Written by
Austin Catmull
June 23, 2016
Fiber. Maybe you’ve heard it in conversations lately, or maybe you
haven’t. (Believe me, it’s a pretty hot topic in the nutrition space.)
Whether you talk about Fiber or not, the bottom line is that most people need to increase their fiber intake
to hit the recommended levels. Adequate dietary fiber levels for adults
is 25 to 38 grams per day. Are your dietary habits within that range?
Higher amounts of fiber
can be found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. With the busy lives we lead, it can
sometimes be challenging to get enough fiber from our food choices
alone. Fortunately, USANA has an excellent fiber product called
MySmart™Shake Fibergy Plus to help boost your fiber intake.
Let’s discuss some reasons why adequate fiber is an important diet goal and what some of the main benefits are.
Keeping it Regular
Alright. First thing’s first. Bowel regularity. There, I said it. Now let’s talk about it.
Fiber aids in normal bowel regularity, which helps move wastes and
toxins out of the colon quickly and efficiently. If you don’t eat enough
fiber or drink enough fluids, you could experience bowel irregularity
(constipation). Not good.*
Growing up, my mother always referred to this concept as eating
enough “roughage.” I won’t go into all of the details of those
conversations, but the idea stuck with me.
We need to eat foods high in
fiber that will help clear us out and keep us healthy.*
This is probably the main concept that comes to mind when you think about fiber, but there are many other benefits too.
Get Both Types
Diets high in soluble and insoluble fiber are important for digestive
health. But what does that mean? What is “soluble” and “insoluble”
fiber?
SOLUBLE FIBER can be found in foods like oatmeal, nuts, beans, and
fruit. It absorbs water and turns into gel in the digestive tract. This
helps soften stool, making it easier to pass. Soluble fiber also has
great benefits for heart health.
INSOLUBLE FIBER can be found in foods like whole-grains and
vegetables. This type of fiber helps promote regularity. It also helps
control hunger pangs, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
Fibergy Plus contains a blend of both soluble and insoluble fiber, so we’ve got you covered.
Protect Your Most Important Muscle
Nope. I’m not talking about your biceps. Not your pectorals. Not even your glutes. Your HEART is the aim here.
Fiber not only promotes good digestive health but it is also
important for the maintenance of heart health. Specifically, soluble
fiber binds to cholesterol and helps remove it from the body.*
The FDA states
that low-fat diets, rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits,
and vegetables, may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease
associated with many factors.*
The heart is one of the hardest working muscles in your body, so
boost that fiber intake so you can take care of it better, and it will
take care of you.
Feed Your Microbiome
Feed my what?! Don’t get freaked out. You may have heard about this.
You have trillions of bacteria in your body at all times called the “microbiome.” In fact, many types of microbes are good for your body and even essential for basic functions like digestion.
You need to eat foods high in fiber to support these tiny, helpful
organisms living within your body if you want to maximize the benefits
they provide. Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a huge proponent to getting plenty of fiber in your diet to support these microbes:
“You also need to consume enough fiber on a regular basis so that the
microbiome in your system is fed regularly. Most foods we eat (fats,
proteins) are digested and absorbed fairly early on in the digestive
tract. The microbiome is near the end of the digestive cycle, and they
need food high in fiber that will make it to them.”
Feel Fuller Longer
Aside from these important benefits listed above, did you know that
eating foods high in fiber actually helps you feel fuller, longer?
Do you find yourself snacking a lot throughout the day? If those are
healthy snacks, like fruits and vegetables, then that probably isn’t a
bad thing. But those healthy choices aren’t always within reach, so you
might find yourself grabbing a sugar-filled option instead.
Try eating foods high in fiber during your main meals, and see if
that impacts your snacking habits. Also, consider adding MySmart Fibergy Plus to drinks or even incorporating it in the food you eat. The high
fiber content will leave you feeling satisfied, making it easier to skip
unhealthy snacks throughout the day.
Eating a diet high in fiber should be a priority on your Nutrition
To-Do List. To ensure you’re hitting those fiber goals,
MySmart Fibergy Plus is a great addition to keep on-hand. You can easily add it to
juice, drinks, and
MySmartShakes to get the benefits of having sufficient fiber in your daily diet.
How do you make sure that you’re getting enough fiber? What are some
tasty ways that you add Fibergy to your recipes for a fiber boost?
| *These statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This product is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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