Thanks to the popularity of fast food restaurants and other convenience food places it is no secret that the Standard American Diet (S.A.D) is severely lacking in fiber. If apples, brown rice, garbanzo beans, flax seeds and broccoli aren’t on the menu then dietary fiber consumption may be taking a back to seat to saturated fat and processed sugar. According to health expert Brenda Watson, CNC, fiber plays an important role in increasing a feeling of fullness, promoting regularity and balancing blood sugar levels.
Dietary fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds & legumes. If the diet is lacking in any of these areas then it may be hard to obtain the FDA Recommended Daily Amount of 25 grams of fiber per day. According to Phyllis Balch C.N.C in Prescription for Nutritional Healing, dietary fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant to the body’s digestive enzymes which results in only a small amount of fiber getting digested. Instead, most of the fiber moves through the GI tract and is eliminated by the body. Even though fiber is not digested like carbohydrates, fats and proteins are, it still helps the body perform many functions. According to Brenda Watson C.N.C in The Fiber35 Diet, soluble fiber can help slow the absorption of sugar and may help regulate blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber helps to move bulk through the intestines promoting regular bowel movements and helping to improve overall digestive function.
An on-the-go lifestyle can make it difficult to consume adequate amounts of fiber at every meal. Ideally, fiber should be obtained through the diet, but consuming a fiber supplement could help obtain the FDA’s recommended daily amount of fiber. At The Mustard Seed Natural & Organic Food Store we sell a large variety of fiber-rich whole foods. We also sell top fiber supplements from Renew Life, Natural Factors and Nutrition Now.
Instead of snacking on potato chips, try this easy, fiber-rich recipe using garbanzo beans!
Ingredients:
1 can of garbanzo beans (drained & rinsed)
Balsamic Vinegar
Sea Salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put the garbanzo beans in a bowl and toss with balsamic vinegar. Drain the remaining balsamic vinegar and spread the chickpeas on a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle a small amount of sea salt over the chickpeas. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until crispy. Cool for 15 minutes and enjoy!
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Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
The Fiber35 Diet by Brenda Watson, CNC
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is intended as, or should be construed as, medical advice. This article is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. The products mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
