The Benefits of a High Fiber Diet

When you are losing weight, you might want to consider a high fiber diet as part of your meal planning. Even if you are not losing weight, fiber is good. However, it can be especially helpful in weight loss.

What is Fiber?

Fiber is the part of food that is actually not digested by your body. It goes right through your stomach and into your colon. It is often called ‘roughage.’ It is also called dietary fiber. Many foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, have fiber. Some have more than others. But the main reason you need fiber is that it keeps your system moving, and can also prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.

Fiber and Weight Loss

Since you don’t digest fiber, it can be a great aid in weight loss. Here’s how: Fiber gives your system a feeling of being full. The effect of eating high fiber foods at a meal stays with you much longer than eating something that is quickly digested. In addition, you often consume fewer calories with high fiber foods because they are generally denser, requiring more of your own chewing effort in the first place.

Foods High in Fiber

The best foods for a high fiber diet are whole grains, such as brown rice, oat bran, oatmeal. Beans such as split peas and kidney beans are actually the highest in fiber and are great for your health. Believe it or not, popcorn is a great high fiber diet food—as long as you don’t drown it in butter, and you air-pop it. Among the fruits, raspberries are a great high fiber fruit. Raw vegetables also add fiber to your diet.

Benefits of a High Fiber Diet

There have been many proven benefits to a high fiber diet. The first one is that it relieves constipation. It also controls the blood sugar level. This is important for people with diabetes, but it is also important for anyone trying to lose weight, because the fluctuation in your blood sugar drives you to binge eating. High fiber also lowers cholesterol, and keeps your digestive system quite healthy.

What Else to Know

Drink lots more water when you are on a high fiber diet, in order to help the fiber pass through your system. Also, don’t overdo the fiber, as you can find yourself getting bloated or having too much gas. Increase the fiber in your diet gradually and watch the effects. As you get more comfortable with the fiber, you will be able to handle more.

Remember that a high fiber diet does not mean you must eliminate all the other aspects of your diet. You still need protein, vegetables and carbohydrates for a balanced diet. A high fiber diet just means that you want to pay attention to the amount of fiber in your diet. As with any diet or change in your eating habits, the best thing to do is work with a professional, such as your doctor or a nutrition counselor, so that you do what is best for your body and health.

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