While at the grocery store, have you noticed that you have more choices than ever from food manufacturers? Low-fat, high-protein, low-sodium, and especially high-fiber foods have become the growing trend impacting our shopping carts, taste buds and our health. High fiber is no longer the 'neglected nutrient'. Its role in healthy lifestyles has become the buzzword for today's health-conscious consumer. The whole-grain trend has apparently surpassed the low carb movement. Fiberlady says it's about time.
Continued research encourages the food industry to develop whole-grain products that are more appealing and acceptable to you and me. By exploring new technology for grain-processing, the texture and taste of whole-grain products is being altered. There is currently marketed a fiber-enriched flour that tastes and has a similar texture of white bread. The mounting presence of dietary fiber in our food sources should easily satisfy a wide range of dietary needs, tastes and choices.
Fiberlady has curiously noticed foods such as cereals, breads and pastas, the once dreaded low-carbs, have now become the darlings of health-conscious, high-fiber food fans. There are good carbs that not only help you with weight loss and control, but also protect your health.
"The percentage of products being marketed as fiber-enriched has increased from 2.3 percent in 2000, 2.5 percent in 2001, 2.8 percent in 2002, 3 percent in 2003, to 4.2 percent this year," comments Tom Vierhile, the executive editor of Productscan Online. "Four years of consective growth is pretty good evidence of a trend." The revisions in the new food pyramid will help promote the trend for high fiber foods and high-fiber diets as well.
The daily recommendation of dietary fiber by nutritional experts is 20-35 grams. Studies support over and over again the health benefits of consuming high fiber foods. A high fiber diet helps to protect and prevent cardiovascular disease, reduces the risk of some cancers,aids in weight loss,lowers cholesterol levels, and helps regulate diabetes and high blood pressure.
Fiberlady recognizes that we have come along way in the evolution of our species, but we didn't get this far by eating highly-refined, processed foods. Fast food for our ancestors meant grabbing an apple off the nearest tree. There was an undeniable instinct for nutrient-rich fibrous plants.
Today, we descendants of the apes eat barely enough high-fiber foods to keep a monkey in bananas. There is a challenging road ahead to redefine overly-refined foods. The food industry needs to consciously bridge the gap in nutritional awareness among consumers. Informative websites are abundant and can address all of your high fiber questions and/or doubts.
Fiberlady wants you to raise your high fiber IQ and do the same for the people you care about, choose high fiber foods. Even if you have to read every nutritional fact on every food label on the grocer's shelf, choose high fiber foods. Think about the alternative.
When most people hear low carb and high fiber diet they think of raw carrots, rice cakes and celery sticks. A high fiber low carb diet can be delicious and full of variety if you select carefully. Think about high fiber food as similar to the high protein, low carb diet plan, with more meat, veggies, and beneficial carbs, which you will have in smaller quantities. Many places offer different options for low carb high fiber choices if you know where to start looking. There are a lot of menus out there that can guide you on a low carb high fiber diet. Check for resources such as diet and weight loss sites, forums, and blogs on the Internet. Many of these sites offer diet plans and recipes that are tasty and filling and allow you to lose weight quickly. Just remember that you need to stick to the diet at least 90% of the time for it to be effective. Low carb high fiber foods are currently available on a lot of menus at the restaurants where you dine out. The reason for this is because restaurants are aware of their customer's desire to slim down their bodies and they are attempting to support them by giving them the right type of food that will conform to the standards of high protein low carb diets. If you're dining out and you don't see low carb high fiber foods on the menu, be creative. Many restaurants will let you tailor an entree to fit your needs so you don't have to stray from your diet. If eating out isn't your style, but you don't like to cook, there are several ready-made meals that are available in your grocer's freezer that cater to those on a low carb high fiber diet. While you're making low carb high fiber foods part of your regular diet, make sure you exercise regularly for best results. Briskly walking for a half an hour or so each day is great for slimming down, since it's easy and is low-impact. It can even be entertaining if you bring a portable music player along. Exercise is an important component to your low carb diet. You are more likely to keep up with your exercise routine if it is low impact and fun. A brisk walk outside is an excellent way to exercise. You can invigorate your mind and body while enjoying the great outdoors. Once you start seeing and feeling the pounds drop away, you'll be more inclined to stick with eating your low carb high fiber foods and enjoy a healthier life.
Both Stephanie Shank & D. Brisbane are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Stephanie Shank has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kids and Teens, Family and High Cholesterol. Stephanie Shank (a.k.a. Fiberlady) has studied good nutrition since her days of mothering began 15 years ago which prompted her commitment to a high fiber lifestyle and the development of her informative website. Stephanie Shank's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
D. Brisbane has sinced written about articles on various topics from Low Carb Diet. For further details and more information about please go to