Fiber-Maxxing Adds Vegetables to Favorite Foods to Support the Gut Microbiome and Blood Sugar

Updated 2026/10/28 23:30

Vegetables contain a variety of nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Although it is important to consume enough of them to maintain good health, it is not easy to make sure to eat them every day. According to the results of the ‘2025 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’ released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency last September, vegetable consumption fell by approximately 3.4% among men and approximately 5.0% among women compared with the previous year. The proportion of men and women consuming at least 500g of fruit and vegetables per day was just 23.4% and 17.7%, respectively.Against this backdrop, ‘Fiber-maxxing,’ a dietary habit of increasing fiber intake by adding it to foods people already enjoy rather than forcing themselves to eat vegetables, is drawing attention. Here is a look at the Fiber-maxxing trend and ways to enjoy vegetables more deliciously. ◇Vegetable consumption is lacking among Koreans as the Fiber-maxxing trend spreads Fiber-maxxing is a compound word combining ‘Fiber,’ meaning dietary fiber, and ‘Maxxing,’ meaning maximization. It is a dietary habit of consciously increasing fiber intake in daily life, such as by adding vegetables to dishes people usually enjoy. A defining feature is the use of a variety of foods, including not only vegetables but also fruit, whole grains and legumes.The reason Fiber-maxxing is attracting attention lies in the health benefits of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is an essential nutrient for maintaining metabolism and overall health, and is also called the ‘sixth nutrient.’ It is particularly beneficial for gut health. It stimulates bowel movements and helps with defecation. Some types also serve as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping manage the gut microbiome. Soluble dietary fiber slows the digestion and absorption of sugar, which can help mitigate sharp increases in postprandial blood sugar.South Korea’s food industry is also introducing related products and meal plans in line with this trend. hy recently released two varieties of ‘Haru Vegetable Fiber-maxxing,’ reflecting the trend in the product name. Pulmuone Healthcare introduced a vegetable beverage with a higher kale content. CJ Freshway prepared food-service meal plans that increase fiber intake by adding burdock, lotus root and cabbage to existing menus. ◇Taste is also important for Fiber-maxxing to become a dietary habitTaste is also important if Fiber-maxxing is to become a sustainable dietary habit rather than a temporary fad. A source from the distribution industry said, “Health benefits can attract attention, but the products must also offer taste and convenience to encourage people to keep seeking them out,” adding, “The ability to let people enjoy enough vegetables without giving up the foods they like will become a source of competitiveness in the healthy food market.”Research has also found that emphasizing taste rather than the health benefits of food is effective in increasing actual vegetable consumption. In 2019, a Stanford University research team conducted an experiment in which vegetable dishes were given different names at cafeterias at 5 universities. The selection of the dishes increased by 29% when they were given names emphasizing taste rather than health benefits. This suggests that raising expectations about taste may help encourage people to eat vegetables.Smoothies, poke and shabu-shabu are considered representative ways to enjoy vegetables deliciously. Shabu-shabu in particular is a dish in which various ingredients, including napa cabbage, bok choy and mushrooms, are cooked in broth with meat, allowing even people who are put off by the distinctive aroma or texture of vegetables to enjoy them with relatively little difficulty. Recently, shabu-shabu buffets where customers choose the ingredients they want to eat themselves have also become popular. According to an analysis of dining-out trends, the shabu-shabu buffet brand ‘Shabu All Day’ ranked among the top 10 most-searched dining brands among people in their 20s as of last August. However, even when practicing Fiber-maxxing, people should avoid increasing their intake excessively. Suddenly consuming a large amount of dietary fiber can cause symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Intake should be increased gradually, taking usual consumption levels into account. In addition, when the body lacks water, dietary fiber can absorb water in the intestines and instead cause constipation, so people should also drink enough water. 

This article has been translated AI

View All Articles
Copyright © Health Chosun. No unauthorized reproduction or redistribution.

Editor’s Pick

You May Like