As the nation grapples with weight loss plans for the New Year, a health expert has highlighted a crucial yet often overlooked element in our diets: fibre.
Steve Bennett, author of Fibre First, said: “Fibre is nature’s weight-loss superstar, and the more you consume, the faster you lose weight.”
His method emphasises working with the body’s hormones, particularly insulin, to achieve sustainable weight loss results.
According to Steve, fibre offers three powerful benefits that make it essential for weight loss.
Nuts are high in fibre
PA
The expert said: “If there’s one food group that can accelerate your weight loss journey, it’s fibre. When you eat fibre first or alongside a meal, it slows the release of glucose into your bloodstream. This means you need less insulin to manage the sugar, keeping your fat-storing hormone in check.
“Fibre has no useable calories because our bodies lack the enzyme to break it down. But here is the magic: it expands in your stomach, making you feel fuller for longer.
“When you are not constantly battling hunger or cravings, you naturally eat less and make better choices.
“Fibre is the food your gut bacteria love. A healthy microbiome regulates appetite, boosts metabolism, and even improves mood. Think of fibre as the ultimate nutrient for creating a balanced, thriving body.”
The primary focus of leading a fibre-focused diet is on removing sugary foods and those that convert to sugar in the body. This includes obvious treats like sweets, chocolate, pastries, and cakes.
Processed carbohydrates should also be minimised, including white bread, pasta, rice, and products made with refined flour.
Steve said: “This is not about saying goodbye forever. It is about realising the impact these foods have on your body and prioritising choices that work with your metabolism, not against it.
“By swapping these for real, fibre-rich foods, you will feel more satisfied, reduce cravings, and unlock your body’s natural fat-burning ability.”
The expert also explained that fibre is a game changer because it eliminates hunger and cravings; two of the biggest saboteurs of any weight loss effort.
To keep focus and motivated Steve advised understanding the science behind the method to see the long-term goal that you can achieve.
He said: “You do not need a degree in nutrition, just a basic understanding of how sugar and carbohydrates affect insulin and fat storage.
“The more weight you want to lose, the more you need to keep insulin low. That means prioritising whole, unprocessed foods that nourish your body without spiking blood sugar.
“Weight loss is not about willpower. It is about creating habits that you enjoy and can stick to for life. Start small, add fibre, and let the results motivate you.”