Why Fiber Is Key For Healthy Living

Fiber may be the reason you aren't hitting your weight goals, experience autoimmune flares, or the cause of certain health issues. Fiber is incredibly beneficial for our bodies, but before I get into that, let me explain what fiber is…

Fiber is an indigestible part of all plant foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans.

There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. If you start eating more food rich in fiber, you’ll be amazed by its beneficial effects on your body, health, and way of life.

Soluble fiber forms a glue-like gel in the intestinal tract. The gel softens stools (no more constipation) and improves your digestion (no more indigestion).

Insoluble fiber is an excellent natural laxative, because of its ability to hold onto water and to push waste faster along the intestines - this way fiber decreases the risk of colon cancer.

Fiber slows down stomach emptying and you feel fuller longer. This effect helps you eat less, your body burns additional calories to digest fiber and you can lose weight.

Let's imagine the following picture:

You overeat at least once or twice a week, more often at weekends, and your regular menu doesn't include much fiber. More then likely, you are experiencing a few of these health problems:

- indigestion

- discomfort stomach aches

- gases in the digestive tract

- constipation

- hemorrhoids

- you get tired faster

- can't concentrate on what you're doing / brain fog

You become less productive at work and more irritable at home. Besides becoming irritable and unproductive, you gain weight and that’s the moment when you realize you have a problem....

Little to no fiber!

The ideal average amount of fiber intake is about 25-30 grams per day. Unfortunately, most people's regular diets include less than 10-15 grams daily.

18 Fiber-rich foods:

1. avocado

2. beets

3. beans

4. peas

5. spinach

6. broccoli

7. artichoke

8. brussels sprouts

9. lentils

10. quinoa

11. sweet corn

12. all-bran cereal

13. wholemeal brown bread

14. red cabbage

15. carrots

16. baked potato with skin

17. chia seeds

18. apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and all fruits

Recent research shows that a high fiber diet can lower cholesterol, promote a healthy weight, help control blood sugar, help prevent some autoimmune disorders, and reduces the risk for certain cancers.

The best way to make sure you are eating enough high-fiber foods every day? Add fruit and vegetables to your breakfast.