How can I add more fiber to my diet?
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good sources of fiber. Try to eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups vegetables every day if you eat 2000 calories. Replace refined white bread with whole grain bread and cereals. Eat brown rice instead of white rice. Eat more of the following foo ...
What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber?
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and so it becomes a gel in your stomach after you eat foods like grains (cereals, breads, pasta and rice), fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber may help with weight loss as it makes you feel full longer, and research has shown it also may help lower blood cholest ...
Why are “whole grains” better for me than “refined” or “enriched” grains?
The benefits of whole grains most documented by repeated studies include: stroke risk reduced 30-36% type 2 diabetes risk reduced 21-30% heart disease risk reduced 25-28% better weight maintenance Other benefits indicated by recent studies include: reduced risk of asthma healthier carotid ar ...
What are the health benefits of fiber?
The health benefits of fiber are well documented in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Fiber is linked to reduced risk of cancer, especially colon and breast cancer, and fiber may help lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels, which can reduce your risk of heart ...
What is dietary fiber?
Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate and is the part of the plant material that cannot be digested or absorbed in your bloodstream. It contains no calories and it is classified as soluble or insoluble. Additional Resources: http://www.wheatfoods.org/AboutWheat-What-is-Fiber/Index.htm http://w ...
How much fiber should I eat every day?
Experts recommend that healthy adults eat 20 to 35 grams of dietary fiber per day. You can meet this goal by eating a well-balanced diet containing a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grain bread, cereal, pasta, rice or crackers. Additional Resources: http://edis.ifas.ufl. ...
What are whole grains and how can I tell if a product is a whole grain?
Whole grains are made up of the entire grain kernel with nothing removed. The entire grain consists of the bran, germ and the endosperm. In contrast, “refined” or “enriched” grains usually have had two of the three parts removed. Whole-grain products can be identified by ...
Are brown grain products whole grain products?
Brown dyes and additives such as caramel coloring and mixed red and green food coloring can give foods the deceiving appearance of whole grain. Read labels to be sure a food is whole grain, and try to get three-ounce equivalents of whole grains a day. Additional Resources: http://www.cspinet.org ...
Are multigrain foods made with whole grains?
The only way to know for sure if you are eating 100% “whole grain” is when you see the word “whole” leading the ingredient list in front of every grain. With foods claiming to be “Multigrain,” “7-grain,” even “Made with whole grains,” y ...