90 Grams?! Heart Doc Sparks Debate

A Los Angeles cardiologist says she eats about 90 grams of fiber every day, and she explains exactly why she does it.

Story Snapshot

Dr. Danielle Belardo reports an average of about 90 grams of daily fiber as her personal habit.
She contrasts this with baseline goals and says cardiology often targets at least 40 grams.
She links higher fiber intake with heart protection and even reversal claims she discusses publicly.
Guidelines and reviews show benefits at lower intakes, often 25 to 38 grams per day.

What the Cardiologist Actually Does and Says

Dr. Danielle Belardo, a vegan cardiologist in Los Angeles, states she eats about 90 grams of fiber a day. She frames this number as her average, not a one-time boast. She also says no official guideline sets 90 grams as a target. It is simply what she chooses to eat. Business Insider reports her comment that her intake “tends to be about 90 grams, give or take,” and repeats that it is not a rule for everyone.

Her public interviews lay out two clear points. First, most people need more fiber than they get. Second, cardiology practice often pushes above the basic minimums. She cites the recommended daily amounts as at least 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men, and says cardiology targets at least 40 grams per day. She then sets her own intake far higher, while stressing it is her personal approach, not a population guideline.

How She Connects Fiber to Heart Health

Dr. Belardo links higher fiber with heart protection and claims of disease reversal, including in people with prior events. She shares this in named, on-record appearances that explain her reasoning and food choices. She favors whole plant foods over supplements to reach her intake. She argues that fiber supports cholesterol control, weight, and gut health, which in turn supports cardiovascular risk reduction. She has also said she aims for around 90 grams and frames fiber’s benefits as having no set upper ceiling in her view.

Her approach aligns with a broad research pattern: more fiber helps most people compared with less. Large reviews associate higher fiber intake with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and lower cardiovascular deaths. These summaries point to a dose-response pattern, with meaningful gains above very low intakes. Many analyses highlight benefits around 25 to 29 grams per day, while still supporting a “more is better” direction for many adults who now fall short.

Where Evidence and Everyday Guidance Meet

Mainstream resources often land below 90 grams. Harvard Health points to clear benefits at around 25 to 29 grams daily, and similar ranges appear across guidance documents. A clinical review in Hypertension published by the American Heart Association recommends at least 25 to 29 grams per day as adequate intake and discusses fiber’s role in blood pressure control. These are not fringe views; they are widely used anchors for the public and for clinics.

Two truths can stand together. First, the average American gets far too little fiber. Second, nothing in standard guidance tells most people to aim for 90 grams. Dr. Belardo is clear on that distinction. Her public statements make her personal intake plain, and she pairs it with a broader message: push fiber up, favor real foods, and track how you feel and how your numbers move.

How a Regular Person Could Raise Fiber, Without Hitting 90

Start with what you already eat. Swap white bread for whole grain. Add beans to dinner a few times a week. Choose oats, berries, and nuts at breakfast. Add a side salad with olive oil and vinegar. Drink water with meals. These simple steps can raise fiber twenty grams or more without counting every gram. If you track your blood pressure, weight, or cholesterol, watch for steady changes over months, not days. That is how real life health shifts happen.