TIP - Increase Your Fiber Intake, One Meal at a Time

By Gentle Heron

If you are in serious need of more fiber in your diet, it is important not to increase how much you eat all at once. Instead, try making a small change once a week, one meal at a time.

For breakfast, increase the fiber content of your cereal. Fiber-rich offerings contain at least 5 grams of fiber in a single serving. Read the nutrition label to check how much is in different brands and flavors of both hot and cold cereals.

Build your lunch sandwich on whole-grain bread. Read the nutrition labels of different breads to find those with at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. Beware of deceptive brand names like “multi-grain” or “enriched,” which may not indicate the bread is whole-grain.

Choose your supper carbs wisely. Cook brown rice instead of white and use whole-wheat pasta for an extra fiber boost.

Dietary fiber is important for your health in many ways. It reduces constipation by helping food waste move smoothly through the digestive tract. It stabilizes blood sugar and helps you maintain a lower blood pressure. Make simple food substitutions to increase the amount of fiber in your diet.