Fun Fiber Facts

   Okay, I may have been a bit over zealous about trying to find a title with alliteration.  You really can't call facts about fiber "fun," but they are important to know in order to get and stay healthy.  Do you keep track of your daily fiber intake?  For women the recommendation is 28 grams; for men it's 38.  The good news is, if you're following the Weight Watchers Good Health Guidelines, you're getting the fiber you need daily. 
   I have to admit, I was like most people and believed that the best source of fiber is bran.  (Bran anything is not my favorite food to eat.)  Imagine my surprise when I found out fiber was in fruits and vegetables!  Fiber make up the cell walls in plants. (The science teacher in me says, "Well, duh!  You should have known that.")

Lentil and Feta Salad...Yum!

   In addition to fruits and vegetables, fiber is found in nuts, beans, seeds, and (of course) whole grains.  Some of my favorite  fiber-rich foods include oatmeal (WW oatmeal contains 8-10 grams of fiber, depending on the kind you eat.),  apples (4.4 grams), bananas (3.1 grams), lentils (1 cup, 15.6 grams - If you're in the Tulsa area, check out the lentil salad at The Wild Fork in Utica Square.  It's incredible!), black beans (15 grams- Try black bean brownies; don't make a face, they're delicious!), artichoke (1 medium, 10.3- I like it on pizza!) and sweet corn (1 cup, 4.2 grams).
   Check out the Mayo Clinic's article on High-fiber Foods to see the fiber content of more foods. For more info on fiber, check out Are You Eating Enough Fiber? on the Weight Watchers website.
   If you've discovered you're not getting you're recommended daily fiber intake and plan to change; increase your intake slowly.  Be sure to drink plenty of water with your fiber intake.  This will aid the fiber as it helps with digestion.