Pictured above: Habesha Ethio-Eritrean Restaurant. Photo: Duane Tinkey
Writer: Mathany Ahmed
As far as macronutrients go, fiber has never been the most glamorous. Sure, we all know we need it to keep things, ahem, moving along, but no restaurant has ever lured customers through the door with promises of “high roughage.”
That changed last year when social media discovered “fibermaxxing,” a wellness trend that encourages people to pack more fiber-rich foods into their diets. Unlike some viral health fads, this one actually has science on its side.
“Fiber is incredibly important,” said Olivia Gradoville, a registered dietitian in West Des Moines. “Adequate fiber intake is linked to better gut health, lower cholesterol and a decreased risk of certain cancers.”
The key, she says, is to resist the urge to overhaul your eating habits overnight to avoid uncomfortable (or potentially embarrassing) side effects.
“You can always have too much of a good thing,” Gradoville said. “In my experience, changes to eating patterns are most sustainable when they are realistic and gradual.”
The good news is that fiber comes in plenty of delicious forms: vegetables, whole grains, lentils, nuts and, of course, beans — that magical fruit. Even better news? Des Moines restaurants are already serving up plenty of dishes that make it easy to sneak a little more of them into your day.
Good Eatin’s
5418 Douglas Ave.
Southern comfort food doesn’t always get invited into conversations about healthy eating, but Good Eatin’s makes a compelling case. The collard greens, slow-cooked for up to eight hours and topped with melt-in-your-mouth smoked turkey, are the restaurant’s No. 1 seller, according to owner Copa Burse. The unique flavors in Burse’s proprietary spice blend also permeate the traditional bean dishes to offer a soulful and fiber-filled accompaniment.
Wasabi
Seven locations across the Des Moines metro and Ames
The fiery seasoning blend on the spicy edamame makes it entirely too easy to finish a plate full of flavor and fiber. If that’s not enough, try the Green Peace Roll. The sweet potato tempura is a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and balances well with cucumber, asparagus and a sweet mango drizzle.
Fresko
909 Locust St.
Swapping in leafy greens is an easy way to boost both fiber intake and flavor. Fresko’s Caesar salad combines hearty kale and spinach with savory cremini mushrooms and a creamy dressing that delivers the familiar flavors Caesar fans crave. Pair it with the crispy brussels sprouts, caramelized around the edges, or the hummus platter, topped with nutty pumpkin seeds and served with fresh pita for dipping.
Habesha Ethio-Eritrean Restaurant (pictured at top)
3500 Merle Hay Road
The vegan combo platter is a fiber lover’s dream, a colorful pile of stews made from red lentils, yellow split peas and collard greens on a sheet of traditional injera. The flavors range from earthy and comforting to bright and spicy, with the slightly sour flavor of the injera tying everything together. Made from teff, an ancient grain, injera is fermented before cooking, a process that may also support gut health by encouraging beneficial bacteria. Bonus: Ethiopian food’s signature heat practically requires a second glass of water, another smart move when increasing fiber intake.
Photo courtesy of Bubba
Bubba
200 10th St.
The crispy succotash-stuffed chile relleno peppers may be the most fibermaxxed dish on this list. White beans, lima beans, corn, zucchini and tomatoes come together inside a roasted pepper for a dish that balances sweetness, smokiness and spice. An honorable mention goes to the house-made black bean and quinoa burger, one of the best veggie burgers in town. Photo courtesy of Bubba
Contributing writer Mathany Ahmed grew up in Iowa City in a family with roots in Sudan. She now lives in Des Moines and loves to write about global influences on the metro’s food and culture.
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