Dumb Question (I get smarter from these) :) ...Fiber??

I've had this dilema as well and have found other ways of gettin fiber into my diet. I've started putting chia seeds in my cottage cheese and protein shakes, as well as fiber powders like fiber one and such. I'm much more prone to the chia seeds as they def fill you up and are essentially tasteless and you can put them in anything. Spinach, broccoli, green beans have some fiber in them as well. I'm on a prety strict low carb diet...under 80 grams a day but high in protein. My body just doesn't have the awesomeness to enjoy carbs and I recognize that. (don't appreciate it, but recognize it) It's been about 8 months of bein gon this "lifestyle change" and learning about what I can and can't have and food portions and such, but I was DEF lacking in fiber and assumed they were cabrs as well. But you cna get your fiber other ways.

Best of Luck,

Yes. Fiber is the common term for cellulose, which is a sugar. Namely, it's the sugar the makes up cell walls (of plants and protists etc). HOWEVER, cellulose is not digestible to humans. Herbivores have several stomachs to break it down, but it just goes right through us. So yes, cellulose is a sugar, and no, it is not used by your body. You just poop it out.

And there is no need to be afraid of carbs. They are necessary to your body function. Your body can break down the carbohydrates into simpler sugars quickly, rather than having to convert more complex molecules such as proteins (which it can do, but would rather not). Without going into a huge lecture on cellular respiration, Carbs = ATP and NADH and FADH2 (energy molecules.) As long as you hit your macros, enjoy all the carbs you like.

You need a certain amount of fiber in your diet to properly process the food you're eating. Although natural fiber is contained in a variety of foods, including vegetables and grains, you should be more concerned about not getting enough than getting too much. If you're eating a well balanced diet, including lots of fruits and veggies, then you are probably okay. You can track your fiber intake on MFP by modifying your tracking categories under food. It will give you a target and you can soon identify high fiber, low cal foods that will help your digestive system and still allow you to lose weight. I get most of mine through whole grain oatmeal, fiber enriched bread, bosc pears, apples, berries and brussel sprouts (for example). None of these foods are going to sabotage a healthy diet when eaten in moderation. Good luck!

If you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables then you are likely gettng enough fiber.

I'm not sure why you fear carbs, but personally I think fiber is the important factor when considering carbs. Higher fiber foods with carbs, such as beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits I try to eat more often than low fiber carb foods like overly processed (white) grains and added sugars.

You can set your Food Diary to show fiber as one of your five columns. I think thhe recommended is 25-40g a day (?)

Or, go to the Printable Version of your Food Diary (see that orange button at the bottom of your Food Diary?) Fiber is tracked by default anyway on the printable version. So you can see it there.

I guess I can try and research this myself but can someone just tell me isn't Fiber really just carbs in most cases? I just watched a special that said fiber was the "broom" of your body and you need plenty of it to sweep away all junk...(yea I get that) but I'm afraid of carbs at this point...... I eat plenty of spinach, romaine, veggies etc- do you think I'm ok on the Fiber Front?

fiber, starches, and sugars are carbs.

don't be afraid of carbs.

you need carbs... well, technically you don't *need* them if you're healthy, but they are the body's most readily available form of energy from your diet.

there are diet plans out there that preach certain foods are "bad". if you're adhering to one of those such plans and they've told you that all carbs are "bad", then take some time to search out and learn from many wise people on here who have repeatedly debunked those sorts of claims.

there is nothing wrong or unhealthy about meeting your daily carb macro goal, and some percentage of that goal should be fiber.

Yes. Fiber is the common term for cellulose, which is a sugar. Namely, it's the sugar the makes up cell walls (of plants and protists etc). HOWEVER, cellulose is not digestible to humans. Herbivores have several stomachs to break it down, but it just goes right through us. So yes, cellulose is a sugar, and no, it is not used by your body. You just poop it out.

huh, didn't realize it was a sugar.

I'm going to go ahead and say its not really a 'carb' for people since there is no nutritional value, even though its a sugar molecule.