THAT HIGH FIBER LIFE
Let’s dip our toes this week into a topic that feels cloaked in mystery and misinformation: women’s health. It’s wild how little we actually know about our own bodies and the way they work, what’s normal, what’s suspect, and what lies between. What we learned in fifth grade sex-ed doesn’t cut the mustard. The other day, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, an interview with Dr. Jen Gunter, an OBGYN who’s dedicated to dispelling online misinformation about women’s health. If you haven’t listened to this episode yet (or any of Mel Robbins’ podcasts), I highly recommend it. The conversation is frank and funny, and Dr. Gunter speaks in plain language that makes you wonder why this stuff isn’t common knowledge.
The biggest immediate, actionable takeaway for me? (There were so many, but this is one that I was actually able to do this morning!) I need more fiber. Dr. Gunter says in an Instagram post: “Eating 25 g of fiber a day is one of those rare interventions that is good for so many things. A high fiber diet is associated with a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, many cancers, and more.” She mentioned that fiber not only reduces constipation and improves lipid profiles but is also linked to lower blood pressure - the benefits just keep stacking up. It’s refreshing to hear advice focused on adding something positive to your diet, rather than the usual laundry list of things you should avoid.
In my house, having fruit already cut up in the fridge means it actually gets eaten
Dr. Gunter suggests a high-fiber cereal like Bran Buds. Just half a cup provides 17 grams of fiber. She shared that for many of her patients, adding Bran Buds to their diet has been life-changing, especially when it comes to managing constipation. On my dad’s side of the family, they LOVE, and I mean *love* talking about constipation, and really, all things poo. One of my Aunties is convinced that we are all cursed with the “Yang Colon”, which I can’t recall if is a colon that’s too long or too short, but whatever it is, it’s not the dream colon length.
Growing up, I would visit my extended family in Phoenix almost every summer. While all of my grandparents are gone now, I can still see in my mind’s eye my grandmother’s 1980s kitchen, down to the photo magnets on the fridge and the Bible verse/nature scenes calendar. One side of the divided sink always contained a plastic tub of warm, soapy water to soak dishes. A damp washrag hung tidily over the sink faucet. In the fridge was a deep, round beige-lidded Tupperware with cut up cantaloupe inside. The oven was used only for storage, never for cooking. There was always a candy dish on the counter full of Werther’s Originals (yes, even Chinese grandmas have Werther’s!), a million pills and supplements in tiny cups, and a bowl of All-Bran sitting out, soaking up milk until it looked like… barf. As it lay in wait, she discreetly covered her unbecoming breakfast with a moist paper towel folded in half. Grandma Ni Ni ate her All-Bran religiously, every single morning. I remember being so repulsed by that mushy bowl of brown, flavorless cereal.
So, guess what’s in my kitchen right now? You got it - a fresh box of All-Bran. I had mine this morning with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and kefir. It wasn’t so bad. I also have cut up cantaloupe in the fridge and a dishrag hanging on the faucet. And probably the “Yang Colon”.
As I start my new fiberlicious lifestyle, I’m also thinking about how we can bring these conversations to our community at The Pearl. I’m eager to host a workshop focused on menopause, peri-menopause, and the bodily changes that come with them. There’s so much we could explore, from hormone fluctuations to the best ways to stay healthy and active during this transition.
Grandma Ni Ni knew what was up with daily fiber consumption
But I need your help: If you know an OBGYN who’s passionate about women’s health and might be interested in hosting a Q&A or workshop at the studio, please send them my way. We need more spaces where we can talk about this openly, with real, science-backed information.
In the meantime, I’ll be over here, starting my mornings with a soggy bowl of All-Bran. If my grandmother could do it, so can I. Let’s get this conversation started - who’s in?