r/loseit • u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011 • 16h ago
PSA: Fiber is like cheat mode to weight loss.
I've been slightly overweight now for a few years. I've experimented with a couple different diets and calorie tracking methods. My go-to a year ago was Keto, and I saw a bit of success with that, but then I fell off the wagon and started drinking again. I blew up to about 180lbs a month ago. I quit drinking and started to prioritize fiber intake for two reasons:
1) I learned quite a bit more about the effects of short chained fatty acids, and other gut bacterial byproducts, that really help optimize your digestion and metabolism, and provide a ton of other benefits.
2) I wanted to really limit my calories to about a 800/day deficit and I didn't want to feel really hungry all the time doing it.
So I've started to track fiber in take in the same way I used to really prioritize tracking protein intake. I aim for about 30g/1000 calories, which is about double the USDA recommendation. So this really entices more consumption of legumes, whole grains, etc - I eat lots of lentils, split peas, vegetables, red river cereal, berries, etc.
It's been exactly 1 month today and I went from 180lbs to ~170lbs. Plus or minus 2-3 lbs for both owing to hydration, time of day, etc - that's pretty decent progress. By my estimation that's averaging around 1.5lbs to 2lbs a week when you exclude all the potential noise represented on the scale. AND it has saved me quite a bit of money because although I still eat meat, the consumption of it has decreased because I just feel really full after I eat my fiber source. I never really feel hungry, I usually feel pretty satiated. The first week I felt pretty hungry, but then I got used to the diet and now I feel good.
I won't lie, it can potentially take the enjoyment out of food because 30g/1000 calories kind of necessitates quite a bit of really high fiber foods like beans, lentils, split peas, quinoa, etc. But I've also picked up some crafty ways to make those things more flavorful.
So to conclude, I feel like aiming for fiber has been an excellent weight loss tactic for me. It may be worth a shot if you're feeling stubbornly hungry, or want to mix strategies up.