Fiber: the Nutrient Everyone Forgets About

“Make sure all of your meals have protein in them!” is probably a sentence that you have heard a lot recently. Protein has become so popular and seems to be in everything. High protein snacks, protein shakes, protein bars… Clean Simple Eats has even made protein water! And don't get me wrong, the rise of protein's popularity has its benefits, but there is another nutrient that I believe deserves some hype as well. 

Fiber

It is not the nutrient that influencers are promoting. You probably aren't seeing people brag about meeting their fiber goals for the day and the fiber shake that they made. But maybe they should be.

Fiber does not get enough credit for what it does for us! In fact, most people are so focused on hitting their daily protein goal, they end up not getting enough fiber at all. I think it's time for fiber to have its moment in the spotlight too! 

So what exactly does fiber do?

For starters, fiber helps to keep your digestion running smoothly. When you have a meal or snack with fiber, it acts like a broom, helping to move food through your digestive tract. If you're like me, that's probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the nutrient. But fiber does a lot more than that. Fiber can also stabilize blood sugars and support healthy cholesterol. So in other words, fiber is not merely digestive help, it is working to support your body in some important ways. When you pair fiber with protein, the two become especially powerful, keeping you fuller for longer.

Here are some easy ways to add more fiber into your diet:

Add Rosemary Seasalt Absurd Absurd Snacks to your salad. These are a great replacement for croutons. The rosemary adds such great flavor and the chickpeas add a satisfying crunch! Plus, they are gluten free anddd contain both fiber and plant-based protein! 

Take a handful of the Maple Cinnamon Crunch Mix and sprinkle it onto your morning bowl of yogurt. I especially love Fage Greek Yogurt. The protein from the yogurt mixed with the fiber from the crunchy topping will help to keep you full and satisfied. 

Protein is not going anywhere, and that's a good thing! It is important for muscle growth and recovery. But I think it is time that we stop only chasing after a protein goal. Fiber deserves to be recognized and prioritized as well. It doesn't have to be complicated, just a few simple swaps will do the trick! Make some oatmeal for breakfast, pack raspberries in your lunch and throw some Absurd Snacks in your gym bag. So go ahead and keep hitting those protein goals, but don't forget about fiber, too!