Fibre. What's the first thing that pops into your mind? We bet you thought of something brown (or maybe green) and very tough. Or perhaps something that required a lot of chewing. Well, we hate to break it to you and your outdated stereotypes, but… you’re a fibrist.
We're supposed to eat 25 grams of fibre a day if you're a woman, and 38 grams for men. Yet most of us only eat 15 grams a day, according to experts. No wonder we don't eat enough fibre. Who has time for all that chewing, digestion and, let's face it, the uncomfortable side effects? Yes, we're taking bloating, gas, and all that time in the washroom. There are things to do, adventures to experience!
You sad, sad, soul. How wrong you are.
Fibre is good for you because it keeps you and your body happy and healthy. Most people think fibre is just the hard-to-digest stuff, but fibre comes in two forms -- soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fibre can lower LDL (bad cholesterol), regulate your blood sugar, and lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Insoluble fibre (The one most of us associate when we hear the word 'fibre') keeps you regular, prevents constipation and reduces the risk of diverticular disease (things to do with your colon.)
So now that we've discussed why fibre is so important, how can you add more fibre into your diet without feeling like you're eating bricks of wood chips? Surprisingly, fibre is everywhere. You can't get away from it, and in fact, some of the things you love actually contain fibre!
We all know that green, leafy vegetables like broccoli contain lots of fibre (the insoluble kind) but did you know that some of your favourite foods do as well?
So, to test your fibrism, tell us: Do you like…
Recognizing Fibre Prejudice (Are You A Fibrist?)
Beans?
The musical fruit manages to pack a lot of fibre into a tiny space. Throw some into soups, make chili, or try them curried. Tip: the more you eat them, the less you suffer the unsightly (or smelly) side effects. Time to build up a (delicious) tolerance!
Apples?
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but while you're avoiding the long wait in the doctor's office you're also enjoying a good source of fibre. It might be time to take a day to pick a few bushels of apples. 'Tis the season (and there are a lot of apples).
Blueberries?
These little fruits are packed with antioxidants -- we all knew that -- but did you know that they are also a source of fibre? Mix a handful into your morning oatmeal or cereal for a sweet punch of tangy, fibre-laden goodness.
Carrots?
Just like blueberries, this food also pulls double duty. Eating carrots can help your eyesight, but adding these to a salad, soup, or even as a snack adds more fibre to your diet.
Tomatoes?
Speaking of salads, tomatoes are a match made in heaven with carrots -- so old school. But if you're not a salad person, why not have some bruschetta? Ripe, juicy tomatoes, some basil, and a little olive oil combine to take you to fibre heaven. Not that you'll notice, as you scarf down your creation.
Raisins?
You either love them or hate them, but if you love them, you'll be glad to know that the little box of raisins you add to your oatmeal kicks up your fibre consumption a notch. So much good in a small package!
So look upon your past prejudices; all the times you treated the very idea of fibre with disgust and revulsion. You’ll find that you’ve been eating great sources of fibre all along! The choice is yours, now: will you identify as a former fibrist and move towards self-improvement, or continue with your misinformed ways? We’ll be waiting; we’ve got a can of beans with your name on it.