This is a topic many people don't really want to discuss but it's an important part of a healthy diet.
Do people really know what fiber is and what it does in their bodies? Let's start with what it is. Fiber is the indigestible part of the plant, also known as roughage, that goes through the digestive system, collects water and helps to move waste out of your body through your bowel movements.
Fiber is mostly found in plants like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Fiber has two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. As it absorbs water, it becomes gelatinous and as it moves through the digestive tract it becomes fermented. Insoluble fiber does not absorb water as it moves through the digestive tract and therefore does not change its form like soluble fiber does. Each type of fiber has specific health benefits.
Insoluble fiber moves bulk through the digestive tract and regulates the pH of the intestines.
Benefits of insoluble fiber
Soluble fiber binds with fatty acids, slows down the time it takes sugar to enter the bloodstream and also slows down how long it takes the stomach to empty
Benefits of soluble fiber
Unfortunately, Americans eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) are severely lacking in their fiber intake. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the recommended amount of daily fiber intake is: for women 21-25 grams and for men is 30-38 grams. Most Americans are barely getting 5-10 grams of fiber daily. A diet filled with refined carbohydrates is nearly devoid of fiber.
The typical American diet causes bloating, gas, constipation and can lead to disease and general bad health. It's really important to make sure you are consuming adequate amounts of fiber on a daily basis. Your gut health is everything. Your gut is your second brain and most of your immune system resides there. If your gut is a mess, your health is a mess.
One of the best things you can do for your health is to consume enough soluble and insoluble fiber to keep your bowels moving efficiently every day. If you eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily, you will get enough of both types. It will help you keep your weight down, keep your blood sugar balanced, ward off heart disease and even certain cancers. So eat those greens!
Are you dreading the holidays, knowing that you won't be able to wear the same clothes on New
Years that you wore at the beginning of the feeding frenzy we call the holiday season? Are you worried that you might undo all the good you have done recently for your health? Do you think you might go off the rails with your food choices? Do the holidays get really stressful and cause you to make food choices that may not be very healthy?
If any of the above scares you, I can help you get through the next two months with my Healthy Holidays program. And you won't even have to leave the comfort of your home.
I am offering SPECIAL PRICING until THURSDAY 11/7 for anyone who signs up by then. The regular price of this program is $297 but until 11/7, the price is only $247...that's a $50 savings!
If you would like to have a free consultation about the Healthy Holidays program, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.
Do people really know what fiber is and what it does in their bodies? Let's start with what it is. Fiber is the indigestible part of the plant, also known as roughage, that goes through the digestive system, collects water and helps to move waste out of your body through your bowel movements.
Fiber is mostly found in plants like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Fiber has two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. As it absorbs water, it becomes gelatinous and as it moves through the digestive tract it becomes fermented. Insoluble fiber does not absorb water as it moves through the digestive tract and therefore does not change its form like soluble fiber does. Each type of fiber has specific health benefits.
Insoluble fiber moves bulk through the digestive tract and regulates the pH of the intestines.
Benefits of insoluble fiber
- promotes regular bowel movements, preventing constipation
- moves waste through the colon more quickly
- balances pH and keeps harmful microbes from growing in the intestines that could lead to colorectal cancer
Soluble fiber binds with fatty acids, slows down the time it takes sugar to enter the bloodstream and also slows down how long it takes the stomach to empty
Benefits of soluble fiber
- reduces cholesterol, especially LDLs (bad cholesterol)
- regulates sugar absorption, especially good for diabetics and pre-diabetics
- the fermentation process improves digestive health and immunity and therefore overall health
Unfortunately, Americans eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) are severely lacking in their fiber intake. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the recommended amount of daily fiber intake is: for women 21-25 grams and for men is 30-38 grams. Most Americans are barely getting 5-10 grams of fiber daily. A diet filled with refined carbohydrates is nearly devoid of fiber.
The typical American diet causes bloating, gas, constipation and can lead to disease and general bad health. It's really important to make sure you are consuming adequate amounts of fiber on a daily basis. Your gut health is everything. Your gut is your second brain and most of your immune system resides there. If your gut is a mess, your health is a mess.
One of the best things you can do for your health is to consume enough soluble and insoluble fiber to keep your bowels moving efficiently every day. If you eat several servings of fruits and vegetables daily, you will get enough of both types. It will help you keep your weight down, keep your blood sugar balanced, ward off heart disease and even certain cancers. So eat those greens!
Are you dreading the holidays, knowing that you won't be able to wear the same clothes on New
Years that you wore at the beginning of the feeding frenzy we call the holiday season? Are you worried that you might undo all the good you have done recently for your health? Do you think you might go off the rails with your food choices? Do the holidays get really stressful and cause you to make food choices that may not be very healthy?
If any of the above scares you, I can help you get through the next two months with my Healthy Holidays program. And you won't even have to leave the comfort of your home.
I am offering SPECIAL PRICING until THURSDAY 11/7 for anyone who signs up by then. The regular price of this program is $297 but until 11/7, the price is only $247...that's a $50 savings!
If you would like to have a free consultation about the Healthy Holidays program, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.
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