How to choose low fat high fiber foods for a healthy diet
Zaak OConan

Raising the level of dietary fiber, while lowering the amount of fat in your diet, is one of the most effective changes you can make, both in terms of weight loss and overall health and fitness. Unfortunately, most people consume too much fat and not enough fiber, and reversing that trend can be difficult even for the most motivated.

A good place to start is by knowing which foods are highest in dietary fiber. Eating a diet rich in these foods is a good way to boost fiber while lowering fat and other negative dietary elements.

When boosting the amount of fiber in the diet, however, it is best to start gradually in order to let your body adjust. An abrupt change in the amount of fiber in the diet can lead to cramps, abdominal pain, bloating and gas.

Among the highest fiber foods are cooked legumes (including dried peas and beans), dried fruits, nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and berries. These foods all contain more than six grams of fiber per serving.

Foods which contain from four to six grams of fiber per serving include a baked potato (with the skin), apples, pears, barley, brown rice, bran muffins, lima beans, snow peas, green peas and sweet potatoes.

Further down the scale at two to four grams per serving are vegetables, citrus fruits, whole wheat bread, rye bread and melons. These foods are still good sources of fiber, but you will need to eat more of them to get the full effect. That’s fine, though, since they are healthy, nutritious foods in many ways.

In order to enjoy healthier eating habits for life, it is important to make fundamental changes in the way you shop, cook and eat. A diet should be more than a temporary change in eating habits; a true dietary change must be one you can follow for a lifetime.

When doing the weekly grocery shopping, get into the habit of hitting the produce section first. Fill your shopping basket with fresh, in season fruits and vegetables, as they are rich sources of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Canned fruits and vegetables are good substitutes when the fresh varieties are out of season.

When choosing baked goods, always try to find those made with more nutritious and fiber rich whole wheat flour, wheat bran, oat bran, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, oatmeal or raisins.

Become a label reader. The federally mandated nutritional labels contain a wealth of valuable information for those who take the time to understand them. Nutritional labels contain valuable information on the calorie content, fiber content, and vitamin content of all packaged foods, and many meats, seafood and poultry products as well.

Finally, there are some popular myths about fiber. It is important to dispel these myths as you seek to increase the level of fiber in the diet.

The first myth concerns the relationship of crispness to level of fiber. In short, the crispness of a food is no indication of the amount of fiber it contains. For instance, the vegetables commonly used in salads, although crisp, are not significant sources of fiber. The crunch of the lettuce is a result of the amount of water it contains, not its fiber content.

Many people also think that cooking foods breaks down fiber – it does not. Cooking has no effect on the fiber content of foods. Peeling vegetables and fruits, however, does remove some of the fiber, since the skins of fruits and vegetables contain fiber. Edible skins, such as apple peels, can be good sources of fiber.

No matter what your reasons for increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, you may well find that this is one of the most positive dietary changes you ever make. Increasing fiber can have a significant impact on your future health and well being, and the change is easier to make than many people think.
About the Author

Zaak O’Conan discovers and presents useful information on how to enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You’ll find his other articles on eating better and other ways how to improve your life at http://your-health-center.com

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The pH miracle diet is one of the most revolutionary diets to grow in popularity in the past few years. The eating principles of the diet (vegetarian, organic foods) are not new, but the addition of the pH factor is definitely something that has not been readily seen in the world of nutrition. The acid/alkaline balance of our bodies is something that many people have never heard of, although the concepts have been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The pH miracle diet may seem strange upon your first encounter, but once you find out more about the concepts and benefits youll be impressed and motivated to try this way of eating.

The pH miracle diet is a definite transition from the standard American diet. If you are embarking on a journey to health and plan to use the pH miracle diet you will definitely experience a transition in your life. This diet requires you to think about food and eating in an entirely new way. Youll be challenging old stereotypes about nutrition, such as meat is an important part of every meal and milk is beneficial to your health. It can be difficult to make a completely 180-degree turn in your way of eating and cooking.

However, in order to have success on the pH miracle diet, you dont have to make that 180-degree turn in just one week. The book outlines 7 specific steps for dietary change. They do not all have to be done at once. If you radically change your diet and are eating unfamiliar foods, cooking unfamiliar recipes and missing out on your favorite meals, you will not stay on the diet for very long, no matter how healthy it is. The best approach to adapting the pH miracle diet is to do it slowly and at your own pace.

Taking a slower approach is also helpful because it will help you understand how the diet is affecting your body. Even if youve read the book a dozen times and understand all of the science behind the acid/alkaline balance, you wont really know it well until youve done it yourself. Incorporating this new way of eating into your body step by step will allow you to feel the effects of the acid/alkaline process. You can measure the science against your personal opinion and how your body responds.

Everybody is different and you may find as you start the program that certain aspects of the program dont work for you. Maybe you cannot go vegetarian completely, or you find it difficult to go without certain acid-forming fruits. Testing out the principles of the pH miracle diet on your own body will allow you to decide what works and what doesnt. The goal of the diet is find a balance of 70% alkaline and 30% acid foods. This means that you can still enjoy the foods that you love as long as they are balanced by alkalizing foods.

The transition to an ideal pH diet balance is something you should take at your own pace. This is particularly true if you have had a diet full of acid-forming foods or if you have any major health problems. Your body will need time to respond to this new way of eating and adjust to operating on natural foods. The transition into pH balanced eating is a journey that should be traveled in incremental steps.

