How Fiber Burns Calories

When losing my weight, I focused a lot on common sense and things that naturally made sense to me. I picked up some tips and tricks along the way, but since starting this blog, I've been learning a lot more than I ever have about getting and staying in shape! My main purpose for this blog is to sort through all the crazy ideas out there, find the ones that work for me, then post them here. In changing my eating habits, I began to eat a lot of fiber rich foods, but I never really knew the main benefits of fiber. This article does a good job of explaining the importance of fiber as it pertains to weight loss and how it will aid tremendously in obtaining and maintaining optimum health.

Fight Fat with Fiber
By Chris Chenoweth

Fiber is one of the most effective natural tools for losing weight. Following a high-fiber eating plan can be a very successful way of avoiding the diet roller coaster for good. You do not have to eliminate any foods from your diet. You simply add foods that are fiber-rich or make substitutions (whole wheat bread instead of white bread).

Following a high-fiber diet will force your body to lose weight, make it easy to keep it off, and give you more energy. Cutting back on fat and increasing fiber content decreases the risk for many diseases including heart disease, high cholesterol and some types of cancer.

What is the secret of fiber? Fiber acts like a sponge in the body’s digestive tract, absorbing substances containing sugars, fats, carbohydrates, and the calories associated with them. This prevents those calories from staying in your body and adding fat to it.

Fiber also adds bulk to foods, causing your body to feel full sooner and longer. This results in eating less throughout the day; eating less results in losing weight.

Another plus for eating fiber is the increase in energy you will experience. Like protein, fiber also slows down the digestion process in your body, guaranteeing a perfectly balanced energy level throughout the day.

HOW TO INCREASE FIBER

*AVOID SUGAR. There is no fiber in sugar or sugar-laden foods.

*EAT WHOLE GRAINS. Avoid white bread and white rice as they have had the fiber processed out of them. Use only food made with whole grains such as whole grain breads, cereals, wheat germ, barley and brown rice. Always check food labels.

*EAT WHOLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Avoid fruit juices (except fresh fruit juices made in a juicer), as they can be high in sugar content. The skins are the richest source of fiber.

*EAT BEANS. Most varieties of beans are a rich source of fiber, especially kidney beans and garbanzo beans.

*DRINK SMOOTHIES. Throw a bunch of fresh fruit, yogurt, and ground flaxseed in the blender for a tasty, high fiber treat.

*REDUCE MEAT AND DAIRY. If you eat too much meat and dairy products you will not get enough fiber in your diet. You either need to reduce the amounts you eat or increase the amount of fiber you eat.

*DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You must drink plenty of water throughout the day to help push the fiber through your body. Water also eliminates toxins and speeds up the metabolism. Drink at least 8 glasses a day.

BEST FIBER SOURCES

*All-Bran cereal and other high fiber cereals

*Psyllium husks

*Flax meal

*Kidney, garbanzo, and navy beans

*Apple with skin

*Dried figs

*Prunes

*Barley

*Corn

*Whole grain spaghetti

*Banana

*Blueberries

*Sweet potato

*Broccoli

Getting enough fiber in your diet is one of the most important things you can do for your body and your health. Eating fresh fruit, vegetables and grains, along with drinking plenty of water, will ensure that you get enough fiber in your diet. Make sure you reduce your intake of white foods, including sugar, processed foods, and dairy products.

Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business.

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