In the last post, I recommended eating more fruit to compensate for junk food (instead of skipping the meal). Note, NOT eating junk food is always better than anything else including this. But why is fiber so important?
What is Fiber?
Well, first of all, let me tell you what fiber is all about. Fiber is basically an indigestible nutrient – the two main types being soluble and insoluble. Since soluble fiber is the kind most beneficial, lets focus on that.
Soluble fiber is the kind of fiber that dissolves in water and absorbs water. Once you eat it, the body turns it into a kind of thick, viscous gel, which moves very slowly through your body.
Benefits of Fiber
Soluble fiber fills you up and keeps you fuller longer, providing that sensation of fullness we call satiety.
It also slows the absorption of glucose (sugar) into the body. So your body gets a steady sugar supply, avoiding sugar highs (or lows).
Fiber inhibits the re-absorption of bile into the system. Bile is a fat emulsifier and therefore if you inhibit bile re-absorption, your liver needs to get its cholesterol fix from your blood. This means lower blood-serum cholesterol levels.
Now you know why fiber is the best anti-dote for your junk food binge.
Getting more fiber in the diet
How can you get more fiber in your diet? Well, rather than using fiber supplements, which simply aren’t necessary, the easiest way is to eat fiber-rich foods such as fruits, veggies, grains and pulses. All of these are natural and effective sources of soluble fiber. There is no need to consume any of the fiber-fortified foods like flakes for your fiber fix!
