Fiber might just be the best defense against heart disease -- and you're probably not getting enough (even if you're plant-based). Cardiologist Dr. Danielle Belardo says she eats 90 grams of fiber per day. That's more than three times the recommended minimum amount for women. And she says eating more fiber can not only protect your heart, it can reverse heart disease -- even in people who have had a heart attack or stroke!

Dr. Belardo joins Chuck Carroll to break down what most people (and even some doctors) get wrong about heart health. She shares how much fiber you actually need, why some people feel bloated when they add beans or greens, and how to increase fiber intake without the discomfort.

Dr. Belardo also shares why she encourages her patients to use MyFitnessPal to easily track fiber and nutrient intake.

On this episode of The Exam Room, you'll learn:

- How much fiber you actually need in a day

- The best sources of fiber (that actually taste amazing!)

- How to use MyFitnessPal to get more fiber in your diet

- How to increase your fiber intake without the gas and bloating

- What fad diets get wrong about cholesterol and heart health

- What studies show about fiber's impact on heart disease

— — SHOW LINKS — —

MyFitnessPal

https://www.myfitnesspal.com

— — —

Danielle Belardo

Website: https://www.precisionpreventivecardiology.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebelardomd

— — EVENTS — —

International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine

Where: Washington, DC

When: August 14-16, 2025

Tix & Speakers: https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

Use code NUTRITION50 to save $50

— — —

Fit Vegan Workshop

Where: Vancouver, BC, Canada

When: Sept. 20-21, 2025

Tix: https://fitvegancoaching.com/vancouver-2025

Use code CHUCK to save $112

— — —

Wellness Weekend

Where: Canaan Valley Resort - Davis, WV

When: Sept. 26-27, 2025

Tix & Speakers: https://www.brendaworkmanspeaks.com/wellness-weekend

— —EXAM ROOM NEWSLETTER — —

Sign up: https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip

— — THIS IS US — —

The Exam Room Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast

— — —

Chuck Carroll

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChuckCarrollWLC

X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC

— — —

Physicians Committee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org

X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM

Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers

— — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — —

5-Star Success: Share Your Story

Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3

— — —

Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don't forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!