Let’s Talk About Fiber (and Why Your Gut Will Love You for It) You’ve probably heard that fiber is good for you. But what kind of fiber? And what does it actually do once it lands in your digestive tract? Here’s a quick, no-nonsense breakdown of the two types of fiber—soluble and insoluble—and why your body needs both to thrive. Soluble Fiber: The Soaker & Slower Soluble fiber is the type that dissolves in water and turns into a gel-like substance in your gut (think: chia pudding or oats soaking overnight). This magical goo slows down digestion, which: • Keeps you feeling fuller for longer (yes, it helps with those 3 p.m. pantry raids) • Stabilizes your blood sugar • Helps lower cholesterol • And bonus: it feeds your good gut bugs (hello, prebiotics!) You’ll find soluble fiber in foods like: Oats, apples, flaxseed, beans, lentils, chia seeds, and carrots. So next time you’re making brekkie, throw in some soaked chia or a spoon of flax. Your microbiome will throw a party. Insoluble Fiber: The Broom of the Gut This is the “roughage” you might remember hearing about in the ‘90s. Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water. Instead, it bulks up your stool (yep, we’re going there) and keeps everything moving along the digestive highway. Its key benefits: • Helps food pass more easily through your system • Keeps your bowel movements regular (and let’s be honest, regular = happy) • Supports detoxification Insoluble fiber is found in: Whole grains, nuts, cauliflower, green beans, and the skins of fruits and veggies. (So stop peeling those apples, friends.) ⸻ Soluble fiber = slow it down, feed the gut bugs Insoluble fiber = bulk it up, move it through You need both. Every day. And thankfully, it’s not hard to sneak them in. Add beans to your salad. Throw a handful of nuts into your yogurt. Embrace the skin-on potatoes. It’s not sexy, but fiber might just be one of the most underrated tools in your midlife health toolkit. Read More