High Fiber or Low Fat...Which Diet is Best?

Melissa Montalto has made fiber a priority. And weight gain a thing of the past. "When I know I'm eating a high-fiber diet, and I'm getting all those whole foods, I can focus on that rather than calories, and it seems to keep me at a stable weight."

Melissa's on the right track. A high-fiber diet helps you lose more weight than you may think. In a study, those on a high-fiber diet were half as likely to become obese, according to nutrition researcher Megan McCrory. "Fiber doesn't contain any calories, yet it contains bulk, so when people consume fiber, they consume few calories. So, the trick is learning where the high fiber sources are and seeking them out."

The top sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, pasta and cereals. Experts say try to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Dr. McCrory says, "I think it's not hard once you know how to do it."

Some easy tips -- switch to whole grain breads . Add a handful of nuts to yogurt. Add beans to soups and salads . Also snack on fruits, vegetables, and maybe some popcorn. Melissa Montalto says, "I probably eat about the 30 grams recommended amount per day."

And that's kept her weight under control. Research also shows just twelve extra grams of fiber prevents you from gaining on average eight pounds over several years.
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High Fiber Health

Beyond Bread - The Essential High Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet contains foods that have a lot of fiber. Can it get any more basic than that? How about this one? Fiber has no calories. Are you getting the picture?

Fiberlady knows that changes can be hard at first, especially changes in your diet. She also knows that when you follow a high fiber diet as part of your daily routine, you may feel a wondrous change for the better.

There are no secrets...

Until there is more awareness, obesity will remain an unfortunate and major health issue in today's society. If people would change their food choices to include more high fiber foods and strictly limit the amount of processed foods they consume, the statistics might be reversed. Of course, sedentary lifestyles add to the problem and to the waistline.

There are no surprises...

People who eat high fiber foods weigh less than those that are not on a high fiber diet. High fiber foods keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time because they take longer to digest. You are much less likely to overeat. When you eat high fiber foods, they generally take more time to actually chew. Have you ever tried to eat a crunchy, chunky apple in a hurry?

Eating fiber-rich foods is great way to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. Fiberlady suggests making little changes everyday. If you can change your eating habits, you can change your life.

by Stephanie Shank a.k.a. Fiberlady
High Fiber Health