Feast on Fiber

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

Are you one of those who stuff yourself silly with Popcorn and then feel guilty? Well, after reading this you can have all the popcorn that you want. Besides being the most wholesome cereal, popcorn is also non-fattening and high in fiber.

Fiber, also known as roughage, fiber is a component of food that is more or less indigestible and can be found in all fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fibers can be either insoluble (the less digestible bran fiber) or soluble (cellulose fibers from fruits and vegetables). For good health, you need both types of fibers in your diet.

Fiber is important to your body because it helps with the proper functioning of the intestinal tract as it speeds the elimination of waste products. It is a natural laxative and alleviates constipation. Those suffering from constipation should have a rich fiber diet. In addition, a rich fiber diet prevents colon cancer as there is less exposure to cancer-causing agents to the intestinal tract.

Individuals with diabetes may also benefit from a high fiber diet since it modulates the rate at which glucose enters the blood and prevents increases in blood levels of sugar and insulin. Soluble fiber may also help to reduce cholesterol levels. Because fiber is filling, it provides a sense of satiety with far fewer calories than fat, thus controlling obesity and hypertension. A research done by the US-based Nurses Health Study found that the risk of heart attack was significantly lower among women who consumed an average of 23 grams of fiber.

So, what should you be eating to get a rich fiber diet? Whole grain bread and cereals; raw fruits and berries such as apples, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, apricots, strawberries, raisins and dried fruits and vegetables such as beans, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery cucumber, lettuce, onions, and spinach. However, increase the fiber in your diet slowly to prevent abdominal bloating, gas and flatulence.