Fiber pills

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Fiber is an essential ingredient that our body needs to survive and stay healthy. Fiber helps give us a full feeling and helps our food pass through our digestive tract smoothly. Having enough fiber in your diet can help you manage your weight, avoid constipation, lower your cholesterol, help with irritable bowel syndrome and improve your overall health.

Although there are plenty high-fiber foods that can be eaten, sometimes a person tries to find a quicker and easier way to get enough fiber without having to consume extra calories. In these cases, a fiber pill may be considered. Fiber pills can offer a person extra fiber if they are unable to eat a healthy balanced meal. However, eating a fiber rich diet is a much better healthier way to meet you daily fiber requirements.

Fiber can come in all types of supplements. It can come in pills, capsules and powder. Some contain only soluble fiber whereas others may contain both soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is the type of fiber that dissolves in the intestines. It forms a substance in the intestine that is similar to roughage and it slows the body’s absorption of sugars and fats. Insoluble fiber is not digestible by the body. Its main purpose is to push waste through the intestine quicker. If a supplemental form of fiber is taken, it is important to drink plenty of water along with the pill or powder. By not drinking a full glass of water, you could cause the fiber to harden inside the digestive tract and cause a bowel obstruction.

It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before starting any fiber supplement routine. Fiber may interfere with some types of medication. If you are taking any type of prescription drugs it may be necessary to take your medication 2-3 hours prior to taking the fiber supplement in order to allow the medication to absorb into the bloodstream.

Fiber pills and other forms of the supplement should never be used in place of eating fibrous foods. Fiber pills do not contain the necessary ingredients that you need to thrive and live a healthy life. There is no substitute for eating the right foods. A fiber supplement should be just that, a supplement and not the main staple of fiber in your diet.

If you are unsure how to get enough fiber without taking a fiber pill, then here are some foods that you can eat that will get you back on the right track. Cereal containing bran, whole-wheat and whole-grains such as breads, pastas, barley, brown rice, popcorn, and oatmeal are all great sources of fiber. Fruits and vegetables are also full of fiber and are extremely good for you as well. Try eating fruits like apricots, prunes, raisins, dates, berries, oranges, kiwi, pears, mango or apples. The skin on the apples is the fibrous part, so do not peel your apple! Some veggies that you can eat include dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, peas, swiss chard, and spinach. Other wonderful vegetables and a great source of protein are beans, chick peas and lentils. You may also snack on foods such as nuts or seeds to get a few grams of fiber as well. Flaxseed is very healthy and also a great source of fiber. Try mixing it in cereal and salads for added benefits.

As you can see there is a wonderful selection of foods you can include in your diet to prevent you from needing fiber pills. The goal is to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day. By eating just a few of these foods a day, you will be able to consume enough fiber without needing to supplement with other over-the-counter forms.

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