Fiber helps our digestive systems stay regular and can aid in controlling our appetites, but how do we know if we’re eating enough of it? Medical experts say a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and whole grains is the key to getting enough fiber. Chances are, if you’re eating mostly meat and processed carbohydrates, you need to add some roughage and variety to your plate.
According to the National Cancer Institute and the American Heart Association, we should be consuming 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day — including about 6 to 10 grams of soluble fiber. It’s important to have a mix of both soluble and insoluble fibers in our diet to aid in digestion. Learn more about fiber in your diet and why you need it.
Karen Handy, director for adult weight management programs at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, says adding fiber to your diet is not a complicated task.
“With a little thought and planning, there are some fairly simple ways to add additional fiber to your diet. It’s easier than you may think,” Handy says.