Seniors Living Longer - Embrace Fiber As Your Friend

g fiber? Why should you care? After all, it cannot be•If you have or are susceptible to developing
digested by the human body. It has no nutritionaltype 2 diabetes, a high fiber diet may slow the
value. In many forms, it is not that pleasant to eat.absorption of sugar into your system.
However, as we will discover, adequate fiber in yourSources of high dietary fiber include:
diet is vital for your good health.•Cereals: 100% Bran, Corn Bran, Bran Buds, All
Dietary fiber takes the form of water soluble andBran
water insoluble. Each of these contributes to our well•Legumes: Baked beans, Kidney beans,
being but in different ways.Lintels, Navy beans
Taking an adequate amount of dietary fiber will help•Breads: Bran muffins, Crisp rye bread
you in many ways:•Pasta/Rice: Wheat spaghetti
•Inadequate fiber in our diet may cause hard•Vegetables: Cooked split peas, Red kidney
and difficult to pass stools, leading to training. Thisbeans, corn
can lead to other serious problems.•Fruits: Apple with skin, Raspberries,
•Insoluble fiber increases the weight, size andStrawberries, Prunes, Pear, Figs
softens the stool which can prevent and treatIt has been recommended that men over fifty
divertricular disease (weakening of the walls of theconsume at least thirty grams and women over fifty
colon).consume at least 21 gram of fiber a day.
•May aid with problems such as hemorrhoids,As you increase the fiber in your diet, be sure to
irritable bowel syndrome and the development ofconsume plenty of liquids, preferably six to eight
small pouches in your colon as detected in aglasses a day.
colonoscopy examination.By providing adequate dietary fiber into your daily
•Can contribute to the lowering of cholesterolmeals, you will be making a significant contribution to
levels.living a longer and healthy life.