I learned at an early age that eating apples everyday had an added benefit aside from tasting great. Little did I know that it was a beneficial source of fiber. Today I understand more clearly in that we NEED fiber in our daily diet for optimal health. There are three types of fiber:
- Soluble
- Insoluble
- Resistant
Soluble fiber is fiber that can be dissolved in water. Some of the benefits from eating soluble fiber are:
- Feeds the healthy bacteria of our digestive tract and strengthens the immune system.
- Been shown to reduce cholesterol and heart disease
- Lowers the risk of cancer.
Sources of soluble fiber are:
- Lentils,
- Garbanzo beans,
- Blackberries,
- Flax seed,
- Gluten free rolled oats.
Insoluble fiber is fiber that helps intestinal track stay regular and stabilizes blood sugar.
Sources of insoluble fiber are:
- Brown rice,
- Quinoa,
- Barley,
- Cabbage,
- Carrots,
- Buckwheat,
- Almonds,
- Broccoli,
- Potatoes with skins.
Resistant fiber is a digestable starch that feeds good bacteria. This fiber creates little or no insulin response. It actually produces less response than poultry or eggs.
Sources of resistant fiber:
- Boiled potatoes,
- cannellini beans,
- navy beans,
- great northern beans,
- unripe bananas.
Remember to include drinking plenty of clean fresh water.
Enjoy this great day!