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The pH miracle diet is onliest of the most revolutionary diets to grow in popularity in the past few years. The eating principles of the diet ( vegetarian, organic foods ) are not new, but the addition of the pH factor is definitely something that has not been readily seen in the world of victual. The acid / alkaline balance of our bodies is something that multifarious people have never heard of, although the concepts have been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of elderliness. The pH miracle diet may seem strange upon your first push, but once you find out more about the concepts and benefits youll be impressed and motivated to try this way of eating.

The pH miracle diet is a definite transition from the standard American diet. If you are embarking on a journey to health and plan to use the pH miracle diet you cede definitely experience a transition in your life. This diet requires you to think about food and eating in an entirely new way. Youll be challenging old stereotypes about diet, such as meat is an important part of every meal and milk is beneficial to your health. Original can be difficult to make a completely 180 – degree turn in your street of eating and cooking.

However, in order to have success on the pH miracle diet, you dont have to make that 180 – degree turn in just one week. The book outlines 7 specific steps for dietary change. They do not all have to be done at once. If you radically change your diet and are eating unfamiliar foods, cooking unfamiliar recipes and missing out on your favorite meals, you will not stay on the diet for very long, no matter how healthy it is. The best approach to adapting the pH miracle diet is to do it slowly and at your own pace.

Taking a slower approach is also helpful because it will help you understand how the diet is affecting your body. Even if youve read the book a dozen times and understand all of the lore behind the acid / alkaline balance, you wont really know it well until youve done it yourself. Incorporating this new way of eating into your body step by step consign allow you to feel the effects of the acid / alkaline process. You blame deed the science against your personal opinion and how your habitus responds.

Everybody is different and you may catch as you start the program that certain aspects of the program dont work for you. Maybe you cannot go vegetarian totally, or you find it difficult to go without certain acid – forming fruits. Testing out the instruction of the pH miracle diet on your own body will allow you to decide what works and what doesnt. The goal of the diet is find a balance of 70 % alkaline and 30 % acid foods. This means that you can still enjoy the foods that you love as long as they are balanced by alkalizing foods.

The transition to an ideal pH diet balance is something you should take at your own pace. This is particularly true if you have had a diet full of acid – forming foods or if you have any major health problems. Your body commit need time to respond to this new way of eating and alter to operating on natural foods. The transition into pH balanced eating is a trek that should be traveled in incremental steps.

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Are you severely obese? If so, you may opt for the LapBand surgery. The LapBand surgery is one of the most common and popular weight loss surgeries in the United States. This popularity is due to the adjustable band that is inserted, as opposed to stomach cutting and stapling. If that wasnt ideal enough, the LapBand procedure is fully reversible and adjustable without surgery!

If you are obese, the first step in seeking help with the LapBand system is to schedule a consultation appointment. Depending on your payment options, a referral may be required from your primary care physician. Once you are able to meet with a surgeon, it will be decided if the LapBand surgery is right for you.

On average, ideal candidates for this weight loss procedure are between the ages of 18 and 60 and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more. These are the most common eligibility requirements used by surgeons. With that said, there is another important eligibility requirement. That requirement involves dietary change. To see success with the LapBand surgery, you need to restrict your diet.

There are many reasons for obesity. One of the most common causes is poor eating habits. If you are known for overeating or eating foods that are high in fats and calories, you may be concerned with diet restrictions. This is a legitimate concern. Not only will diet restrictions improve your chances of weight loss, restrictions lessen the risk of complications.

So, what type of diet restrictions are expected following a LapBand surgical procedure?

In the days following the LapBand procedure, an all-liquid diet is recommended. For the first few days, a clear liquid diet is needed. The clear liquid diet will be the hardest stage to overcome. Your diet options include diluted apple juice, chicken broth, sugar free gelatin, and non-carbonated drinks. When possible, opt for flavored liquids, as flavor may help to clam cravings.

Depending on your progress, a full liquid diet is the next step. Typically, full liquids are introduced after 7 days. At this time, pudding, yogurt, milk, and soup can be incorporated into your diet.

At around two to three weeks post-surgery, pureed foods will be incorporated into your diet. There are affordable puree systems available for sale online and in most department stores. These can enable you to enjoy many of your favorite healthy foods. Although they will look different, the tastes should be the same.

At around one or two months following the LapBand system, solid foods can be introduced. You have been waiting patiently for this time. Remember, it is important to eat healthy. Sweets are allowed, but only in moderation and they are not advised right away. Instead, consume fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Once solid foods are incorporated into the diet, many patients experience difficulty. It is not uncommon for some to overeat. This is not advised. Overeating can cause temporary pain, discomfort, and vomiting. To prevent this from happening, take slow and small bites. Stop eating when full.

As previously stated, your LapBand surgeon will closely monitor your progress and your diet following surgery. This is not only done to examine the risk of complications, but to make adjustments. It is common for the LapBand to be adjusted in the weeks or month following surgery. Different patients have different needs in terms of band size. For that reason, do not be alarmed if an adjustment is required. Lucky, this is done with the use of a thin needle and saline. You will not need to undergo surgery.

So, there you have it. You now know what is expected of you post-surgery. If you do not feel as if you can spend weeks on an all liquid diet, do not give up hope. Meet with a dietician and start making small changes to your diet. Not only will you better prepare your body for the LapBand surgery, but you may also find that you dont need it to lose weight!

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