Fiber-tastic!



So I recently had to do a paper on fiber and I realized how much I didn't know about it!! We all know that it helps regulate your bowels, but that is not all it does by a long shot!


((It's a happy colon!! I couldn't resist. lol))

Essentially fiber is complex carbohydrates that are indigestible by human digestive enzymes. The fact that it is indigestible almost sounds like a problem, but it is in fact what makes the magic happen.

Fiber can lower cholesterol. It does this by trapping and passing bile acids and cholesterol. When your body goes to reabsorb the extra bile and realizes that there is not quite enough to re-use, it pulls LDL (bad) cholesterol from your blood to make more bile. This means a healthier blood cholesterol level. GENIUS!!!

Fiber can help regulate blood sugar. Some of the broken down carbohydrate sugars get caught up in the fiber in the small intestine and don't absorb into the blood as fast!!! BRILLIANT!!!

Fiber makes you feel fuller and eat less. People who consume higher levels of fiber eat less and stay fuller for longer. Maybe this is why the Nurses Health Study showed that the women who consumed more fiber weighed less. Also, in a study comparing fiber and body weight it was found that an increase in dietary fiber by 14 grams resulted in a 10% decrease in the overall amount of calories eaten and therefore weight loss. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Fiber makes a happy gut. Some fibers ferment once they reach the gut. This makes prebiotics that feed the good bacterias that live in the gut. The result is more good bacterias, that serve to protect our intestines and give our immune system a little boost. The more good bacteria is in our intestine, the less room there is for the bad bacteria to populate and make us sick. AWESOME!!

Men should aim for 38 grams of fiber daily and ladies should get 25 grams of dietary fiber.
Luckily, it is easy to find!!! It resides in many fruits, veggies, grains, and beans. Beans are especially high in grams of fiber per serving. To get the highest amount of fiber in grains, go for whole wheat and/or foods that are as unprocessed as possible.

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Here is my high fiber snack from earlier.

 Ants on a log grown up style.

1 cup of celery has 2.4 grams of fiber

2 tbsp of hummus has 1.6 grams of fiber
1oz of sunflower seeds have 2 oz fiber

                                 Total: 6 grams

 

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Hello Friends!!!!
I am returning after a long, silent summer! So quick summer re-cap:

I worked at UAMS and at ACH...

 

I hung out with my honey...

 

I welcomed a new little cousin to the fams. He is the first brand new Schmid since I was born...

 

Here are my wittle cousins.
Don't you want to sprinkle them with chocolate and nuts and eat them up???

 

I also took a road trip to the beach with ry...

 

 

and he gave me this ring... ;)

 

Yup. ENGAGED. :)