Your Fiber

When it comes to the foods we eat, we hear nutrition experts throw around a lot of catchphrases: whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean sources of protein. Unfortunately, one of the most important nutrients of all is also one that most of us don’t get enough of: dietary fiber.

Once you understand its role in prevent a variety of illnesses as well as being a great weight loss aid, you’ll want to make the switch to a high-fiber diet.

One of the best side effects of eating a high-fiber diet is that you may find it easier to maintain or even lose weight. There are several reasons why dietary fiber is so good at this. For one, foods high in fiber are usually healthier and lower in calories.

High-fiber foods take longer to chew and tend to prolong eating time. Eating more slowly allows your body enough time to begin to experience feelings of fullness so that you are less likely to overeat. High-fiber foods tend to be low-calorie density, which means they provide more volume for the number of calories.

Dietary fiber keeps you regular, helping you avoid constipation and other digestive problems. High fiber foods add bulk to the stool.

When moving through the stomach and intestines, fiber is absorbing a lot more than just water. It also picks up fats and bile salts, shuttling them out of the body rather than letting them travel to the bloodstream. This prevents these harmful particles from becoming cholesterol. And lower cholesterol means a healthier heart and cardiovascular system. Clinical studies have overwhelmingly shown that dietary fiber lowers blood cholesterol levels.