Although there is no identifiable deficiency disease caused by lack of fiber in the diet, research does indicate that a low intake of dietary fiber, or a dietary fiber deficiency, over one’s life can be associated with numerous health problems. These health problems include constipation, bowel irregularities, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, raised cholesterol levels, and obesity. In order to avoid these health concerns associated with a dietary fiber deficiency one should definitely consume 25-35 grams of fiber per day.

If you are looking for an organic drink with fiber you may want to try drinking Silk’s new product Silk Plus Fiber. It is an organic soy milk and provides 5 grams of fiber per serving. Silk Plus Fiber offers a delicious and convenient way to boost your fiber intake and help you meet your daily fiber needs. I love Silk’s soy milk and definitely recommend this product. It would be a great addition to a high fiber cereal.

Like I have mentioned in earlier posts, if you are increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, make sure that you increase your water intake too. Water will help fiber do its job and help prevent constipation and gas pains.

Studies have proven that there is definitely a relationship between cholesterol and fiber in the diet. If you are looking for ways to lower your cholesterol then you should definitely consider increasing the fiber in your diet (if your cholesterol is being monitored by a doctor you should probably let your doctor know about any changes in your diet). The best fiber to lower blood cholesterol is soluble fiber.  According to the Mayo Clinic, (continue your reading )

If you are suffering from constipation, especially chronic or severe constipation, you are most likely willing to do almost anything to get some kind of constipation relief. Unfortunately, when it comes to relieving constipation most people run to the store and buy a laxative. People want a quick fix, but the downside is that laxatives can be habit-forming and dangerous to our body if we use them frequently. Studies have shown that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet is a great safe and healthy way for relieving constipation. However, some of you may not know what foods are high in fiber and may find it too challenging to eat 25-35 grams of fiber each day. (continue your reading )

For many years studies have shown that breakfast eaters are better at losing weight and keeping the weight off when compared to people who skip breakfast. However, in order for breakfast to help you with weight loss you need to make smart choices. People who eat a high fiber breakfast are most likely eating a breakfast low in fat and calories.

If you are looking to shed some pounds by starting a low fat high fiber diet here are some great ideas for a high fiber breakfast and some great high fiber breakfast recipes. (continue your reading )

The thought of drinking prune juice makes some people cringe. However, prune juice provides much needed relief to those who suffer from constipation. We all know that prunes contain fiber. Actually, one cup of uncooked prunes contains 12 grams of dietary fiber and three dried prunes contain 3.9 grams of fiber. However, prune juice contains only 3 grams per serving due to filtration in processing.

So, how is prune juice a laxative? Prunes and prune juice contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a naturally occurring sugar, or carbohydrate, that works as a laxative. However, prune juice sorbitol cannot be digested by the body which may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Since sorbitol cannot be digested, the body wants to rid itself of these sugars, thus creating a natural laxative. So, use caution and start slowly when drinking prune juice due to the possible side effects of sorbitol.

The stigma surrounding prunes (now called “Dried Plums” by the FDA) has been that they are only eaten by the “older” generation. Aside from being a laxative, prunes and prune juice actually have many health benefits. Prunes: (continue your reading )

Eating and snacking on high fiber cereals is one of the best ways to maintain a low fat high fiber diet. If you are looking for a high fiber cereal try to choose a cereal that has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Because so many people are learning about the importance of fiber the cereal companies are doing an excellent job creating many high fiber cereals. Below you will find a list of some high fiber cereals. (continue your reading )

There has been a lot of buzz lately about the Fiber 35 diet. The author, Brenda Watson, of Fiber 35 was featured on a PBS special about fiber and dieting. Also, you may have seen the Fiber 35 Diet publicized online. Here is a brief overview about the diet:

It is recommended that we consume 25 - 35 grams of fiber per day. However, most of us don’t even consume half of that amount on a daily basis. Many of us eat too many processed foods and foods high in sugar that we don’t leave much room in our diets for fruits, vegetables, and other fiber rich foods. This is the reason that many of us just can’t lose weight! (continue your reading )

I recently found that Kellogg’s All-Bran has a fiber drink mix on the market (All-Bran Fiber Drink Mix). It provides you with a whopping 10 grams of fiber and only has 20 calories per packet(you add the packet to water just like you would crystal light). If you do not like artificial sweeteners then you most likely will not like this drink because it does have sucralose added.

You can also easily add a fiber supplement called Benefiber into many hot or cold beverages. All you do is stir a few teaspoons into your drink and it will dissolve. The great thing about this fiber supplement is that it does not alter the taste or consistency of the beverage in any way. Try adding it to your morning coffee or even to your water. The company that makes Benefiber does not recommend mixing with carbonated beverages.

We have received a few emails asking what is the best fiber supplement on the market? Before we answer that question, there are some questions that you have to ask yourself (or your doctor if you have special circumstances in terms of your intestinal tract, colon, etc). Finding the best fiber supplement depends on your needs, preference, and body. There are many different types of fiber supplements: (continue your reading )