Need More Fiber? Try These Foods
By Sara Butler
Fiber is really important, but many people don't eat enough of it each day. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you need about 24 grams of fiber per day if you're a woman and 38 grams if you're a man. However, it's estimated that 95 percent of American adults don't reach that daily goal, getting only about half.
Getting more fiber in your diet doesn't mean you have to eat bland muffins or eat prunes all day. The truth is that there are many tasty foods to easily incorporate into your diet that will do the trick and help you meet that daily goal for a healthy gut. Here are some foods you should try to help increase your fiber intake.
Fiber: What Is It?
Fiber is simply a type of carbohydrate that impossible for your body to digest. While that may sound a bit strange, it serves a very important purpose. Fiber can:
- Reduce cholesterol
- Promote a healthy body weight
- Ensure balanced blood sugar levels
- Reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancers
- Help keep your gastrointestinal tract moving
However, you don't want to go too gung-ho in your efforts to add fiber to your daily diet. Ease into it and incorporate high-fiber foods over a few days to help reduce some unsavory gastrointestinal side effects that can occur. And make sure to pair your fiber intake with plenty of water too!
Foods High in Fiber
Your pursuit of more fiber in your diet doesn't have to be bland. Some easy to find and tasty foods to include in your diet include:
- Pears - A medium pear contains about six grams of fiber.
- Strawberries - One cup of fresh strawberries provides about three grams of fiber.
- Apples - An apple a day may just keep the doctor away since one medium apple has about four grams of fiber.
- Avocado - One cup of avocado packs a whopping 10 grams of fiber, plus it's high in potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin C, too.
- Bananas - Bananas are really good for you in many ways, but also have about three grams of fiber per one medium banana.
- Raspberries - Eating one cup of raspberries will provide your body with eight grams of fiber.
- Artichokes - One French artichoke provides you with about seven grams of fiber.
- Chickpeas - You need more hummus in your life since these beans provide your body with over 12 grams of fiber per cup.
Fiber is a must for any diet, so make sure you're getting enough!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Midland, Texas.