Eating foods rich in dietary fiber is a heart-healthy way to improve your life. Fiber aids in digestion and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. So, what is the best way to add more fiber to your diet? It is easier than you might think! Here are a few ideas to get started.
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Try to eat more raw vegetables and fruit and include the skins if possible. Boiling them causes them to lose up to one-half of the available fiber. Some fiber-rich fruits and vegetables include apples, berries, oranges, pears, prunes, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and carrots. Get creative and see how many ways you can enjoy these nutritious picks.
Replace bleached grains with whole wheat.
Here’s an easy swap: replacing white bread and pasta with their whole-grain or wheat varieties. Choose whole-grain bread over white bread and eat brown rice instead of white rice. Also, look for whole-grain pasta, which will add a boost of fiber to any Italian dish.
Start your day with fiber.
Begin every morning with a fiber-rich meal, and you won’t have to concern yourself as much with hitting your fiber intake goal. Oatmeal and multi-grain cereals are also great ways to add fiber. Jazz these breakfast picks up with fruit, cinnamon, or nuts.
Skyline at Kessler Apartments in Dallas, Texas