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Everything You Need To Know About Fiber, Fat Loss and Your Health

fat lossEvery nutritionist will tell you to improve your fibre intake, particularly because of the role it plays in supporting fat loss, reducing the risk of heart disease, and certain cancers. It plays a key role in digestive health and creating a sense of fullness which essentially means that enough fibre can help you manage your weight effectively!

Women should aim for around 25 grams of fibre per day, while men should aim for at least 35 to 40 grams. Yet, the average person consumes just 15 grams a day. The best way to increase your fibre intake is by eating fibre-rich whole foods, not heavily processed options with “added fibre” claims. Simply increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables and wholegrains can naturally boost your daily fibre intake.

How Fibre Supports Fat Loss and Weight Management

Fibre is one of the most natural ways to reduce high cholesterol levels in the body. If you have diabetes, consuming the right amount of fibre can help regulate blood sugar levels, allowing you to enjoy a variety of foods that might otherwise be restricted.

A lack of fibre is a common reason why people experience constipation and we all know constipation isn’t just uncomfortable; it can lead to toxic build-up in the body, sluggish digestion, fat gain, and has even been linked to a higher risk of colon and other cancers.

Why We’re Consuming Less Fibre

One of the main reasons is food processing. Modern methods often strip fibre from food entirely, which is why many packaged foods are considered unhealthy. A useful tip: if a food label shows less than 2 grams of fibre per serving, it’s best avoided. Low-fibre foods can cause blood sugar spikes, leading to fat gain over time.

Another reason is that many people don’t consume enough fibrous carbohydrates. Ideally, your main source of carbohydrates should be fibrous – these typically contain fewer overall carbs, but their high fibre content helps balance insulin response, making them ideal for fat loss.

Best Sources of Fibrous Carbohydrates

Here’s a list of some of the best naturally fibrous foods to include in your daily diet, all easily available in supermarkets:

  • Broccoli
  • Lettuce
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Mushrooms
  • Green beans
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Cucumber
  • Spinach
  • Bell Peppers
  • Courgette
  • Popcorn (plain, air-popped)
  • Apples
  • Oats
  • Brown rice
  • Wholemeal pasta
  • Lentils
  • Beans and Pulses (e.g., kidney beans, chickpeas)

Beans are a fantastic source of dietary fibre and protein, keeping you full for longer. The same applies to fruits, nuts, and seeds – all of which should be a regular part of your meals.

Psyllium husk (commonly known as Isabgol in Asian stores) is another fantastic fibre source. It helps detox the body and removes excess cholesterol and fat. As always, moderation is key.

Not All Grains Are Equal

While grains contain fibre, the amount can vary significantly. For example:

Food Item Fibre Content (approx.)
White bread (1 slice) 0.5 grams
Wholemeal bread (1 slice) 2 grams
Kidney beans (1 cup) 17 grams
Mixed berries (1 cup) 8 grams

As you can see, focusing on whole, natural food sources will boost your fibre intake far more than relying on refined or packaged foods.

Fibre is essential for good health and should be part of every weight-loss strategy. It aids digestion, balances blood sugar, reduces cholesterol, and keeps you feeling satisfied for longer – all of which support healthy fat loss.

It’s time to make a conscious effort to add more fibre to your meals – your body will thank you for it.

We hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more on fiber and fat loss, check out Healthy Reads or reach out to a GOQii Coach for the right guidance and motivation by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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Hidden Hunger: Are You Suffering From It?

hidden hunger - are you suffering from it? Rita, a 22-year-old student, loves to snack – especially on quick, tasty, and readily available junk food. Over time, she gained excess weight. But what bothered her more was how constantly tired and dull she felt. A routine health check-up revealed nutrient deficiencies – something she found hard to believe. After all, she was eating enough… wasn’t she?

But like many of us today, Rita was suffering from Hidden Hunger.

What Is Hidden Hunger?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Hidden Hunger as a deficiency of micronutrients – the essential vitamins and minerals our body needs in small amounts. These micronutrients play a crucial role in:

  • Enzyme and hormone production
  • Metabolism
  • Tissue repair and maintenance

Despite eating sufficient calories, if your meals lack nutrient density, your body can still be undernourished. This form of malnutrition is often unseen – hence the name Hidden Hunger.

