Fiber Benefits Jump-Start Weight Loss !

Can you believe that just thirty years ago, fiber benefits were totally ignored by the medical community as being healthy? Found only in plants, fiber is a unique substance that is indigestible. That's right, it passes through the digestive system completely unchanged! Today, there's significant emphasis on the healthy aspects of fiber and it's relationship to weight loss.

Fiber is classified as a carbohydrate and is divided into two additional categories, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, found in carrots, oats, apples, and beans, can be dissolved in water. Its chief contribution is lowering cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

Insoluble fiber cannot be dissolved in liquid. It is considered to be an effective laxative and is generally found in vegetables, nuts, whole-wheat flours, and wheat bran.

Most Americans only get about half the recommended amount of fiber in their diets. A good diet would consists of 25-35 grams of fiber per day. Men need more than women, and younger women need slightly more than older women.

One interesting fact is that Americans only consume about 10% of the fiber found in typical diets 100 years ago! When you consider the many advancements in wheat processing, that statistic makes more sense.

Wheat bran is the single best source of fiber, although other good sources include whole-grain breads, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Fiber supplements, such as Metamucil and Citrucel, can be useful, but these products provide a restricted type of fiber. Some fiber benefits can only be utilized if eaten naturally.

You can easily take advantage of the many fiber benefits, but be sure to introduce it slowly to your system. Adding too much at once can cause cramping, bloating, and other gastrointestinal problems. Drinking plenty of water can help.

There are many fiber benefits. Fiber slows down the eating process by requiring that you chew and provides a sense of fullness that makes food more satisfying. Fiber prevents constipation and benefits weight loss. In addition, fiber slows down digestion and absorption and enables glucose to enter the bloodstream more slowly, causing fewer spikes in blood sugar. Fiber lowers blood cholesterol levels and produces organic acids that provide fuel for the liver.

Weight loss is one of the most exciting benefits of a high fiber diet. Foods providing plenty of this nutrient are more satisfying and provide a sense of fullness. The texture of high fiber foods is appealing to the dieter and the foods tend to be lower in calories than some other choices that could be made.

With all of these wonderful fiber benefits, why wouldn't you want to make fiber a major part of your diet? Make sure that the next meal you plan includes a healthy portion of high-fiber foods to meet all your daily needs!