Why Fiber is Important in Hemorrhoids Prevention?
When it comes to hemorrhoids prevention, it is hard to overstate
the importance of fiber in your diet. Even though fiber is most
associated with grains, rice and breads, it is important to keep
in mind that fruits and vegetables also contain significant
amounts of fiber. In fact, the need for fiber is just one more
reason to eat fruits and vegetables every day.
Fiber is the portion of food that the human body cannot digest.
Fiber is found in foods of plant origin only; there is no fiber
in meat and dairy products. Fiber plays an important role in the
digestion of food and in the elimination of waste products as
they travel through the body.
Good sources of dietary fiber include grains, cereals, legumes,
lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Fiber comes in two forms - soluble and insoluble. All plant
materials contain both types of fiber, but some sources contain
more of one than the other. Eating a variety of foods rich in
fiber every day will ensure you get adequate levels of both
soluble and insoluble fiber.
Insoluble fiber is good in the prevention of hemorrhoids, and
some types of colon and rectal cancers. Insoluble fiber is
mainly found in wheat, some types of vegetables and in whole
grain products. Some vegetables rich in insoluble fiber include
carrots, peas and broccoli. The skins of fruits are also rich in
insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber, on the other hand, has shown promise in reducing
levels of cholesterol in the blood, and at reducing the rate at
which glucose enters the bloodstream. Soluble fiber is abundant
in dried peas, lentils, beans, barley, oat bran, and in many
fruits and vegetables.
Many people are unsure just how much dietary fiber they need
every day, but most dietitians recommend that women consume
between 21 and 25 grams of fiber per day. For men, the
recommendation is 30 to 38 grams of fiber each day.
It is important to know which foods are high in fiber in order
to boost your daily fiber consumption. In the case of packaged
foods like breads and crackers, the fiber content will be listed
as part of the nutritional label. In the case of fruits and
vegetables, there are charts which show the fiber content of an
average size piece.
When increasing fiber, it is best to make the increase gradual.
A sudden jump in fiber can lead to bloating, gas and abdominal
discomfort. In addition, it is important to drink plenty of
fluids, especially water, in order for fiber to have the best
effect. When choosing breads and cereals, it is best to go with
healthier whole grains. In general, the less processing, the
healthier the foods.
Eating the skins of fruits and vegetables is a great way to
increase dietary fiber. Many people like to make fruit shakes
and smoothies that use the skins of their favorite fruits. This
makes a delicious and nutritious way to increase fiber
consumption. In addition, keeping a variety of fiber rich foods,
such as apples, nuts, seeds and bran muffins, around for snacks
is a great idea.