How Do You Know If You Have Hidden Hunger?

You don’t need to look ill to be deficient. Common symptoms include:

  • Constant tiredness and low energy
  • Poor focus and brain fog
  • Dull skin or hair
  • Low immunity
  • General disinterest in daily activity

Left untreated, long-term deficiencies can impair cognitive function, physical development, and overall well-being.

The Modern Diet Dilemma

In today’s time-poor, convenience-driven world, it’s easy to fill up on ultra-processed foods – high in sugar, salt, and calories, but low in actual nutrition. These “empty calorie” foods are designed to taste good, not nourish us.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Hidden Hunger affects not just developing nations, but increasingly, urban populations worldwide.

Rebuilding With a Balanced Diet

The best way to overcome Hidden Hunger is to eat a varied, balanced diet that includes all major food groups. Here’s a breakdown:

Food Group Key Nutrients
Whole Cereals, Pulses & Millets B vitamins, Iron, Selenium (especially in unrefined forms)
Dairy & Meat Products Vitamin B12, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Iodine, Vitamin A
Fruit & Vegetables Vitamin C, Folate, Beta Carotene, Potassium, Magnesium, Phytochemicals (antioxidants)
Nuts & Oilseeds Magnesium, Zinc, Healthy fats, Vitamin E, other fat-soluble vitamins

Also, avoid skipping meals and choose nutrient-dense snacks like roasted seeds, mixed nuts, yoghurt, or fresh fruit.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Start by evaluating your meals – are you relying too much on convenience foods? Make a conscious effort to include more whole foods, natural produce, and variety. Over time, this simple shift can transform your energy, mood, and overall health.

If you’re unsure where to begin, consider speaking to a qualified expert.

Subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching for guidance on creating balanced meals tailored to your lifestyle and health goals.

For more topics on weight loss and managing your health, check out Healthy Reads.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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11 Easy Habits To Help You Lose Weight

easy habits to help you lose weightAs a lifestyle coach and weight management expert, I often meet individuals who find themselves stuck on their weight loss journey. In a previous article, I shared insights on 11 Unhealthy Habits That Are Destroying Your Health. Today, let’s focus on what you can do. With small, consistent changes to your daily routine, weight loss becomes more sustainable and far less overwhelming.

Here are 11 simple habits that can help you take control of your health and shed excess weight-without drastic measures.

11 Habits For a Healthier You

  1. Read Food Labels: Understanding nutrition labels empowers you to make better food choices. This is especially important if you’re managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Look at the ingredients list – the greatest quantities are listed first. So, if sugar or corn syrup appears near the top, it’s best to steer clear.
  2. Maintain a Food Journal: Still not seeing results? Start logging your meals. A food journal helps you identify patterns and track where excess calories may be sneaking in. It’s an excellent self-awareness tool that puts you back in charge of your choices.
  3. Begin Your Day With Protein: We can’t emphasise this enough – don’t skip breakfast! A high-protein breakfast stabilises blood sugar, curbs mid-morning cravings, and jump-starts your metabolism. Think Greek yoghurt, eggs, oats, cottage cheese, or a handful of nuts and seeds.
  4. Eat Slow and Chew More: Digestion begins in the mouth. Eating too quickly can lead to overeating. Chewing your food properly and taking your time allows you to feel full with less, while also improving nutrient absorption.
  5. Let Dinner Be Your Final Meal: Late-night snacking often stems from boredom or emotional triggers rather than hunger. If you truly need something after dinner, opt for light, high-fibre snacks like air-popped popcorn, hummus with veg sticks, or a small portion of unsweetened yoghurt. Otherwise, aim to make dinner your last meal of the day.
  6. Don’t Skip Meals: Skipping meals can slow your metabolism and lead to poor food choices later in the day. Regular meals support muscle maintenance, bone health, and immune function. When you under-eat, fatigue, hair loss, and low immunity can follow.
  7. Avoid Screens While Eating: Watching TV or using your phone while eating can distract you from recognising fullness cues. Mindful eating allows you to enjoy your food more, make healthier decisions, and prevent overeating.
  8. Use Smaller Plates: Visual cues influence our appetite. Using smaller plates encourages portion control, while larger plates often trick the brain into thinking you need more food than necessary. When dining out, ask for a half portion or share your meal – your waistline will thank you.
  9. Aim For 8 Hours of Sleep: Sleep deprivation leads to higher calorie consumption and poor food decisions. Prioritise 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Without it, planning meals, exercising and resisting cravings becomes harder. A consistent sleep routine supports long-term weight management.
  10. Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water helps flush toxins, reduce cravings, and promote a feeling of fullness. Aim for 2-3 litres a day, adjusting for weather and activity level. Often, what we interpret as hunger is actually thirst.
  11. Move More: Daily movement is just as important as planned workouts. Walking, cycling, taking the stairs, or dancing in your kitchen-all count. Physical activity not only burns calories, but also boosts metabolism, improves strength, and supports mental wellbeing.

