What is dietary fiber?
Dietary fiber, also known as roughage, includes all parts of plant foods that your
body can't absorb or digest.
Fiber can be broken down into two categories: Soluble and Insoluble.
Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber cannot be dissolved in water and therefore
must be expelled from the body. It is very beneficial to people who struggle with constipation or
irregular stools. It works by augmenting stool bulk which increases the movement of material through
your digestive tract. Insoluble fiber can be found in nuts, vegetables, wheat bran and
whole-wheat flour.
Soluble fiber. This type of fiber forms a gel-like substance when
dissolved in water. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
Soluble fiber is plentiful in citrus fruits, apples, beans, oats barley and psyllium.
A wide variety of high-fiber foods should be consumed to achieve the greatest health benefit as the amount
of fiber varies in different plant foods. One thing is for certain though; we should all strive to get more
fiber in our diets!