Being fit is the new sexy. The days of worshipping stick-like celebrity figures are slowly becoming passé, with agencies going for the “healthy” look. With the power of mass media today, more and more movers and shakers in various industries like modeling and the movies are looking for icons who will be good examples to their target market. The redefinition of sexy is now in place.
The secret to being fit and enjoying a healthy lifestyle can now be achieved with the help of essential nutrients that your body needs, just like the benefits one gets from fiber.
Fiber is the indigestible part of a carbohydrate. It cannot be broken down which means that it adds zero calories to your daily diet. As an added benefit, fiber, when ingested in the body, acts as a sponge that absorbs carbohydrates, fats, sugar, and other calories, and flushes it out from your digestive system. As a bonus, fiber also acts as bulk which gives the stomach a full feeling making you lower your intake of food. As a positive side effect, since fiber acts as a detoxifying agent to the body, it improves one’s energy to face day-to-day activities, give clearer skin, and shinier hair. It also minimizes the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
With these brilliant effects, fiber has easily become the latest in thing to dieters. Plus, increasing your fiber in your everyday diet is as easy as eating healthy foods on a daily basis.
The great thing about going for a fiber diet is that it is a healthy yet tasty option. To get the healthy dose of fiber in your daily diet, add more fruits (which can include dried varieties), beans, berries, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Instead of picking up a big pack of processed junk food, replace it with fresh or dried fruits or nuts. Avoid indulging yourself with white bread and pasta, and go for wholegrain. Drinking fresh fruit juice rather than the processed juices or sugared “fruit drinks” is also a good source of fiber with fewer calories.
A fiber rich diet needs to also partner with 8-10 glasses of fluid intake per day. Fluids, especially water, will help in the digestion of the daily food intake and assist in achieving a healthier colon. However effective a fiber diet may be, if you have previously eaten a high proportion of processed foods, the introduction of fiber-rich foods should be done gradually lest you may experience bloating, cramping, diarrhea, or intestinal gas.
Fiber rich foods include: fruits like apples, cherries, oranges, pears with skin, tomatoes with skin, and bananas. Dried fruits like apricots, dates, figs, prunes, and raisins. Air popped popcorn is also a good source of fiber.
So go for it, embrace fiber as your means of becoming fit and fab – your body will thank you for it!
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