Latest news with #Riehm
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors And Nutrition Pros Say That 'Fibermaxxing' Can Help With Weight Loss And Gut Health
A new viral social media trend has everyone "fibermaxxing." This basically means you're aiming to 'meet or exceed' the recommended daily fiber intake. Only 5 percent of people get enough fiber in their diets, according to experts, so eating more is a smart move. There's no doubt about it: Fiber has become the supplement queen these past few years. It makes sense, considering it can do everything from support your digestive health to help with weight management. And, as with any buzzy health trend, fiber has slowly made its way onto the TikTok algorithm, with users pointing out its health benefits and telling followers they're prioritizing high fiber foods. They've even come up with a new term, "fibermaxxing," to describe this intense fiber focus. But what is fibermaxxing, exactly, and is this a social media health trend something you should actually try? Women's Health asked some experts to weigh in, and they had a few thoughts on things to consider before diving in. Meet the experts: Sara K. Riehm, RD, is a dietitian at Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement; Mir Ali, MD, is a board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. Technically, "fibermaxxing" isn't a medical term, but it's based on nutritional recommendations on how much fiber to eat in a day. The practice 'encourages maximizing fiber intake in meals and snacks to promote digestive health and overall well-being,' explains Sara K. Riehm, RD, a dietitian at Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement. With fibermaxxing, you aim to 'meet or exceed' the recommended daily fiber intake, which is usually between 25 to 38 grams for adults. People do this by eating a range of fiber-rich foods and sometimes by using supplements, Riehm explains. FWIW, some of the biggest sources of dietary fiber include unsweetened, high-fiber cereal, bulgar wheat, lima beans, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 'We're going to see fiber showing up in the highest amounts in plant foods,' Riehm says. There are two main types of fiber: Soluble and insoluble. 'Soluble fiber slows digestion, while insoluble fiber speeds up digestion,' Riehm says. 'We can use these to our advantage when we're dealing with diarrhea or constipation respectively.' Well, getting enough fiber really is great for your overall health. Fiber is a macronutrient with plenty of health perks, but research suggests that just 5 percent of people get enough fiber in their diet. 'Fiber will help keep your colonic movements regular,' says Mir Ali, MD, board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. 'It helps maintain a healthy gut flora, which could be important for maintaining normal metabolism and hormone levels.' Fiber can help lower cholesterol, too. 'Soluble fiber will bind to cholesterol molecules and help us excrete them rather than them getting absorbed into the bloodstream,' Riehm says. Because soluble fiber is digested slower, it helps with blood sugar control, too, she says. Fiber even adds bulk to your food, making you feel fuller, longer, and potentially helping to support weight loss, Dr. Ali says. 'It's a very powerful super nutrient, so including more of it in our diet can really make a positive impact on our health,' Riehm adds. For the most part, experts say you're just fine to try fibermaxxing. 'This is one of the safer nutrition trends I've seen,' Riehm says. 'It's focused on consuming nutrient-dense foods and including more of one of the most beneficial components of our diet.' But, of course, everyone is different. 'There's always a chance someone could have too much of a good thing,' Riehm says. 'There are certain GI conditions where it isn't appropriate to have high levels of fiber, and you may want to talk to your doctor before implementing a meal plan like this.' Dr. Ali and Riehm stress the importance of ramping up your fiber intake slowly. Meaning, don't just suddenly go all in with fiber if you haven't had much in the past. Otherwise, you could end up dealing with gas and bloating. 'You also want to make sure you're drinking a lot of fluids,' Ali says. 'If you don't drink enough, fiber can bind you up, leading to constipation.' Sounds like you might be interested? Experts generally say 'go for it.' Just remember to start slow. Get the Plan Get the Plan Get the Plan Get the Plan Get the Plan Get the Plan You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
'Oatzempic' diet drink for weight loss: Does it work and is it safe?
As Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications continue to grow in popularity for weight loss, a concoction dubbed "oatzempic" is trending. The blended beverage, which consists of oats, lime juice, water and sometimes cinnamon, has been described on social media as a "weight-loss drink." Some TikTok users have shared their own experiences with oatzempic. After 24 days of consistently drinking the beverage, TikTok user @fred_ddy92 reported that it's "definitely working" in terms of helping him lose weight. The content creator stressed that it's "not a meal replacement" — but said it does make him feel full. Registered dietitian Sara Riehm, a certified specialist in obesity and weight management at Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement, shared her thoughts in an interview with Fox News Digital. "While it's not likely to yield much weight loss on its own, it could be a helpful tool as part of a larger, more comprehensive weight-loss plan," she said. Oatzempic is not likely to be effective as a solo tool for weight loss, Riehm reiterated, but it could be part of a healthy diet and exercise program. "Oatzempic only becomes dangerous when you consume it as your sole source of nutrition," she said. "It should be added as a supplement to your intake, not a substitute." Oats are full of soluble fiber, the dietitian noted, which slows digestion and "keeps us feeling fuller for longer." "Starting your day with a soluble fiber food source (or drink like this) could help you stay satiated and make it easier to make healthier choices throughout the day," Riehm said. "The cinnamon adds some nice flavor, but I'd say it's OK to skip the lime juice." While some experts claim that lime juice can speed up metabolism, Riehm said there "isn't much scientific evidence to support this claim — especially in the amount recommended for this drink." She would consider adding an oatzempic-inspired drink to breakfast if there isn't already enough soluble fiber, like whole grains or fruit, the expert said. "If you aren't consuming breakfast at all, this is also a good, quick option," she said. "It's hard to make good decisions when we're hungry, so this is a great way to set yourself up for success with your nutrition choices throughout the rest of the day." Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist in New York, told Fox News Digital that she's more skeptical of the trend as a form of weight loss. "This is not a healthy way to promote weight loss." "People will do anything for a quick fix and to avoid doing the work of actually changing behaviors and learning how to eat for individual health," she said. "This is not a healthy way to promote weight loss," she asserted. "It's another way to avoid learning how to eat nutritionally dense foods consistently, move more and sit less, and focus on making healthier lifestyle choices." While she agreed that oats contain fiber, which promotes satiety and blood sugar control and can ward off cravings for starchy and sugary foods, DeCicco said that isn't enough to warrant the use of the drink for weight loss. "Maybe this is helping certain people prevent sugar cravings and eat less because they were previously not including any fiber in their diet, but I think it's a big reach to say that half a cup of oats is the reason people are losing weight," she said. She does recommend increasing fiber intake, however. "If the American public started to eat more fiber, they would absolutely feel fuller, snack less, weigh less and prevent more disease," DeCicco said. For more Lifestyle articles, visit If oatzempic does have any effect on weight loss, it could be because it simply has fewer calories than a "regular" meal, DeCicco suggested. "If you reduce calories from even one meal a day, you're more likely to lose weight," she said. "However, this is not a long-term solution to weight loss. It's not sustainable to drink liquid meals for long periods of time, so most [people] will gain the weight back." The drink also "falls short in many areas, such as not including antioxidants from vegetables or fruit or any good-for-you omega-3 fatty acids." "Long-term weight loss is individually based," DeCicco said. It requires "consistency and a change in habits and behaviors."
