Boosting fiber intake can be as straightforward as consuming more whole foods, according to Krystal. Rather than opting for expensive fiber-enhanced options, incorporating natural sources like beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables into your diet is recommended.
Krystal suggests adding ingredients such as chia and flax seeds to recipes for an extra fiber boost. “They’re great in smoothies or oatmeal or puddings,” she advised.
Gut Health
There is a growing trend of people openly discussing gut health, a shift that has contributed to the rising popularity of kimchi in the United States. This traditional Korean dish, made with napa cabbage, salt, seasoning paste, and sugar, is known to aid digestion.
“Kimchi and fresh pickles … those are all things that are really easy to work into cooking as well,” Krystal noted. “I love kimchi in a grilled cheese.”
Krystal observed an increase in the variety of fermented foods available in grocery stores, attributing it to consumer interest. “It does seem to be one of those things where I feel like every time I go to the grocery store, there’s some new bougie-style brand of fermented foods in the refrigerated aisle or the produce aisle,” she commented.
When asked about the public’s fascination with health trends such as protein, fiber, and gut health, Krystal believes the quest for a straightforward solution is a significant factor. People are “constantly looking for a silver bullet” to improve their well-being.
“I feel like people just want a solution, so they look to these single-minded types of products or trends (as) almost a shortcut,” she remarked. “And, of course, it’s a lot more nuanced than that.”
For those interested in incorporating more fiber and enhancing gut health, Krystal recommends trying the kidney bean, lentil, and tempeh chili or the beef stew with butternut squash and chickpeas. These recipes are simple and align with healthier eating goals.
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