HONOR YOUR BODY

Some fibers help add bulk and support bowel regularity. Others help slow digestion and steady the rise of blood sugar after meals. Some bind to bile acids in the gut, which can help lower LDL cholesterol. Additionally, some fibers are fermented by gut bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids that support the gut environment and may play a role in metabolic and immune health.

When you walk, your muscles contract. Contracting muscles can take up glucose from the bloodstream, and this can happen through both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent pathways. In plain language: your muscles can use some of that post-meal glucose as fuel, which may help reduce the size or duration of the post-meal blood sugar rise.

Despite this, most women fall well short of recommended intakes. In the U.S., average fiber intake hovers around 15 grams per day, while recommendations are closer to 25–38 grams depending on age and energy needs. The gap isn’t trivial and the consequences show up across multiple body systems.

Navigating Holiday Nutrition with Confidence