Healthy Fiber Facts
If you are on a high octane diet, or if you are on a regular muscle development training program, the most important thing that you need is fiber. There is plenty of research to support the importance of getting enough fiber but not a lot of people are taking this seriously.
You’ve often heard of other people talking about the benefits of fiber, but perhaps you haven’t really taken a good look at fiber sources and what is it in them that can do all the healthy stuff you read or hear about. Here are just a few of the amazing fiber facts:
1. Grains are the most common sources of fiber. Dietary fiber is simply plant matter that is not easily digestible. Whole grain and concentrated grain products are great fiber sources. Unfortunately, although these are really healthy foods, most people will stay away from them, perhaps because of the bland taste.
2. Fiber rich foods are known to lower bad cholesterol which is the cause of most chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke, cardiac diseases, kidney ailments and colon cancer. With the right amount of fiber, you can reverse the effect of high cholesterol that usually comes from consuming too much animal fat.
3. Foods rich in fiber aid in digestion and can help one get rid of constipation. It stimulates enzymes in the digestive tract that results to better waste elimination and proper digestion of nutrients.
4. When you consume fiber rich foods, you will be able to avoid overeating. Fiber sources take longer to chew and to digest, resulting to a feeling of being full for a longer time.
5. Fruits and vegetables are often rich in fiber, and the fibrous structure of these foods does not easily break down even after cooking.
If you are trying to lose weight, include foods rich in fiber such as breakfast cereals, granola bars, fruits and vegetables and you will be able to contain periods of food cravings. Just make sure not to consume more than 50 grams of fiber everyday, as this will cause bloating or diarrhea. Also, remember to increase your water intake when you are consuming a lot of fiber. This helps it to move throughout the digestive tract. Eight glasses of water or more each day is the standard requirement.
Kids should also have a fiber rich diet coming from vegetables, fruits, and breakfast cereals. The habit of eating fiber rich foods should start when children are young, so that they will benefit more from it as they grow older.