Weight loss doesn’t require extreme dieting or intense workouts. By adopting these small yet impactful habits, you can build a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Want support along the way? Explore more articles on Healthy Reads or chat with a certified GOQii Health Coach by subscribing to personalised coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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5 Fat Loss Mistakes You Might Be Making

fat loss mistakes

The internet can be useful – there’s no denying that. Those fun DIY tricks and tutorials that help you pick up a new skill-set are pretty brilliant, aren’t they? But, like all things, the internet has a downside. While it helps you discover something new every day, it can also lead you down a rabbit hole of misinformation – particularly when it comes to health.

Take for example: Quick Fat Loss Tips or Lose Fat in 10 Days. While these headlines grab attention, they often promote unrealistic, unsustainable, and even harmful methods. So if you’re on a fat loss journey, here are 5 common mistakes you might be making – along with why it’s time to ditch the myths.

1. Starving for Fat Loss 

Research shows that chronic starvation reduces muscle mass and organ size by up to 20%. Weight loss through starvation can also lead to lower bone density, making you more injury-prone.

It doesn’t stop there. Starving slows down your metabolism and hampers overall body function. Worst of all, once you return to eating normally, your body may store more calories as fat—undoing all your efforts.

Golden rule: Eat healthy, balanced meals at the right time. Nourishment, not restriction, is key.

2. No Rest Day 

Think over-training equals faster fat loss? Think again.

Rest days are crucial to avoid muscle overuse and allow your body to recover. Lifting weights causes tiny muscle tears that can only repair – and grow – during rest. Over-training can actually stall fat loss, disturb your hormonal balance, and even cause amenorrhoea (loss of menstrual periods).

Tip: Take one rest day a week. Try light activity like walking, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

3. Excess Protein Doesn’t Mean Better Fat Loss

Yes, protein helps you feel fuller and supports muscle maintenance – but more is not always better.

A high-protein diet alone won’t do the trick. Too much protein can strain digestion. What you really need is balance – enough fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs alongside your protein to support healthy fat loss.

4. Lack of Optimum Sleep

Getting fewer than six hours of sleep reduces leptin (the satiety hormone) and increases ghrelin (the hunger hormone). Translation? You’ll feel hungrier and less satisfied.

Studies show that people who sleep 7+ hours a night lose more fat and preserve more muscle mass. Lack of sleep also spikes cortisol – body’s stress hormone – which hinders fat breakdown and increases muscle loss.

So if you’re waking up early to squeeze in a workout but skipping sleep, it might be time to rethink your schedule.

5. Keeping Unrealistic Expectations

Setting tangible goals is great – but aiming too high, too soon, can backfire.

Studies show that people with overly ambitious expectations, especially those who are overweight or obese, are more likely to drop out of fat loss programmes within 6–12 months due to disappointment.

Instead: Set modest, achievable goals with the guidance of a certified coach. Progress that’s steady is progress that sticks.

Want to stop guessing and start getting real results? Speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

Did this article help you? Share your thoughts in the comments! And for more tips, check out our Healthy Reads on weight loss here.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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