For the love of Fiber!

Being that we discussed the benefits of our complex carbohydrates, abundance of nutrients including our filling fiber, provided by the Sweet Potato, I am glad to share this new research I have stumbled across.

I am sure that you have heard lots in the news, magazines and through word of mouth that fiber is good stuff. Healthy, important in a healthy lifestyle and can reap some great benefits. Well, it has been known that fiber is good for lowering cholesterol. It's bulking-agent qualities and ability to cleanse the colon has been the "ah-ha moment" of good health. While cholesterol builds in the arteries making it hard for the blood to flow to the heart, the fiber can come in and help clear the cholesterol making way for good blood circulation and in turn lowering one's risk of a heart attack. Sounds like a little wonder, that fiber.

Now research is being done on the affect that fiber has on cardiovascular health...so for the love of fiber- read about it now in USA today!

How do you know if your getting enough fiber in your diet?
The current recommendations for fiber are based on gender; up to 38 grams of fiber per day for Men and up to 25 grams of fiber per day for Women.


What foods contain fiber?
- Fruit (berries, apple/pear with the skin, bananas, prunes, raisins)
- Whole grains (whole wheat breads/pastas, bran, barley, oatmeal, popcorn, brown rice and oat bran)
- Legumes, nuts & seeds (split peas, lentils, sunflower seeds, almonds)
- Vegetables (potatoes with skin, raw vegetables)

For exact an exact count of fiber grams and high fiber foods see The Mayo Clinic's Suggestions.