Simple Facts
About Fiber Food

Plants provide humans with an invaluable source of dietary fiber food that we need for physical growth, mental development, and energy.

The foods high in dietary fiber provide chemical compounds that our gastrointestinal systems use to absorb the nutrients required for good health.

But that is not all these foods do for your body.

The simple fact is, these same foods prove to be a great source of nutrition as well.

Here are some more simple facts about fiber food.

• Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods:grains, nuts, and seeds along with fruits and vegetables. Meat has no fiber; milk and eggs have no fiber.
• Frozen foods and canned foods can have as much fiber as the raw produce.
• The more whole the food is, the more fiber is retained. 
  • Removing seeds, hulls, and skins reduces fiber.
  • Crushing, juicing, mashing reduces fiber.
• The more a food is processed the more fiber is destroyed: Whole and sliced tomatoes keep more fiber than tomato juice.
• Processing a food can reduce the fiber: Drying and crushing, for example, destroy the water-holding qualities of fiber.
• Most foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber components: So it is easy to add fiber to your daily eating habits.
• Insoluble fiber promotes intestinal health.
  • Foods high in insoluble fiber promotes a healthy digestive system and helps you avoid constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and weight gain.
  • Find insoluble fiber in whole grains, wheat bran, nuts (including nut butters), and many vegetables.
• Soluble fiber promotes heart health and has prebiotic effects.
  • Foods high in soluble fiber can help you improve cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.
  • Find high amounts of soluble fiber in oats, barley, citrus fruits, apples, beans, peas and carrots.

  When you enjoy a variety of grains (like cereals and rice), vegetables, and fruits in your meals, you'll get the benefit of both types of fiber nutition.