Kristen Bell’s widely shared pre-meal habit — eating leafy greens or taking fiber before a carbohydrate-heavy meal — can blunt blood sugar spikes and help people feel fuller longer, a registered dietician told The Post.
The practice was described by Bell’s Nobody Wants This co-star Justine Lupe at the Emmys, when Lupe told E! correspondent Zuri Hall that Bell is “obsessed with biohacking” and will eat spinach or other fibrous greens before a bowl of pasta. Lupe added that Bell also sometimes uses a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or a shot of apple cider vinegar (ACV) when greens are not available.
"Kristen Bell isn’t wrong here," said Amy Shapiro, a registered dietician and nutritionist, who explained that preloading a meal with fiber can slow glucose absorption into the bloodstream. That slower absorption produces a steadier rise in blood sugar rather than a sharp spike followed by a crash, Shapiro said, and the steadier response can reduce subsequent cravings and overeating.
When carbohydrates are digested, the body converts them to glucose, which can cause rapid increases in blood sugar. Fiber in leafy greens or in a soluble-fiber supplement binds with water and slows digestion, blunting the post-meal glucose surge, Shapiro said. Studies have also linked ACV, which contains acetic acid, to improved insulin sensitivity and slowed gastric emptying, effects that can reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes.
Shapiro said the longer-term implications of a more stable glucose response include better appetite control and potentially lower risk for developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, though she cautioned that the tactics are not "magic bullets."
For practical use, Shapiro recommended choosing the strategy that fits a person’s routine. Ordering a salad before the main course or adding leafy greens to a meal is an easy option when dining out. For people whose diets are low in fiber, a supplemental option such as Metamucil can be a convenient boost. If someone prefers vinegar, Shapiro advised taking ACV about 30 minutes before a carb-heavy meal, but warned that the taste and acidity can bother some stomachs. She specifically discouraged relying on ACV gummies, saying they do not have the same effect as liquid vinegar.
"If I had to rank them, I’d put real food fiber (leafy greens) first, supplemental fiber (Metamucil) second and vinegar as an optional add-on," Shapiro said. She reiterated that customers should not view these tactics as permission to overeat and recommended maintaining balanced meals that include protein, fat and fiber while reducing ultra-processed carbohydrates and sugary snacks.
Physical activity also remains a proven tool to improve post-meal blood sugar, Shapiro added. Even brief movement, such as a 10-minute walk after eating, can help blunt glucose rises and support metabolic health.
Celebrities and other public figures have increasingly discussed personal nutrition strategies, and Bell’s approach joins a growing number of popularized «biohacks» aimed at managing energy and appetite. Medical professionals urge that any sustained dietary changes be considered within the context of an individual’s overall health, medications and medical history, and that people consult clinicians before making major adjustments.
