‘Extremely helpful’ supplement to take first thing in the morning for weight loss support, according to dietitian

She added: "It's also most effective either first thing in the morning before your first meal or at the end of the day, right before bed."

According to the expert, psyllium husk helps by removing waste from your colon, which can "reduce your body weight, but not body fat".

When it comes to dietary fibre and weight management, LA-based dietitian Kim Saphira noted that complex carbohydrates play a crucial role.

She explained: "Complex carbohydrates have more dietary fibre than simple carbs, and because of this, they take longer to break down and to digest, which in turn means it will require more work from your body to break them down."

This slower digestion process is helpful for anyone trying to manage their appetite.

"Because of the slowness, you're less likely to snack or be hungry, and you will get a steady stream of blood sugar," she explained.

Kim added that blood sugar acts as our body's fuel source, which is how fibre-rich foods help support weight management.

Fibre-rich carbohydrates can also boost insulin sensitivity, which is particularly important for those battling stubborn belly fat.

"Fibre-rich carbohydrates or complex carbs can help improve insulin sensitivity," Kim added. "Insulin sensitivity, or in some terms, insulin resistance, is what causes belly fat."

She noted that the fibre content slows down how quickly these foods are digested and absorbed by the body.

Kim also stressed that carbohydrates are found in more foods than many people realise.

"Carbohydrates are a nutrient inside of vegetables, fruit, milk, and starches. Carbohydrates are further broken down into simple and complex," she shared.

"Choosing complex carbs from whole grains and legumes, fruits and vegetables, a yogurts are ideal. It doesn't mean you can't have cookies and chips. It just means you need to be mindful to include the complex carbs and make them a priority."

Simple carbohydrates occur naturally in foods like milk and fruit, but they also lurk in processed items such as sweets, fizzy drinks, biscuits and crisps.

Eating too much of these can cause problems with blood sugar regulation.

"A diet high in simple carbs leads to quick digestion and absorption and crashes based on blood sugar regulation," Kim explained. "This can increase insulin resistance, that storage, cravings and an increase in body fat."