Fiber rich foods

Fiber rich foods

Many women have problems with constipation during their pregnancies. If they talk to a doctor about that problem, he or she will usually tell them to include more foods that are rich in fiber into their diets. However, there are people who do not like to eat vegetables so they usually look for other options.

What exactly is fiber?

Word fiber comes from Latin word fibra which means thread, string, filament or entrails. British write it fibre so people need not get confused if they see it spelled like that. According to some medical dictionaries, fiber is a nutrient that does not get digested by the gastrointestinal enzymes. This means that people need fiber in their diet in order for the digestive system to function properly.

Why do people need fiber?

Nowadays, there are not so many women that do not know the importance of fiber consumption during pregnancy. Fiber helps with the regularity of bowel movement. Women who intake enough fiber and fluids have a much better digestive system. Enough fiber intake means that there is almost no chance of constipation, which occurs almost regularly during pregnancy. Even colon or rectal cancer may be prevented with the proper intake of fiber rich foods. Apart from these benefits, it is also said that proper consumption of fiber lessens the chance of people ending up with some sort of a heart disease, diabetes or high blood sugar levels. Cholesterol levels are also kept within normal limits with the right amount of fiber in the system.Parents need to know the importance of fiber and make sure that their children eat the right amount of fiber. Some studies have shown that an average American intakes only 11 grams of fiber during a day. Experts agree that the right amount of fiber that should be eaten during a day is between 20 and 30 grams.

What foods are rich in fiber?

It is common knowledge that fruits, vegetables and grains are the best sources of fiber. Some juices and beverages have fiber in them and they also help with the digestive system. “Nectar Juice” is probably the most recommended juice out there. When it comes to bread and cereals, lots of doctors recommend whole grain and wheat bread. Bran cereals, oatmeal, pasta and brown rice are also rich in fiber. Fruits like prune and papaya are known to have a lot of fiber in them. Green leafy vegetables like lettuce and cabbage are excellent sources of fiber. Apart from these, broccoli, spinach, peas, lima beans, asparagus, carrots and artichokes also contain a lot of fiber.