Do you need more fibre in your diet? If the statistics are anything to go by, then you probably do. Nutritionists can’t seem to shut up about the importance of fibre, yet most of us don’t get enough. But what is fibre, anyway? What makes it so important, and how do you get more into your diet? Fibre is a structural component of plants and is found in vegetables, whole grains and other plant-based food. Although we don’t digest fibre, it is still very important for digestion and overall gut health. It keeps waste (poop) flowing and makes you feel full. The latter is particularly crucial; lack of fibre has been linked to
weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. To get enough fibre, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit each day and 2-3 cups of veggies. But again,
research suggests that most of us fall well short of that target. So how do you close the fibre gap in your diet?
Cut out juice and drink smoothies instead
Fibre is at the centre of a steadily growing
juice backlash. Detractors claim that while juice has the vitamins of fruit, it contains none of the fibre, leaving you with mostly sugar. The lack of fibre (plus not having to chew) means you have to drink more to feel satisfied. So if a glass of OJ is a staple of your morning routine, try replacing it with whole fruit instead. And if you have to drink something sweet, blend whole fruit into a
delicious smoothie.
Pack a veggie snack
If you are the sort of person that likes to sip/chew somet
Read more »While the concept of eating clean might be appealing, the hassle of creating a healthy meal from scratch might turn some away. When it comes to creating a clean and green meal, salads are your best friend. Easy, quick and chock full of goodness, a good hearty salad is a fuss-free way of getting your daily nutrients while keeping you satiated. To get you started, here are a few refreshing salad recipes that you can toss-up in a jiffy, and give you the wholesome meal you’ve been dreaming of.
Read more »Do you need more fibre in your diet? If the statistics are anything to go by, then you probably do. Nutritionists can’t seem to shut up about the importance of fibre, yet most of us don’t get enough. But what is fibre, anyway? What makes it so important, and how do you get more into your diet? Fibre is a structural component of plants and is found in vegetables, whole grains and other plant-based food. Although we don’t digest fibre, it is still very important for digestion and overall gut health. It keeps waste (poop) flowing and makes you feel full. The latter is particularly crucial; lack of fibre has been linked to weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. To get enough fibre, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit each day and 2-3 cups of veggies. But again, research suggests that most of us fall well short of that target. So how do you close the fibre gap in your diet?