Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss and general well-being. Health professionals advise that adults should eat at least 25-35 grams of fiber each day. The current average in western countries such as Australia and the United States is well below the recommended levels. For many people, increasing your fiber intake would very likely lead to improved health outcomes.
Check the following chart to see how much fiber you're getting.
Food Source - Dietary Fiber Content (grams)
Mixed grain/brown bread (1 slice) - 1.5g
White bread (1 slice) - 0.8g
Rolled oats (1 cup cooked) - 3.3g
Bran cereal (1/2 cup) - 7.5g
Rice (1/2 cup cooked) - 0.8g
Rice, brown (1/2 cup cooked) - 1.8g
Spaghetti, brown (1/2 cup cooked) - 4.2g
Banana - 3.4g
Apple, pear or orange - 2.0g
Prunes, dates or dried apricots (50g) - 6.5g
Sultanas or raisins (50g) - 3.5g
Peas, green (100g) - 5.3g
Corn kernels (100g) - 4.7g
Potato, peeled, cooked (100g) - 1.0g
Broccoli (100g) - 4.1g
Carrot (100g) - 2.8g
Baked beans (1 small can) - 9.5g
Here are some common questions about fiber in our diet.
What is fiber?
Fiber is the indigestible carbohydrate residue found in foods. There are two types: soluble or insoluble. Soluble is soft and mushy - for instance beans and porridge; insoluble is hard and course, such as wheat bran.
What good does fiber do?
Fiber works by speeding up the time it takes food to pass through the large intestine, reducing the absorption of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. It also modifies the metabolism of foods, binds waste products for elimination and counters the effects of toxic bacteria in the colon. Dietary fiber is helpful for those who want to lose weight, since fiber absorbs water so you feel full and satisfied throughout the day. Adding fiber to your diet can help improve your eating habits, which can lead to weight loss and more energy!
What is the recommended daily amount?
25-35 grams. At present, the amount of fiber consumed in a typical diet in developed countries is well below the recommended levels.
Which foods are high in fiber?
Natural foods are usually high in fiber i.e. whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables.
What happens to fiber in the body?
It passes through the stomach into the digestive tract, and on to the large bowel intact where it absorbs water and other waste materials, then it is passed as stools.
How can fiber assist Type II diabetics?
A study published in the May 11, 2000 issue of The New England Journal of medicine reports that diabetic patients who included 50 grams of fiber in their daily diet lowered their glucose levels by 10%. Fifty grams is a lot of fiber: about twice as much as the American Diabetes Association recommends, and nearly 3 times as much fiber as most Americans consume in a day. To read more about these amazing health benefits of fiber go to http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/958073584.html
How can I increase fiber in my diet?
The Clinical Nutrition center at the John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center provide some excellent suggestion to increase fiber intake. http://www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/NUTRI/fiber.html
How can I increase my fiber intake...in my area there is not a good supply of fresh fruit and vegetables?
Nutritional supplements are the perfect answer to dietary problems where the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables is compromised.
Kim is successful a weight loss coach who will help you reach your goal weight. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply results you'll love. Free consultation: http://leanmachine.org/?refid=fiber-28654 Are you interested in earning money from home? We can help you grow a profitable business in the wellness industry: http://leanmachine.org/?refid=fiber-28654
personalized cleaning services Des Plaines ..There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits... Read More
As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More
Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
Omega-3 appear to reduce the risk of heart attack. A... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More
Zingiber officinale has been held in the highest regard by... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
The wonders of modern science continue to amaze us with... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been... Read More
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
Most people understand that it is wise to limit the... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
Nutrition |