Fiber: The Basics
What is fiber and why is it a crucial part of a healthy diet?
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest. It is made up of the plant food that your body cannot digest. You may be wondering if your body can’t digest it, what is it so important?
Fiber has many important benefits in our bodies and is necessary to keep your body running smoothly.
A diet that is high in fiber is known to:
Support healthy digestion and normalize bowel movements
Helps to maintain gut microbiome health
Lowers cholesterol
Helps to control blood sugar
Helps to maintain a healthy weight
Can help you to live longer and healthier
Has been connected to a decreased risk of cancer
Lowers risk of heart disease, diabetes, and constipation
There are two types of dietary fiber soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers dissolve in water and can lower glucose levels and blood cholesterol. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and helps to move food through your digestive system and helps prevent constipation.
Where can you find some of the best sources of fiber?
Whole grains
Whole fruits
Whole vegetables
Oatmeal
Chia seeds
Nuts
Beans
Quinoa
Brown rice
Refined or processed foods are very low in fiber and not great sources. So replace your white bread with whole grain, your fruit juice with whole fruit, canned vegetables with fresh, and add more high quality snacks into your day.
*fruit juices strip out all the fiber so make sure to eat your fruits and vegetables
