The Importance of Fiber in Your Diet

When someone is told that they need to increase their fiber intake, they automatically think of taking Metamucil or bran. I am guilty of taking chewable fiber tablets when I was in my mid-to-late 20s.

I had no understanding about nutrition and my diet was very unhealthy. I thought that all I had to do was take a few fiber tablets and I would feel fine, but things didn’t change, because I continued eating junk.

Fiber is easy to get in your diet without the need for supplements. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to take fiber supplements, unless your diet is void of high fiber foods.

Fiber in Plant-Foods

If you hate eating vegetables and other plant foods, you could have a fiber deficiency in your diet. Fiber is a very important nutrient that is vital for human health.

Fiber is not present in animal foods. When your diet is deficient in fiber, the deficiency leads to many health problems (hemorrhoids, constipation, varicose veins and diabetes) and is a major cause of cancer. Consider adding more plant-foods to your diet, so that you get the fiber you need in your diet.

If you eat a diet high in plant foods, such as fruit, vegetables and beans, you will get large amounts of various types of fiber. Eating plant foods is a natural way of getting the fiber that your body needs, without taking the supplements that taste like cardboard.

Benefits of Fiber Found in Plant Foods

You may not like eating plant foods, but in the long haul, it benefits your body more than you will ever know. Here is how fiber found in plant foods benefits your body:

1. Fewer abnormal physiological cravings

2. Fewer hormonal embalances

3. Prevents diabetes

4. Stronger immune system

5. Slows down the rate of glucose absorption

6. Less risk of varicose veins

7. Less risk of hemorrhoids and constipation.

Conclusion

If you eat a diet high in animal foods, you should consider adding more plant foods to your diet. If plant foods taste nasty to you, add some of your favorite herbs and spices so that they tickle your taste buds. Whatever you do, know that you can get fiber in your diet naturally.

Increasing the amounts of plant foods you consume, will help you get the fiber you need in your diet. The next time you tell yourself that you can’t eat nasty vegetables, remind yourself of the fiber and the benefits of fiber in your diet. I’m sure you will gobble up those nasty vegetables without ever giving it much thought.

Source of Information: Eat to Live by Joel Furhman, M.D.