fiber: it's good for me and poo!

BUTT if, like me, you often skip breakfast, eat a lean cuisine for lunch (and sometimes dinner), you probably aren’t getting enough fiber in your diet. So, it’s kind of an uncomfortable topic to broach, but I want to bring the topic of digestive health to the forefront. According to studies from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, North Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health.

A-ha! Enter the fiber supplement. There are many types of dietary fiber supplements available -- in pills, powder, yogurt, and chewable forms! Side effects may include feeling bloated or having gas, but you can cut back on the doses if these issues occur (i.e. don’t start experimenting with a fiber supplement the weekend of your first trip away with that new boyfriend). And the benefits far outweigh any embarrassment you might experience. Fiber can prevent constipation, lower your risk of digestive conditions (ahem! hemorrhoids), control blood sugar levels (reducing the risk of diabetes), and help curb your appetite to help with weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight! And though the American Cancer Society has conflicting headlines on their webpage: “Studies Find High-Fiber Diet Lowers Colon Cancer Risk" and “Fiber May Not Reduce Colon Cancer Risk,” the previously listed benefits are worth exploring a fiber supplement (or adding more fiber to your diet naturally). Until next time, stay regular y’all!