Are You Consuming Enough Fiber in your Diet????

Are You Consuming Enough Fiber in your Diet????

Do you consume enough fiber each day? If you are like most Americans, then you probably consume about 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day. Unfortunately, this is just not enough. The American Heart Association recommends between 25 and 38 grams of fiber a day in a well-balanced diet.

Lack of fiber may be detrimental to your health.  Insufficient fiber can increase your risk of colon cancer, as well as increase the risk for diverticular disease. Elevated levels of total and LDL cholesterol in the blood can also be attributed to insufficient fiber.  Fiber helps give you a feeling of fullness that prevents you from overeating.

What exactly is fiber?

Fiber is a plant material that cannot be digested but that helps you to digest other food.  There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves with water and creates a gel-like substance that helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

Insoluble fiber absorbs water, which adds bulk to your digestive tract and helps to move things through quickly and promote regularity.

Foods Rich In Fiber

Selecting tasty foods that provide fiber isn’t difficult. Soluble fibers include oats, oat bran, peas, rice bran, legumes/beans, apples, and citrus fruits. Insoluble fibers include whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, rye, cabbage, carrots, brussel sprouts and nuts.

To find out more about how much dietary fiber you need, getting in shape,  working out, or if you’re frustrated with your current level of fitness and looking to hire a personal trainer, contact us.