Easily Adding Fiber to Your Diet

Fiber! It seems like every ad these days likes to point out that their product includes an extra gram of fiber or two. The commercials never quite explain exactly what purpose fiber serves in the diet- but we all know. Fiber is the ingredient that makes wishes come true.

That is if your wish is for your body to get going. Yes, usually demonstrated by the highlighted image of a woman's body with brightly colored ornaments following a downward arrow of implied relief. Your average American gets less than 10 grams of fiber a day- despite the necessary amount clocking at over 20. What you don't often hear is that a fiber lacking diet is the leading cause of colon cancer. Luckily there are plenty of ways to improve your fiber intake without having to rely on fiber supplement pills!

Ever heard the phrase- 'an apple a day, keeps the doctor away'? There's a surprising amount of truth to the statement. Rich in not only vitamins but also fiber- a single apple is an excellent contender for most important daily source. Eating one shortly after rising in the morning usually has a greater effect than doing so just before going to sleep.

At breakfast time you have plenty of cereal boxes to pick from that offer a respectable boost to your daily fiber intake. The good news is that not all of them taste like tree bark! Bran cereals have come along way (most at least) in terms of flavor! Should you find yourself wishing for a sweeter taste, a spoonful of brown sugar should do the trick without hurting the dietary effects! Along with your bran cereal, feel free to have a piece of wheat toast- a much greater source of fiber than white bread.

Lunchtime has arrived! What can you tuck away in your paper bag to supplement your fiber intake? Any meal high in oats or beans is more than likely to give you your next boost in fiber. Another good fruit choice, besides the apple, is to eat a fig or two- though they are fairly unpopular among fruit enthusiasts. An apple contains roughly four to five grams of fiber, a fig can contain about three, and a prune usually has about two- pick and choose wisely.

Dinner is served! As you grab your side dishes you should make sure to get a helping of potatoes! Baked, fried, boiled, or even raw- potatoes provide an excellent source of fiber! You can also take corn or sweet peas as an alternative- either will do. Other highly effective though unpopular choices are black beans or broccoli. Dessert coming up? Feel free to grab either some raspberries, cranberries, or strawberries as a final fiber source for the day!

Source(s)
Dr. Tooshi's High Fiber Diet - By Dr. Alan Tooshi