Nutritious Foods High In Fiber

For as many health benefits as there are for adding fiber to the diet, it is interesting to note how little fiber we actually do consume. Actually a lot of people do not think about their daily fiber intake, but this is important for many reasons that will be discussed briefly in this health article. I will also reveal some tips on how to add more fiber and nutrition to your daily regime.

How Much Fiber Should You Be Eating

It is recommended that women take in 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day and that men take in 30 to 38 grams a day. It is not difficult to get this much fiber from your nutritional regime - as long as you are eating a balanced, healthy diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables offer a great deal of fiber, as well as whole grains. Tips in the end of this article will help you find food higher in fiber.

What does Fiber Do in The Body?

Fiber is different from fats, proteins and carbohydrates in that it is not digested by your body. This means that is passes through your stomach and small intestine, going directly into your colon, pretty much unchanged. It decreases your chance of constipation and other intestinal problems. Fiber helps to "keep you regular". It is important to drink plenty of water in addition to ensuring adequate fiber intake. Water helps the fiber better do its job.

What are the Benefits of Fiber?

Soluble fiber can lower blood cholesterol levels. It also slows the body's absorption of sugar. This means it can help improve the body's blood sugar levels. Studies have also shown that a diet high in fiber may reduce a person's risk of developing certain health conditions.

A high fiber diet can also help with weight loss. Foods that are high in fiber make you feel fuller and take longer to chew so your body has time to register as full. High fiber foods also tend to be lower in calories and make you feel full - and make you STAY feeling full.

What Foods are Most Fiber Rich?

Beans are, hands down, the most fiber rich. One cup of lentils packs a whopping 15.6 grams of fiber! Fruits and vegetables also offer a great deal of fiber. Pears, figs, blueberries, apples and strawberries are some of the fruit power players in the fiber game. For vegetables, look to peas, artichokes, Brussels sprouts and mustard greens. In the grains, cereals and pasta group, opt for whole-wheat spaghetti, bran flakes, oatmeal and rye bread.

Read labels and make healthy food choices, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Balance your diet by incorporating foods from each of the food groups and drinking lots of water. Increasing the fiber in your diet can help you ward off serious health issues, lose weight and regulate your body's elimination of waste.
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Spencer Hunt is a lifetime home gardener and has worked with hundreds of people by phone to help them improve their health through improved nutrition and adding the very best, scientifically validated supplements to their diet. For both animals and humans, he recommends that all of his clients use glyconutritional supplements from the company that discovered the idea of glyconutrient supplementation over a decade ago. Since glyconutrient supplements are natural plant sourced special micronutrients, they are not toxic drugs and therefore have not been evaluated by the FDA. They cannot be said to cure, prevent, treat or mitigate any disease or condition, and since they are not a drug, there is no need to diagnose. In other words, EVERYBODY and ANYBODY can use glyconutrients for improved wellness along with a good diet or garden fresh vegetables and fruits.

About The Author:
Spencer Hunt is a wellness consultant from Oregon who recommends a balanced diet, with high quality vitamins, minerals, and glyconutrients supplements.