The latest viral health trend to sweep the internet? High-fiber diets. Yes, something as mundane as fiber intake — something grandparents once talked about to no one’s interest — is suddenly all the rage.

It even has a name in some corners: fibermaxxing, or an attempt to meet or exceed the daily recommended amount. The diet “can sound extreme, but only 5% of Americans get enough fiber every day,” said Emily Mansfield, a registered dietitian at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center. “Fibermaxxing puts emphasis on where we can get fiber-rich foods during our meals and snacks.”

To understand how fiber fits into everyday life, we talked with Mansfield to answer some of the most common questions.

What does fiber do in the body?

Fiber plays several roles:

• Fiber aids with digestion and contributes to you feeling full so you’re less likely to overindulge.
• It also slows down how fast the body uses sugar and carbohydrates. If you’re watching your blood sugar, fiber is a great way to regulate it.
• It helps reduce cholesterol in the bloodstream, keeping our hearts healthy.
• A high-fiber diet can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Healthy adults need 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day. Reaching that recommended amount can be difficult, but there are easy ways to incorporate fiber into foods you’re already eating. Mansfield shared some of her favorite fiber-rich recipes for this article. You can see them below.

What are some easy foods people can eat to maximize their daily fiber intake?

Fruits and vegetables, specifically when you eat them with the skin on, and legumes like beans and lentils are all dietary staples that have a lot of fiber. An easy place to start is with raspberries or chia seeds: both are high-fiber foods that can easily be eaten with any meal.

Are there processed foods that offer fiber but may not be worth it, overall?

Sometimes fiber is added to foods in the manufacturing process. As a result, you may find more fiber in packaged foods such as granola bars or cereals.

While you can still benefit from foods with added fiber, it is best not to rely on them as the only source of fiber in your diet. If you do, you may miss out on key vitamins and minerals. These packaged foods may also be high in added sugars and sodium.

Why is it so hard for most of us to reach our daily recommended fiber intake in the first place?

Fiber-rich meals are not the easiest thing to make. Many of us rely on the ability to dine out, grab fast food or heat up a frozen meal. With those easy options comes the likelihood that we’re missing out on some fiber.

If you’re busy, I’d recommend adding frozen fruit to your diet. Make a smoothie, add it to your oatmeal or make overnight oats. You can add frozen vegetables to meals too, as well as no-salt-added or low-sodium canned products.

Chia seeds are also one of my favorite fiber sources because you can get a large bag that lasts a long time and add them to almost anything you eat.

Are there any downsides to the fiber trend?

Just be wary of increasing your fiber intake too quickly. That’s how eating a high-fiber diet can backfire. Too much, too quickly can cause constipation. To incorporate more fiber into your diet safely, increase your intake from two to five grams of fiber every few days while ensuring you’re drinking enough water — 64 ounces a day, at least.

Are fiber supplements a good way to get enough fiber?

Ideally, I’d want someone to try to get all of their fiber from their diet. However, there are some cases where that may not be possible, with certain chronic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal system.

Additionally, some people really benefit from fiber supplementation. In my experience, this is a choice unique to each patient. It’s definitely worth a conversation with your primary care provider if you’re interested in fiber supplements. And you should check with them before starting.

If someone wanted to increase their fiber intake, what’s one simple thing they could do today?

I would pick one small goal and start there. Maybe you’ve been eating white bread and are ready to switch to a whole-grain bread. Maybe you want to incorporate a new fiber-rich food. Just take that first step, see how it feels, and allow your body to adjust.

Takeaway: It takes intention to reach fiber goals, but it is manageable. There are so many healthy foods that can help, and the closer you get to the recommended daily amount, the healthier you’ll be. It’s about progress, not perfection.