Importance of Fiber in Our Diet - Especially for Diabetics!!!!

FIBER - fiber is the part in plant foods that humans can't digest. Because we can't digest it , it makes it all the way through the mouth to the stomach, then through the small and large intestine without being

absorbed, and out the other end. But even though it's not absorbed, it does all sorts of great stuff for our bodies.

The Most Important Thing About Fiber

Research has shown that fiber helps reduce the rapid rise in blood sugar that tends to take place after eating foods containing carbohydrates. It does this by slowing down there digestion. This helps in controlling the spike in blood sugar level after eating carbohydrates.

The 2 Types of Fiber

1. Insoluble Fiber - this fiber does not dissolve in water and contributes to the roughage or bulk to our intestinal track. This fiber helps us to prevent constipation, remove toxins from our intestinal track and balance the pH in our system.

Foods that contain insoluble fiber

- Vegetables such as green beans and dark green leafy vegetables
- Fruit skins and root vegetable skins
- Whole-wheat products
- Wheat oat
- Corn bran
- Seeds & Nuts

2. Soluble Fiber - this fiber dissolves in water making it a vital component of blood glucose control for many diabetics. Soluble fiber slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, this results in the slowing down of peaks and valley in your blood sugar. Soluble fiber is important for us for the following reasons

- helps lower blood sugar

- decrease blood sugar in the urine

- decreases insulin needs and increases tissue sensitivity to insulin

- helps with cardiovascular disease

Foods that contain soluble fiber

Oat/Oat bran
Dried beans and peas
Nuts
Barley
Flax seed
Fruits such as oranges and apples
Vegetables such as carrots
Psyllium husk

Hence, it is very important for you to include fiber in your diet, ideally a small portion with every meal would be the most beneficial.