A High Fiber Diet Plan: The Prescription For A Longer Life Without Weight Problems!
With cancer, cardiovascular problems, diabetes and obesity being so prevalent today, people are becoming more aware of the benefits of a healthy eating plan. Although a healthy diet must be well balanced, fiber is arguably one of the most important components. Why? A high fiber diet plan can help you prevent all of the aforementioned diseases, while keeping you slim and energetic as well. Many studies have demonstrated that people who adhere to a high fiber diet plan live longer.
Fiber reduces your ‘bad’ cholesterol and effectively manages high blood pressure, thus contributing to cardiovascular health. Fiber reduces your risk of certain cancers as well.
A high fiber diet plan is important in the management of diabetes, in that each gram of fiber essentially offsets the carbohydrate grams consumed. For example, if you have a slice of bread containing 12 grams of carbohydrate and 4 grams of fiber, the net carbohydrates consumed equals just 8 grams.
If you’re trying to lose weight, or if you have diabetes and need to lose weight, a high fiber diet plan provides a benefit to you, because it often requires more calories to digest that fiber than the food contains! You can more quickly achieve a feeling of fullness with fiber-rich foods, so you’ll tend to consume fewer calories. In the process of digesting fiber rich foods, that fiber ‘sweeps’ away various toxins and waste material in your digestive system, much like a broom, resulting in healthier digestive function.
The American Dietetic Association recommends between 20?35 grams of fiber for good health. However, in this case, more is better! In the case of diabetes, or if you’d like to lose a substantial amount of weight, 35-45 grams will help you more quickly attain your objectives.
When you’re on a high fiber diet plan, it’s essential that you increase your water intake. Eight cups of water a day is the general rule of thumb. If you become constipated, you’ll want to increase the amount of water you drink.
Foods that are rich in fiber include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Be aware that plain old white bread doesn’t provide much fiber. Check nutritional food labels to be sure that whole grains are included. There are also commercial breads which can double the fiber content with added fiber on top of that in the whole grains.
Fresh, frozen and dried fruits are another good source of fiber. Berries, plums, apples and pears, as well as dried figs and apricots are some of the best. High fiber vegetables include broccoli, corn, garbanzos, green beans, green peas and snow peas. As for baked potatoes, always eat the skin, as that’s where the most fiber is contained. Dried beans are also excellent.
A high fiber diet plan is good for everyone. Choose fiber rich foods you enjoy and eat plenty of them. Your body will thank you.
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