High Fiber Foods : Key to a Stronger, Healthier You

 High Fiber Foods : Key to a Stronger, Healthier You

Fiber is an indigestible substance typically located in the outer parts of plants. This unique type of carbohydrate does not break down its nutrients during digestion. Fiber is exclusively produced by plants, serving as the structural framework that stores essential nutrients for the plant.

It packages the nutritious parts of the plant, and store organs that is rich in starch. It usually contains sugar, vitamins and minerals. High Fiber Food intake is a great way to prevent various diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, reduces cholesterol and obesity. Aside from this, it also cleanse our system particularly our digestive system. Fiber provides energy that our body needs, and has a very important role in metabolism.

Furthermore, it is usually know as dietary fiber since it promotes weight loss. This is because fiber is harder to chew and digest, slowing down the eating process. There exist two types of dietary fiber – soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

 Soluble fiber is a polysaccharide, a carbohydrate that has three or more molecules, and it helps lower overall cholesterol levels while insoluble fiber helps balance intestine acidity and removes toxins from the colon through regular bowel movements. There are different types of high fiber food that helps us keep healthy and strong, and below is a list of foods that has high dietary fiber:

High fiber foods under the category of soluble fiber are the following:

•  Legumes like peas and soybeans
•  Root vegetables like potato, sweet potatoes and onion
•  Fruits like apple, banana, pears, plum and berries
•  Fruit Juices like Prune Juice
•  Mucilage fibers, such as psyllium husk, play a crucial role in safeguarding the colon.
•  Barley, Chia and Rye

High Fiber food under the category of insoluble fiber are the following:

•  Wheat Bran
•  Fruits like strawberry, cranberry, orange, lemons and grapefruit
•  Green Vegetables like celery, watercress, lettuce and brocolli
•  Sprouts like alfalfa, radish and sunflower
•  Bell pepper, tomatoes and fresh herbs

Bran has the highest fiber content with 25% to 45%. This list is all healthy and has enormous benefits on our health. Consuming high-fiber foods along with adequate water intake serves as the most effective cleanser for our body. An individual requires a recommended daily intake of 30 to 40 grams of high-fiber foods.Up until the 1970′s, high fiber food was considered as a hindrance to nutrition needed by the body. It was T. L. Cleave, a naval doctor, who argued that fiber is good for our body. It was supported by Denis Burkin, a surgeon from East Africa, that provided evidence that people from Africa who had higher intake of fiber eventually appeared healthier and Western diseases are rare.

Today, obesity is the top malnutrition problem Americans have usually resulting to heart disease and cancer. With the help of this nutritious foods, we can combat this problem and have a healthier option of lifestyle. So, go and pile up those fiber and in no time you’ll feel healthy, look healthy and be healthy.