Fiber

Fiber, long known for aiding elimination, has come forward as a sort of tour de force of good health. The latest studies credit fiber with a host of good things for our body. Now we know it can help prevent certain types of cancer such as colon and stomach cancer. Due to fiber's help in speeding digested food through the body, there's less chance of harmful toxins hanging around in the body. The latest discovery, surprisingly, is that people who eat more fiber are less likely to become overweight. It satisfies the appetite because of its capacity to make you "feel full." So instead of stocking up on those empty calories in processed foods and chips, snack instead on fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and oats and low fat nuts and seeds. Be sure to drink plenty of water with your fiber!  Make fiber a main part of your meals. But if you are unaccustomed to eating lots of fiber, start with small portions and gradually add fiber to your daily diet. Dietitians recommend 20 grams of fiber per day but the average American consumes only an average of 10.