Family,
Why not add more fiber to your diet? This is a great idea for your health. Why? Because fiber relieves constipation. It helps maintain healthy weight. Fiber may also help lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, hemorrhoids and stroke. We certainly don’t want any of that.
Some good choices are fresh fruits and veggies, legumes which include nuts and seeds, popcorn (don’t cover it with butter or load it down with salt), and whole grain products. Now don’t confuse multi grain with whole grain products as some people do.
There are some wonderful whole grain products on the market. I’ve tried many of them. There are pastas (spaghetti, linguine, rotini, and lasagna noodles), whole grain rice, bread (not multi-grain), cereals and more, and they are so delicious. Preparation is about the same as usual.
Fresh fruits and veggies are wonderful. They can be eaten raw or prepared so many different ways. Just don’t cook all of the vitamins out of the veggies. Cook them gently and don’t use too much water. And watch it, don’t top those fruits with sugary toppings or dips.
Legumes provide fiber as well. Peas, peanuts, clover, lentil, alfalfa and beans belong to the legume family. Beans are great. There is such an assortment of beans. Decide which ones you like best and go for them.
Mixed nuts are very good or if you have a favorite nut, you can choose to snack on it. Just be mindful to eat the unsalted ones. Nuts are great for holding you till the next meal (especially almonds) when you get that urge to snack between meals.
So if you hate constipation, want to do something to help control your weight, and help to lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, hemorrhoids and stroke, “FIBER UP!”
