight loss. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty ways to fit more fiber into your diet in order to reap all of these benefits. In fact, there are several high-fiber foods you can snack on every day without having to worry about thwarting your weight loss goals.
To discover some of the best options out there, we asked Mathis to share her favorite fiber-filled foods. She told us that berries, broccoli, and okra are all great choices that can help you slim down while still staying full. Learn more about each below!
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1. Berries
Berries are one of the best, simplest, and most delicious ways to fit some more fiber into your diet if you're trying to lose weight. Mathis points out that not are only are they packed with fiber, but this fruit is also low in calories and high in vitamin C—two qualities that are a match made in weight loss heaven. Additionally, she tells us that berries are "filling and high in water content, so you can eat an entire carton without any guilt!" Yum!
2. Broccoli
It's no secret that broccoli is great for your overall health. After all, that's why your parents were always telling you to finish the broccoli on your plate at dinnertime! Mathis says this superfood makes a great addition to a weight loss diet. "Not only is it full of fiber but it contains sulfurophane, a substance that helps protect your DNA and slow tumor growth (that can decrease your cancer risk) and decrease inflammation," she says. Plus, there are so many ways to prepare this green veggie. "You can eat a large plateful either steamed, blended up into a soup or even take the stems and 'rice them' to turn into your favorite salad like coleslaw," Mathis suggests. The more you know!
3. Okra
Here's one you don't hear about every day! Mathis says that okra, although often overlooked, is one high-fiber food you can snack on to your heart's content while you're on your weight loss journey. "It is so slimming and packed full of fiber!" she raves. Plus, it's great for your digestive health. "Okra helps to slow down your digestion while also helping to 'clean' everything out," Mathis goes on. If you're looking to get more okra in the diet but are concerned about the taste, she offers some advice. "Its taste is hidden when blended into smoothies or even healthy desserts," she says. "Or you can add it into your soups or stews or even air fry it and make it super crispy!" Now that's a snack you can feel good about!
