You are probably saying things like – who needs fiber, I’m as regular as clockwork!” But fiber does ALOT more than just keep us regular.
There actually two types of fiber: Soluble and Insoluble.
Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of materials through
your digestive system. These are foods like whole wheat flour, wheat bran, and
vegetables to name a few.
Soluble fiber is fiber that dissolves in water. You can get
soluable fiber through eating oats, peas, citrus fruits, prunes, and carrots.
Fiber, while the human digestive track is designed not to
digest fiber, plays a critical part in achieving optimal health. Here’s how:
• Supports a
healthy heart
• Supports regular
bowel movements – This may seem a bit gross but the reality of the situation is
basic and states that the waste products our bodies produce need to be
expelled. If it cannot get rid of its waste then the body begins to
deteriorate. People really don’t think
too much about regularity but THEY SHOULD. This is a good indication of how
everything is working and even give you signs that things may not be working
right.
Lesson to be learned here:
• Supports normal
blood sugar levels
• Supports slower
digestion thus supporting proper digestive hormone balance
• Supports normal
blood pressure
• Supports weight
loss
There are so many things that fiber directly contributes to
that it is quite mind boggling. Yet, people do not eat enough fiber, of either
variety! Why? Well, we have to look at the ease of getting quick, fast foods.
You think a cheeseburger and fries has a lot of beneficial fiber in it?
Let us answer that for you, NO.
We also have to look at processed foods. You know, the foods
that are primarily in the center of the grocery store, not the outside
perimeter. These foods are full of salts not fiber.
QUICK TIP: Eat about 5-6 dried prunes each night before you
go to bed. They will satisfy your sweet tooth craving and give you a whopping
fiber dose.
