So much has been said about fiber the past few years I find myself wavering; wondering if it is really necessary to say more. But in hopes of the one belly-acher out there who may find relief, we look at the fiber.
Definition: The indigestible structural component of plants or roughage.
There are 2 types of fiber, soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber absorbs water and is found fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, and legumes.
Insoluble fiber does not absorb or dissolve in water as its name suggests.
This is the "crunchy" kind of fiber. You can get this from whole wheat, brans, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables such as celery and green beans. They pass from one end of the digestive tract to the other end virtually unchanged. This type of fiber does "a clean sweep" of your gi tract.
So what exactly is the role of fiber in the diet and why do we need it?
First and foremost, as mentioned it gives that “clean sweep”.
Processed food, including white sugar, white flour, larger than life portions of meat, and food chemicals, in our diets have increased. But fiber, which we need more than ever, had decreased.
Remember that your intestine has a very vital job in your body. It is responsible for absorbing the nutrients you need as the food passes through, but also for quickly eliminating anything not useful or dangerous that it does not need.
Now let me paint you a picture. Close your eyes and picture a big juicy steak that has been left in a dark, warm, moist place for several days. How does it look? Even better, how does it smell?
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