Health Tips

What are the benefits of a High Fiber Diet?

Or, in my favorite phrase – “What’s in it for me?” That’s what my kids always ask and it is a fair question. What is in a high fiber diet for you?

High fiber diets help keep your bowels regular and healthy. Some of the medical problems a high fiber diet seems to help are:

* Diverticulosis
* Gallbladder disease
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Heart Disease
* Constipation
* Colon Polups

Can I Lose Weight on a High Fiber Diet?

A balanced diet high in fiber and low in fat can definitely be a weight loss diet program. Most of the diets I have reviewed in the past year or so have included lots of high fiber foods. They are a natural fit for any healthy diet.

You primary concern with a high fiber diet is to be certain to get your nutrition in addition to the fiber. This is because the fiber is not digested.

What do you mean the fiber is not digested?

Fiber is made of the part of a plant that creates and supports the plants structure. If is meant to protect the plant from breakdown. As a result it is highly resistant to our digestive process.

There is no fiber in animal foods.

Fiber is commonly referred to as “bulk” or “roughage”. Because it is not absorbed by the digestive process, it keeps things moving in your system.

Two Types of Fiber

Actually there are two types of fiber – soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can be broken down in the digestive tract. They come from plants such as apples, oranges, grapefruit, peas and beans. Soluble fiber contributes to reducing your “bad” cholesterol.

Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as cabbage, wheat bran, carrots and potatoes. Insoluble fiber is used to absorb water in the colon. These are helpful in relieving constipation.

Can You Get Too Much Fiber?

Yes you can. Because fiber does not digest, too much can make you feel bloated. It can also cause gas. You should increase your fiber intake gradually to avoid these problems.

Sample High Fiber Menu

Breakfast – wheat bran cereal, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or grapefruit. Fresh orange juice. Even peanut butter on wheat toast.

Lunch – Peanut butter sandwich, carrots, apple.

Snack – Raisins, almonds, peanuts, fruit.

Dinner – Salads based on a variety of lettuces, peppers ( yellow peppers are wonderfully sweet), peas, asparagus, broccoli or beans.

Summary

High fiber diets need to be balanced. Other goals – getting enough nutrition, maybe weight loss – need to be factored in to and high fiber diet. It can be a good idea to plan carefully or to use a diet program to plan for you.