One of my favorite things to eat for breakfast is Oatmeal which got me thinking…. Oatmeal is high in fiber, but what else do I eat that is high in fiber? Consuming enough fiber in your daily diet is very important for many reasons.
Dietary fiber is the indigestible material in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and most whole grains. Unlike the vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, and carbohydrates found in these foods, fiber is not broken down and absorbed by the body,but passes through the digestive system unchanged, and helps the body eliminate waste products. The FDA recommends an intake of 11.5 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories, or 25 grams per day for a 2,500-calorie diet. While that may sound like a lot, people can usually meet this daily requirement by eating several servings of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dried beans a day.
Some foods that contain fiber are: Whole wheat bread and pasta, bran cereal, oats, brown rice, apple with the skin, blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, peaches, pears, strawberries, raspberries, avocado, cabbage, carrots, corn, green beans, kale, sweet potatoes, almonds, black beans, flax seed, kidney beans, lentils, soybeans, and walnuts.
Here are a few reasons why we should eat fiber every day.
1. Weight loss, because foods high in fiber are more filling and satisfy hunger longer,
and because fiber contains little to no calories.
2. Balanced blood sugar levels and reduced risk of diabetes.
3. Prevent Cancer. High fiber intake has been shown to prevent cancer, mainly due to promoting regularity, which in turn keeps your digestive system healthy and frequently moving.
4. Lower cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
Challenge yourself! Pick two new foods that are high in fiber that you don’t normally eat daily and add them to your diet! Good luck!
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