Are You Getting Enough Fiber?

by Jari Love

Fiber helps you feel full longer. Fiber also helps bind to and eliminates toxins from your system. Getting enough fiber in your diet is essential to maintaining a healthy weight, regulating your body’s systems, boosting your immune system and contributing to your overall health. Yet, many of us do not get enough fiber in our diets. Fiber is only found in plant-based foods, so start snacking on those veggies, fruits and whole grains!

Check Your Fiber Score

How much fiber do you eat each day? Grab a pen and paper and tally it up:

• Beans, one half cup (7)
• Vegetables, one cup (4)
• Salad, one cup (2)
• Fruit, one piece (3)
• Fruit juice, one cup (1)
• White bread (1)
• Whole grain bread (2)
• White rice, one cup (1)
• Brown rice, one cup (3)
• Intact Oatmeal, one cup (4)
• Meat, poultry or fish (0)
• Eggs or dairy (0)
• Sodas or water (0)

If you scored less than 20: You need more fiber in your diet. Boosting your fiber will control your appetite and cut your risk for many other health problems.

If you scored 20-39: You consume more fiber than most people, but adding more fiber to your diet will continue to make foods more satisfying and cut your calorie intake.

If you scored 40 or more: Congratulations, you are getting plenty of healthy fiber in your diet! An added bonus for you is a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and digestive problems.

Jari Love – original creator of Get RIPPED! DVD series and group exercise classes. The hot-selling and critically acclaimed Get RIPPED! series enables individuals of any fitness level to burn up to three times more calories than the traditional weight-training program, and has received rave reviews from fitness critics throughout North America since the first title debuted in late 2005.