The Importance of Fiber - It's Not Just For Old People

By Andrea G Stein

A high fiber diet is often recommended, but what is it, why do you need it, and how do you know you're getting enough?

The Importance of Fiber - Not Just for Old People

A lot of people think fiber helps you go. And while fiber certainly will help you keep you regular, it's not just for old people or those of us with digestive track issues. Fiber fills you up and can help you lose weight. Fiber is a lower calorie, nutrient rich food source. It also acts as a natural body cleanser and plays an important role in clearing out fat and other bad stuff. A high fiber diet has been linked to helping prevent cancer and reducing high cholesterol.

The suggested daily allowance of fiber is 35 grams. Unfortunately few of us get that much in a week, let alone in a day. But fiber is easy to come by in foods like whole grains, apples, raspberries, strawberries, beans, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli. Not to mention that you can easily supplement the fiber in your diet by adding some fiber powder to your water. So how do you know if you're getting enough of this great stuff to stay healthy and lose weight?

Here are 3 Signs That You Are Not Eating a High Fiber Diet

• Blood Sugar Problems - Diabetics need to be especially vigilant at regulating their blood sugar. Fiber loaded carbs like whole grains, create a constant energy source for the body that help maintain sugar and insulin levels naturally.
• Irregularity - If you're suffering from constipation or irregularity, sticking to a high fiber diet can solve this problem quickly. Fiber will move food through your system and eliminate what's not needed.
• Fatigue - Fatty food not only can make you fat, but they can also leave you listless. Adding fiber helps boost your metabolism, giving you more energy and helping you lose weight.

As you can see the importance of fiber in the diet cannot be overlooked. Start adding more fiber to your diet today, either through fiber rich foods or a fiber supplement and you'll start to reap the reward of a high fiber diet - more energy, easier weight loss and a healthy blood sugar level

Andrea Stein is the founder of HotMamaSecrets.com, a beauty, health and wellness resource for moms. Unleash your Inner HotMama today.

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