Dietary fibre is found in plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds and nuts. While your body can digest and absorb carbohydrate, protein and fat, it’s unable to break down fibre. This plant bulk pushes food through your system, cleaning out your digestive tract and keeping you regular. Studies show that fibre helps prevent colon cancer by adding bulk to your stools, moving them through your system quickly and reducing contact time with toxins and other potential carcinogens.
High-fibre foods take longer to digest, making you feel fuller for longer on fewer calories. This also means the sugar from your meals enters the bloodstream more slowly, so the rise in blood sugar levels is gradual and sustained, which leaves you feeling energised for longer.
Fibre also helps to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation.
Foods high in fiber include Brassicas, leafy green vegetables, beans, berries, squash, mushrooms, nut and seeds, most fruits and the bran from whole grains.