Fiber is a broad phrase that refers to any carbohydrate that your body is unable to process. Although your body doesn’t use fiber as a source of energy, it’s still essential to your overall health. Fiber, unlike most carbohydrates, cannot be broken down into sugar molecules and hence travels through the body undigested. Fiber also helps to keep you from feeling hungry, while keeping blood sugar levels in check by regulating the body’s usage of glucose.
It’s important to get more fiber if your fiber intake is low. When you eat dietary fiber, you can get the following benefits:
Cholesterol Reduction
Fiber in the digestive tract can help the body absorb less cholesterol. This is especially true if you take statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs, and psyllium fiber supplements.
Getting enough fiber in your diet can be the key to maintaining a healthy weight. Vegetables and fruits, which are high in fiber, have fewer calories. Fiber will also help you feel fuller for a longer period of time by slowing digestion in the stomach. Those with a sluggish digestive system may benefit from adding fiber to their diet.
Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
High-fiber foods can take longer for your body to break down—this aids in the maintenance of more regular blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for diabetics, as it lowers the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Consuming enough fiber can help protect you from cancers such as colon cancer. One reason for this is the fact that some fibers, such as pectin in apples, have antioxidant capabilities.
Fiber has many health benefits, but it’s crucial to introduce fiber-rich foods gradually over a few days to avoid unpleasant side effects like bloating and gas.
Here are FIVE EASY WAYS to get more fiber in your diet this summer:
Strawberries
Strawberries are a tasty snack that you can eat without any real prep. Just clean them and enjoy!
1 cup of fresh strawberries contains 3 grams of fiber.
Avocados
The avocado is a one-of-a-kind fruit. Rather than being high in carbohydrates, it is high in beneficial fats.
Avocados are high in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, and B vitamins, among other nutrients. They also provide a slew of health advantages. Make one of these delectable avocado recipes using them.
1 cup of raw avocado contains 10 grams of fiber.
Apples
Apples are delicious with many varieties available!
A medium-sized raw apple contains 4.4 grams of fiber.
Artichoke
The artichoke is a vegetable that rarely makes the news, however it is one of the riches sources of fiber in the world.
There are 6.9 grams of fiber in 1 raw globe or French artichoke.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are high in fiber, nutrients, including minerals and protein.
There are 12.5 grams of fiber per cup of cooked chickpeas.
Hummus is made with chickpeas and is one of the easiest spreads to create. It’s delicious on salads, vegetables, whole grain toast, and more.
Other high-fiber legumes are:
- black beans edamame lima beans baked beans
