Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Filling Up with FIBER

Partner content: Filling Up with FIBER

One of the most underappreciated parts of some of the foods we eat is fiber. Fiber can:

• Make us feel more full and satisfied.

• Help with digestion and gut health.

• Reduce "bad" cholesterol 

Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. There is no fiber in fat, meat, chicken, seafood, milk, dairy, or eggs - unless it has been specifically added.

It's recommended that you try and get at least 25 grams of fiber per day.

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Easy tips to increase your fiber:

• If you eat cereal, make sure your cereal has at least 3 grams of fiber. Consider switching to a higher fiber cereal or mixing in a small amount of higher fiber cereal with your favorite cereal. Sprinkle cereal with ground flax seeds or bran. Make overnight oats and include chia seeds.

• Load up sandwiches with extra vegetables. Sprouts, tomatoes, avocado, onion, lettuce and use a whole wheat or whole grain bread.

• Start your meal with a small salad or some crunch raw vegetables like mini carrots, cucumber or celery slices, grape/cherry tomatoes or snap peas and a dip.

• Top salads with black beans or chickpeas.

• Have a piece of fruit as a snack.

Resources:

(Chart with sources of fiber and amounts) — www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-sources-fiber

(How to spot fiber on food labels) — www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/interactivenutritionfactslabel/dietary-fiber.cfm

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

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