How To Get More Fiber Into Your Diet

Everyone knows how important it is to eat a lot of fiber. A diet high in fiber has profound health benefits. Experts have found that eating a high fiber diet has been shown to lower blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol. It's also a great way to lose weight. Fiber helps you feel full. If you are looking to lose weight, then choosing foods that are high in fiber will help you feel satisfied without ingesting too many calories.

The difficulty most people have is figuring out how to get fiber into their diet. Many foods that are high in fiber are not the most appetizing. However, if you are a little bit creative, you can easily find ways to get fiber into your diet.

Oat Bran Muffins

Rather than eat a bagel or blueberry muffin for breakfast, opt for an oat bran muffin. Bran is one of the best sources of fiber.  Bran is the outer shell of grain. An added benefit to eating an oat bran muffin is that it is packed full of B-vitamins. It's the perfect muffin for breakfast because it will give you energy for the day and is not loaded with sugar like a doughnut.

Steamed Broccoli As A Side Dish

Broccoli is a fantastic vegetable. It is loaded with fiber, as well as cancer fighting compounds. If you find the taste of raw broccoli too powerful, then you should steam it. Steamed broccoli can be added to rice, pasta, or used as a side for chicken or steak.

If you want to be extra healthy, you can dress the broccoli with olive oil and lemon juice, instead of with butter or cheese.

Blackberries and Raspberries

Many people are surprised that berries have so much fiber. Blackberries and raspberries have around 4 grams of fiber per serving. They are also healthy for you because they are loaded with anti-oxidants. You can add berries to your morning cereal or oatmeal, or add them to a fruit salad.

Beans

Beans are loaded with fiber. They are one of the foods highest in fiber per serving. If you're looking to eat beans, then consider making a chili using beans in lieu of meat. This turns a regular chili into a heart-healthy meal. For a chili, you should use either black beans or pinto beans. These two have around 19 grams of fiber per serving.

Get Your Fiber In A Pill

The fastest way to get fiber into your diet is to take a pill containing psyllium husk. This is a material that is derived from the seeds of a common Indian plant. The husks are high in fiber. They are ground up into a fine powder and put into a capsule. You take them with a glass of water, though there are some people who bake with the powder because it is gluten-free.

If you are choosing a psyllium fiber pill, make sure and choose an organic fiber supplement. These pills will be made from psyllium plants that were not treated with harsh pesticides or chemicals.