Home
>
Nutrition
>
Focus On Fiber: How Much Is Enough?

Focus On Fiber: How Much Is Enough?

Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality and improve your overall well-being? Try eating more fiber!

The average American only gets about half the amount of fiber they need everyday for their body to function optimally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fiber helps lower cholesterol and is important for the health of our digestive system. Both the AHA and the National Cancer Institute recommend that we consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily.

Dietary fiber is a transparent solid complex carbohydrate that is the main part of the cell walls of plants. It has two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber may help lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Insoluble fiber provides the bulk needed for proper functioning of the stomach and intestines. It promotes healthy intestinal action and prevents constipation by moving bodily waste through the digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don't have as much contact with the intestinal walls.

Unfortunately, many people are not eating this much fiber, which is causing serious cardio-vascular health concerns. Recently the AHA and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) confirmed that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more people than any other disease. It causes heart attack and angina (chest pain). A blood clot that goes to the heart is considered a heart attack, but if it goes to the brain it is a stroke. The AHA ranks stoke as the third most fatal disease in America, causing paralysis and brain damage.

Eating a high-fiber diet can significantly lower our risk of heart attack, stroke and colon cancer. A 19-year follow-up study reported in the November 2001 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that increasing bean and legume intakes may be an important part of a dietary approach to preventing coronary heart disease. Beans and legumes are high in protein and soluble fiber. Another study reported in the January 2002 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology also suggests that increasing our consumption of fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, can significantly lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, results from recent studies at the American Institute of Cancer Research indicate high-fiber protein-rich soy foods, such as textured soy protein (also known as TVP) and tempeh, help in preventing and treating colon cancer.

Whole beans, soybeans and other legumes are excellent sources of fiber. A 1 cup serving of cooked navy beans contains about 19 grams of fiber! Always read the Nutrition Facts label to find out the amount of, and the type of, fiber contained in any particular food. To help you achieve your daily allotment of fiber, here is a list of various foods with their fiber content.

Examples of Dietary Fiber:

1 cup cooked dry beans (navy, pinto, red, pink, black, garbanzo, etc.) = 9-19 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked lima beans = 13 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked peas = 9 grams of fiber
1 cup raisin bran cereal = 8 grams of fiber
1 cup canned pumpkin = 7 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked spinach = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup whole wheat flour = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup soy tempeh = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup soy flour = 6 grams of fiber
1/2 cup edamame (whole green soybeans) = 5 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked broccoli = 5 grams of fiber
6 Brussels sprouts = 5 grams of fiber
1 baked sweet potato = 5 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked brown rice = 4 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked old fashioned rolled oats = 4 grams of fiber
1 medium apple = 4 grams of fiber
1 medium orange = 4 grams of fiber
1 cup carrot strips = 4 grams of fiber
1/2 cup raspberries or blackberries = 4 grams of fiber
1 medium banana = 3 grams of fiber
5 dried plums (prunes) = 3 grams of fiber
1 ounce of nuts (almonds, peanuts, pistachios) = 3 grams of fiber
1 baked potato (russet) = 3 grams of fiber
1/4 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds = 3 grams of fiber
1 medium mango = 3 grams of fiber
1 medium tomato = 2 grams of fiber
1 cup pineapple juice = 2 grams of fiber
1/2 cup blueberries = 2 grams of fiber
1 cup romaine lettuce = 1.5 grams of fiber
1/2 cup tofu = 1 gram of fiber

Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Personal Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach; Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor; Recipe Developer, Freelance Writer and Author. Go to http://www.moniquengilbert.com to learn more about Monique's coaching.

References:

** "Legume consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women: NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study." Bazzano, L. A., He, J., Ogden, L. G., Loria, C., Vupputuri, S., Myers, L., Whelton, P. K., Archives of Internal Medicine 2001 Nov 26;161(21):2573-2578.

** "A prospective study of dietary fiber intake and risk of cardiovascular disease among women." Liu, S., Buring, J. E., Sesso, H. D., Rimm, E. B., Willett, W. C., Manson, J. E., Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2002 Jan 2;39(1):49-56.

** "Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook" by Monique N. Gilbert, Universal Publishers, 2001, pp. 11, 18, 24.

Author Bio
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. has offered guidance in natural health, nutrition, fitness, weight and stress management since 1989. She has received international recognition for helping people improve their well-being, vitality and longevity. Her personal coaching provides the motivation, guidance and support you need to naturally get healthy and fit, lose weight and keep it off, reduce stress and anxiety, strengthen your immune system, increase your energy levels, lower your cholesterol, improve your sleep, and achieve your goals. For more information about Monique's coaching, visit http://www.moniquengilbert.com

tidy up service Glenview ..

In The News:

New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.

FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.