High Fiber The #1 Diet

I'm sure you've heard everyone saying it - the best way to live your life is through a high-fiber diet. Health expert after health expert is telling us this. Even the American Dietetic Association, the Surgeon General, and the National Cancer Institute are pushing the importance of making sure you eat enough fiber. Their recommendation is that every adult should consume at least 20-35 grams of fiber a day (for children the recommendation is "age plus five" meaning their age plus five in fiber grams per day).

While that doesn't seem like too much to ask, a lot of the foods we eat today are not full of the high fiber we need, but instead are overflowing with fats and sugars that we don't require. Every day people are tempted by fast food restaurants, snacks that have been preserved and pre-packaged, and other non-healthy options, instead of fiber-rich foods like fresh vegetables and fruits.

Not all people can appreciate what fiber really does for the body. Often, they don't know about its healthful benefits. Essentially when you take in soluble fibers they get into your digestive system and act much like a first cleaning crew. Things that are in the system, like toxins and extra cholesterol will be sucked into the fiber, and then it will move it through the body and eventually eliminate those items during a bowel movement. Insoluble fibers meanwhile are like the secondary clean up crew and scrub the walls of your colon, getting any other debris to move out of your body. It is believed diets high in fiber can keep toxins from turning into diseases such as Cancer, Crohn's, and Colitis.

In addition, fiber is an aid in heart health. Studies have shown that fiber contributes to healthy cholesterol levels as well as regulating blood sugar levels.

When it comes to losing weight, fiber is the smart and natural choice to help you reach your weight loss goals. Generally foods that are high in fiber are very low in calories. The result is simple math - the lower calorie a food is, the more of it you can eat within dieting parameters. Once fiber-rich foods get into the intestines, they also help produce hormone CCK (cholecystokinin). This is the hormone that sends messages to your body and brain to let you know you have eaten enough, and are full.

The changes that can make all the difference in your battle with weight loss and to have better health are very easy ones. It's as simple as adding more fiber to your diet. If you don't remember the 20-35 grams of fiber number, remember to try and make sure there are five servings of fruit and vegetables in your diet every day.