High Fiber Diet

A physician may recommend a high fiber diet when a patient is suffering from a large intestine or colon disorder. A diet high in fiber will keep the colon functioning, as it normally should. The human body cannot digest fiber; therefore it quickly passes through, often acting as a cleanser for the insides of the body. Fiber helps the colon to function correctly by making sure that waste passes through the intestines. When waste passes through too slowly, a large amount of water is absorbed, resulting in constipation and hard stools. Fiber is responsible for easing the passage of waste from the body. 

A high fiber diet creates a large, soft stool that can pass through the bowel in a quick and less difficult manner. When this occurs, any problems with the digestive tract can be eased, avoided or terminated. Some of the issues that are positively affected include hemorrhoids, constipation, straining, as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diverticulosis. A high fiber diet is also suggested to treat conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, as well as colon cancer.

When following a high fiber diet, you should know the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber can be found in products containing rye, wheat, bran, as well as other grains. Most vegetables also contain insoluble fiber. This type of fiber does not dissolve within water. It also does not provide any food relief to bacteria found in the colon and intestines, which can cause intestinal gas. However, soluble fiber does dissolve in water, resulting in a gelatin-like substance within the bowel. This sort of fiber can be found in oat bran, oatmeal, fruit, as well as legumes. Soluble fiber serves as a way to eliminate harmful cholesterol throughout the body. Sometimes a decrease in cholesterol levels may occur ranging from a difference of 10-15%.

When you are interested in or instructed to begin a high fiber diet, you will have to increase the amount of foods that contain soluble and insoluble fiber. This can be achieved by adding more whole-grain foods like bran cereals and whole wheat breads to your diet. Eating fresh fruits with the skin and pulp is also a good way to increase fiber in the diet. Dried or stewed fruits, such as raisins, prunes and apricots should be introduced into the diet. Additional food items to consider include root vegetables, such as potatoes, turnips and carrots, as well as raw or fresh vegetables like cabbage. Keep in mind that lettuce actually contains a lower amount of fiber. 

One of the best ways to get your fill from a high fiber diet is to eat a bran cereal at the start of the day. Breakfast items to consider include: All-Bran, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran, Bran Buds, oat bran and oatmeal. If you are not used to bran in your system, you may want to start with small amounts because it can cause mild cramping and an embarrassing grumble of the stomach. While on a high fibre diet, you should also drink tons of liquids, such as water, fruit and vegetable juices. When you eat, you should chew your food slowly. This will aid digestion in the lower tract.

An example of a sample breakfast while on a high fibre diet includes:

2 slices of whole-wheat toast

2 tablespoons of jam or jelly

2 teaspoons of margarine

¾ cup of oatmeal

½ grapefruit

2 tablespoons of raisins

1 cup of skim milk´.

 Related Pages

Diabetic Diet

High Fiber Diet