How Fiber-Rich Foods Can Help You Stay Fit and Healthy

Eating fiber-rich foods is important in keeping the body fit and healthy. What fiber does is that it sweeps away toxins, chemicals and even microorganisms that may cause diseases in the colon. When your system is free from all these dangerous materials, the body is able to burn more calories, absorb more nutrients from foods that you eat and reduce your risk of suffering from illnesses, thereby keeping you fit and healthy in the long run.
Fiber will also make you feel fuller longer, since it takes a long time for it to pass through the large intestine. You, therefore, reduce your need to eat in between meals, which will help you to meet your weight loss goals and follow your diet plan.
Most people overlook eating fiber-rich foods simply because these foods are often unappealing. In a Western diet, where protein-rich foods are the predominant part of every meal, the lack of fruits and vegetables at the dining table greatly reduces the amount of fiber that a person gets each day.
Therefore, you should try to add a fiber-rich food to every meal such as beans, leafy greens or mixed berries. You may find it hard to deviate from the usual foods that you eat each day, but in the long run, you and your family will be able to appreciate the value of adding fiber in your diet for better overall health. Here are some ways to sneak fiber in your daily meals:

1. Aside from serving plain oatmeal, add chopped apples, fresh blueberries or chopped bananas.
2. Instead of serving sweet desserts that only contains empty calories, serve fresh fruits in season. Cut these into cubes and place in small cups and freeze before serving.
3. Rather than just serving plain broth as soup, add chopped vegetables and beans to make the soup more flavorful and loaded with hearty fiber.
4. Always include fresh garden salad during dinner time. Select only the freshest green vegetables and toss with extra virgin olive oil.
5. Avoid commercially-prepared juice or artificial juice; drink freshly squeezed juice instead. You may also use a juicer so you can juice up the fruit or veggie's skin/rind.
6. Instead of sugary snacks and salty fast food snacks, eat a handful of nuts. Nuts are rich in fiber, are filling and very nutritious too.

By regularly adding fiber to your diet, you will certainly be able to become fitter and healthier in the long run.