Numerous studies indicate that normal weight people tend to eat higher fiber diets, while heavy people tend to eat low fiber. A high fiber diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. These diets generally tend to be healthier because they’re naturally lower in fat and sugar. The key is that high fiber diets are based on high fiber, plant foods. It does not mean that adding fiber supplements to a high fat, high sugar diet will cause weight loss.

Eating more fiber is a very good idea. But this is best accomplished by eating more vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Your whole diet becomes healthier. You may end up eating fewer calories, because fiber foods fill you up more. You may end up eating less fat and sugar because you replace high calorie items with healthier choices. So a high fiber diet won’t make you lose weight, but it’s likely to help you lose weight.

For more information on a high fiber diet see the following article from TheDietChannel: High Fiber Diet and Fat and Daily fiber intake: How much is ideal?

Donna Feldman, MS, RD Contributing Expert

Have a question for our Experts? Send it in!