The one micronutrient that most all would do well to increase is fiber.

“Fibermaxxing” has had a moment on TikTok with people conducting fiber challenges to see how much they could consume.

Most Americans don’t come close to getting sufficient fiber in their daily diet.

Two of the trends/fads that you can expect to see reflected in products on the shelves at your local Ingles Markets are callouts for protein amounts and callouts for fiber amounts.  

Both protein and fiber are macronutrients. 

Most people think about protein coming from meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy products and fiber coming from fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  

One thing I’ve been noticing lately on social media is a reference to “struggle meals”. These are easy, economical meals to make when money (and time) is tight. Often these meals start out with staple foods with protein like beans, cheese, canned tuna, peanut butter and eggs and then add in or have with starches and vegetables.

Here are some ideas of typical “struggle meals:” 

Be on the lookout for these local brands at your Ingles store!

Firewalker Hot Sauce — Asheville, NC — The “secret” in this sauce may be the locally grown hot peppers. firewalkerhotsauce.com 

Protein is a satisfying macronutrient and can be found in both animal-based and plant-based foods. Included in this list are some that are plant-based that are also a good source of fiber. 

Question: I do a lot of driving for my job and am trying to avoid eating fast food or having to brown bag it. What are some ideas of food that I could buy at Ingles Markets if I stop by? 

With higher prices on eggs due to the bird flu (H5N1), many people may be changing up their breakfast proteins. Check the nutrition facts on packaged items for the protein amount per serving. Here are some other ways you can get protein for your breakfast meal: 

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone? 

As both kids and parents head into summer vacation, thinking about having easy and inexpensive snacks available becomes more important: 

There are so many options at your local Ingles Markets to put together a fun, food themed gift for friends, co-workers, students in dorms, or family.