By Gosh expert nutritionist Fiona Lawson | UPDATED: 11:28, 23 April 2020
FIBRE that is… The world went low-carb crazy for a while, but it seems we’re coming out the other side.
New research is highlighting both the importance of gut health and the value of eating fibre—a special type of carbohydrate found in plants.
This complex carbohydrate is so important that we’re advised to eat 30g daily and 90% of us aren’t eating enough.
With its plant-based, fibre-rich range of bites, burgers and sausages, Gosh! is the perfect source of fibre.
Fibre is particularly plentiful in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes.
But why is fibre so good for us?
Fibre’s special structure means it resists digestion so, instead of being absorbed in your small intestine, it carries on to your large intestine. Here it supports your health in several ways, including: Feeding your microbiome.
You’ve likely heard of your gut microbiome—the community of friendly microbes that live in your intestines. Certain types of fibre feed these friendly bacteria, helping them to flourish.
Gosh! nutritionist Fiona Lawson with the top fibre facts:
1. Keeping you regular
You may not talk about this in polite company, but passing stools is important! We should all be going at least once a day. Fibre bulks and softens your stools, keeping them moving through your digestive system at a healthy pace.
2. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
As it moves through your digestive system, fibre binds to cholesterol—stopping it from reaching your bloodstream. This is why eating fibre regularly can help you to achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
3. But that’s not all: fibre can help to optimise your weight too. A review of several studies found that enjoying fibre-rich carbohydrates helps people maintain or achieve their normal weight in the long-term.
4. Fibre is both filling and satisfying, which means that—unlike many low-carb diets—a fibre-rich way of eating is sustainable and more nutritious for your body and soul in the long run.