Turmeric lattes, gluten-free bread, and alternative kinds of milk are all the rage among nutritional gurus, but what about the original superfoods? The FDA reports that even with so many Instagram influencers out there focused on nutritional wellness, only five percent of the U.S. population meets its daily fiber needs. The recommended daily intake of fiber sits between 25 and 29 grams, and incorporating it into your diet can help you prevent cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, diabetes, and generally make your life longer.
So how can you make sure you have a fiber-friendly diet? We have 6 easy steps to help you achieve that, and don’t worry, none of them involve prunes.
- Monitor your current fiber intake — knowing where you’re at is a good place to start, and food tracking apps such as MyFitnessPal make it easier than ever!
- Learn top fiber foods — for example, raspberries have almost 9 times as much fiber as grapes
- Switch up your snacks — reaching for some popcorn or a small bowl of oatmeal rather than a cookie will satisfy your afternoon hunger pangs and help you sneak in some extra fiber
- Try eating crispbreads — these delicious Scandinavian crackers are yummy and full of fiber
- Incorporate fiber-rich foods into the recipes you already cook — adding some beans, pears, or avocado to recipes you already make will make the transition seamless
- Be wary of foods with added fiber — added fiber is often done to mask high sugar or fat contents, so you’re better off sticking to unprocessed whole foods.
This story was one of the best from 2019, and we are happy to include it in our “12 Days of Optimism” as we get ready to welcome 2020!
