Fiber, Fiber, Fiber

I remember when I first learned about fiber in class and afterword reading a large textbook. I thought about how even the bland academic reading made it feel like one of those infomercials trying to sell me the latest greatest thingamajig. Fiber sounded like the cure all. What makes this funny is that fiber isn’t technically a nutrient. Nutrients, like vitamins or minerals, are directly used by the body to make important chemicals and molecules that we need to function. Fiber on the other hand isn’t actually digested. It just slowly passes through your digestive system. It’s what it does on its way out that counts. Fiber first off likes to absorb things. It helps fill you up faster. Fiber also absorbs digestive juices that your body normally recycles, forcing it to use cholesterol to make more, effectively lowering your cholesterol levels. It also adds bulk to ones business making trips to the bathrooms err… um… easier. Fiber has also been linked to better colon (the home stretch of your digestive system) health. Now unlike an infomercial product presentation, I’ll tell you that there is a downside to fiber. When you first start to get more in your diet, the normal bacteria in your gut digests some of it releasing gases. Luckily this is only a temporary problem and your body will adjust. Don’t worry if you bother any roommates about it just tell them you’re getting more fiber in your diet.

You can find sources of fiber in fruits, vegetables, beans, hummus, and whole grains, like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and shredded wheat. A cup of cooked oatmeal will give you 4 grams of fiber however a cup of beans can give you as much as 15 grams of fiber. Men should aim to get 38 grams per day and women should aim for 25 grams. Also, as a side benefit, I can’t think of any foods that contain fiber that are bad for you. If you decide to go the fiber route, know that you will probably be eating healthier foods as a result.