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Eat your fiber!!!


Posted by Jane N.

I feel bad for fiber. Highly ignored and relatively low on the list of nutritional importance for many of us, but oh so valuable!

Found primarily in plant foods, fiber is the structural part of the plant that can’t be broken down and digested. Fiber is the street sweeper of GI city. It does so many spectacular things for us:

• Helps, alleviates and prevents constipation

• Maintains gastrointestinal tract (GI) health

• Protects against colon cancer

• Helps lower cholesterol

• Helps maintain glucose levels

• Provides a feeling of satiety

• Can help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes

To get more fiber through food, which is what I recommend, add more of these to your diet:

• Legumes: They are packed with fiber, up to 8g in ½ cup!

• Whole grains: Look for “whole grain” on bread labels

• Vegetables: All are great sources and low in calories

• Fruit: Surprisingly can have about 2g per serving

Fiber’s best friend, besides you, is water. Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid unwanted effects. If you do use fiber supplements or have stumbled across a fiber-loaded product, share your thoughts and feelings about it! I personally love Thomas’ Light Multi-Grain english muffins, although I was told they can be an acquired taste. Also check out Kashi Good Friends cereal. See those people on the front? They’re smiling because they’re regular.

 
Comments (3)
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FiberOne is my cereal of choice. I get 14 grams of fiber (57% dv) in just half a cup! I think I take in above my daily value just in the morning :) I will warn though, I jumped on the fiber bandwagon pretty hard, and using the bathroom was an interesting experience for the first couple of weeks. Nevertheless though, I immediately started feeling 'lighter' and less sluggish. I will never ignore fiber again!
I am convinced that I need more fiber in my diet. Thank you for the informative posting.
I have Bran Buds (Kelloggs I think) as a supplement to my morning cereal (1/3 cup added to my cheerios). These buds keep the cheerios from going soggy in the milk and represent close to 50% of daily recommended fibre intact...and you cannot taste them...it is like a crunchy supplement. Words wonders and I am sorry I did find these sooner (My doctor told me about this).
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