What Is Fiber?

What is fiber?
Fiber is the indigestible part of a carbohydrate. It is made up of the tough cell walls of plants that your body is unable to break down. Fiber is found in all plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. Dietary fiber is a crucial part of a healthy diet, and is the secret to losing weight without hunger!

What is the difference between insoluble and soluble fiber?
Dietary fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Although you should get both soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet every day, there is no need to fixate on one type or the other. Because most whole plant foods contain both types of fiber, just increasing your intake of foods high in total fiber will provide you with beneficial amounts of both.

Soluble fiber swells in your stomach, providing bulk and giving you a feeling of fullness. Good sources of soluble fiber include dried beans and legumes, oatmeal, oat bran, barley and citrus fruits. Soluble fiber also has cholesterol-lowering properties because it acts like a sponge, absorbing cholesterol and pulling it out of your body.

Insoluble fiber, usually referred to as roughage, includes the woody or structural parts of plans, such as broccoli, apples, wheat bran and whole grain cereals. Insoluble fiber tends to speed up the passage of material through the digestive tract and help reduce the risk of colon cancer and diverticular disease. It is often referred to as "nature's broom."