We Need More Fiber

Image via Wikipedia

What is dietary fiber?

Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, includes all parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb. Unlike other food components such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates — which your body breaks down and absorbs — fiber isn't digested by your body. Therefore, it passes relatively intact through your stomach, small intestine, colon and out of your body. It might seem like fiber doesn't do much, but it has several important roles in maintaining health.

Fiber is commonly classified into two categories: those that don't dissolve in water (insoluble fiber) and those that do (soluble fiber).

    * Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools. Whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts and many vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber.
    * Soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.


below is a list of fruit that also cans the fiber we need everyday: Eat healthy to sat healthy says, Toni House CEO First Tax Solution LLC, and author of Save Your Money, Save Your Family (also available at Amazon)Save Your Money, Save Your Family Amazon

1. Raspberries,
2. Blackberries,
3. Strawberries,
4. Prunes,  
5. Papaya,
6. Orange,
7. Apple,
8. Pears,
9. Figs, dried,
10. Avocado,

Related articles by Zemanta

• An apple a day? Study shows soluble fiber boosts immune system (scienceblog.com)

Shop Primeter Of The Grocery Store

Image by dchrisoh via Flickr

In general, healthy eating ingredients are found around the outer edges of most grocery stores—fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and poultry, whole grain breads and dairy products. The centers of many grocery stores are filled with overpriced, processed foods that aren’t good for you. Shop the perimeter of the store for most of your groceries (fresh items), add a few things from the freezer section (frozen fruits and vegetables), and the aisles with spices, oils, and whole grains (like rolled oats, brown rice, whole wheat pasta).
Cook when you can

Try to cook one or both weekend days or on a weekday evening and make extra to freeze or set aside for another night. Cooking ahead saves time and money, and it is gratifying to know that you have a home cooked meal waiting to be eaten.

Related articles by Zemanta

• On Fiber (fooducate.com)

My book Save Your Money, Save Your Family is now available