Earlier this year we asked our Facebook Fans, “What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to ‘squeezing in’ nutrition?” The “bulk” of your answers: Making fiber fit. So to “get things moving” we turned to NeverSayDiet.com’s Karolina Starczak who came up with weeks of “regular” fiber-filled guest blog posts. Here’s the first installment from her series “Squeezing in Fiber Can Get Rough:”

Fiber’s claim to fame may have started with “an apple a day”…, but if you’ve been keeping tabs on our dear old friend, then you probably know that it’s been popping up in everything from Splenda® to yogurt. Yep! Artificial sweeteners with fiber—a little over the top in my opinion, but it definitely places fiber in the supermarket hall of fame. So what’s the big deal with fiber and why is it bombarding store shelves everywhere?

Technically, fiber is a carbohydrate, but our bodies cannot break it down. Its resistance to our digestive enzymes gives it unique characteristics that benefit us in several ways and give this unbreakable carb health properties unlike any other nutrient. Not only can it lower cholesterol and the risk of diabetes, but it helps keep us fuller longer while keeping our digestive tracts healthy and regular.

This week’s Making Fiber Fit Tip from Karolina:

• Skip fruit and veggie juices. While juices can have plenty of vitamins and taste great, they lack the fiber of whole fruits and vegetables. A cup of apple juice only has 0.2 grams of fiber, but a whole crunchy apple can have about 5 grams, depending on the size.

Please note: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for the advice or treatment given by your doctor or dietitian. Please consult with a registered dietitian or your doctor if you have any questions about the information in this post.