What is Fiber?

Thank you for visiting our page on foods with fiber in them where we also provide a simple but effective explanation as to what fiber is. Fiber is a key part of our diet and many people do not get enough of this day in day out and this can cause a number of problems for the body. In addition to this page that has information on foods that contain fiber we also have a high fiber foods list page and fiber rich foods list page that are also crammed with useful information.

What is fiber?

We are going to start off by answering the main question here and that is 'what is fiber?'. Fiber is a substance that derives from plants only, this means that it is totally natural and it is beneficial to the human body in many ways. It is essential in helping plants to maintain their shape as it is essentially the cell walls of plants and thus has a role in it's skeletal features.

There are two different types of fiber and these have been briefly described below:

Insoluble fiber - Insoluble fiber is primarily comprised of the cell walls of a plant and it is not possible for it to be dissolved when placed in water.
Key benefit - It provides laxative effect.
Soluble fiber - Soluble fiber is comprised of polysaccharides which are carbohydrates that contain three plus molecules of simple carbohydrates, it can also be dissolved in water.
Key benefit - Soluble fiber can lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels.

Fiber is a form of carbohydrate and from when it enters the human body to the time it leaves it remains the same, as unlike other vitamins and minerals it is not broken down and used by the body. We will explain the benefits of fiber in the next section.

We hope that this explanation has been useful to you in finding out what fiber is.

Why do we need food with fiber in? Fiber benefits

Although many people are aware that fiber is an important part of the diet, this is not to say that they actually get enough of it and nor does it mean that they actually know where to get it from and exactly why it is that fiber is required. Here are some key fiber benefits that explain just why we need foods with fiber in.

The main benefit of fiber, so eating foods with fiber in, is that it has a positive effect on the body's digestive system all the way through. Other fiber benefits are as follows:

Fiber slows down the digestion process and ensures that sugar enters the bloodstream at a reduced and more beneficial rate because this helps to maintain an even level of blood sugar.
When it reaches the colon fiber is broken down by bacteria and the organic acids that are produced from this aid nourishment of the colon's lining.
The acids produced in the colon go on to help other parts of the body such as the liver and also play a key role in the metabolism.
Fiber ensures that food must be chewed so therefore this slows the process of eating down and prevents people gaining weight from over eating. While it slows the eating process down it also causes you to feel full.
Fiber is known to relieve both constipation and hemorrhoids
Due to it's bloating effect diet can prevent over-eating and help to maintain a healthy weight
Consuming a sufficient amount of fiber can help prevent the following medical conditions: Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, gallstones and kidney stones

If you are a male then you should be consuming 30-40 grams of fiber each and every day and if you are a female you should consuming 20-25 grams of fiber a day. On our high fiber foods list and fiber rich foods list pages we tell you exactly what foods have a high volume of fiber in and exactly how many grams are found in each food by quantity.

The average American does not get this amount so if you are concerned that you do not consume enough fiber then why not check the labels of all of the foods that you eat in a day and count up your total? This can then help you decide the action that you need to take in order to get more food with fiber in your diet.

What are the foods with fiber in?

Here we are going to provide you with a list of the type of foods with fiber in. Next to each type of fiber food we have highlighted the page on this site where you will be able to find a wide range of examples and the amount of fiber that are found in the foods, this is really all you need to know if you are trying to ensure that you get enough fiber in your diet.

Fruit - - Covered on our high fiber foods list page
Vegetables - Covered on our high fiber foods list page
Whole grains - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page
Seeds - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page
Legumes - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page
Beans - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page
Pasta - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page
Nuts - Covered on our fiber rich foods list page

It is key to remember that when you are eating foods with fiber in that you are also drinking plenty of liquids too. The benefits that fiber has on the body are obtained during it's transit so the more water that you drink to help wash it down and through the body the more effective it will be.

We trust that this page has been able to inform you as to what fiber is and also provide a brief outline of the types of food with fiber in them. There is much more to this site than just foods that contain fiber as we provide a wealth of information on all of the vitamins and minerals that you will find in food.