Generally speaking fiber is a polysaccharide. A non starch glucose unit that the body enzymes cannot break down. Some fiber is soluble in water and some are not. Celllulose and pectin are the names of some fiber you may be familiar with.

Fiber is an important part of our diet as it is essential for good health. If you choose to use a fad diet to quickly loose weight, check to be sure your fad diet contains sufficient fiber. Adults require 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day. Sufficient daily fiber promotes good colon health and guards against hemorrhoids and other intestinal problems.

A high fiber diet promotes the feeling of being full- helping to cut the calorie intake. High fiber stimulates the muscles of the intestines and colon and promotes regularity. Studies also suggest that a high fiber diet reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Take some time to become aware of sources of high fiber foods. High fiber food are readily available and we need to be aware of them and choose the foods we need. Fruits and grains are high in fiber. Eating any of the following food will yield 2 grams or more of fiber.

Small apple slice of whole wheat bread

banana oatmeal – also great to reduce cholesterol

2 prunes popcorn

several cherries Broccoli

potatoes baked beans

dried peas green beans

peaches

This list is by no mean conclusive. The canned and packaged foods we buy a the grocery store all have a label usually on the back called Nutritional Facts. This label will list the amount of sodium, calories, etc, as well as the amount of dietary fiber in each serving. It is hard to go wrong with any of the green vegetables either whole, canned, or frozen. An added extra when you select green vegetables is that they have few calories. Although there are several foods high in fiber you may also want to look at the calories involved if gaining weight is a consideration.

Do you like to snack? Be selective in you snaking. Chose snake foods containing fiber. Granted snack foods are not the best source of fiber. Peanuts ( probably my favorite), walnuts and even pickles are snake food containing fiber