What is it really? Fiber is the hull of the grain that contains many of the nutrients.
What does it do? When the fiber is stripped away (as it is in most processed foods), not only are you left with an easily digestible grain but you are left with few nutrients. The fiber is a bulking agent that slows down digestion and helps you to feel full. It also swells and fills the intestine and helps to keep it cleaned and emptied. All of these things help to maintain a healthy digestive system which is imperative to maintain a healthy weight and nutrition.
How much do I need? Most healthy adults need about 25 g. of daily fiber. However, most adults get less that 10 grams of fiber in their daily diet.
Where do I get fiber? Fiber comes from various plant and grain products such as breads, pastas, rice, quinoa, beans and lentils as well as fruits and vegetables. You can check the labels of packaged products for fiber. Also watch for “insoluble” fiber which simply means that your body does not break it at all for nutrition and eliminates it after it has done its job of bulking up waste products in the intestines.
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