Did you know high fiber foods could aid in weight loss too? That’s right. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer, so you don’t feel the need to eat so much. Also, high fiber foods are less energy-dense, which means you consume fewer calories. On a nutritional profile there are three types of carbohydrates listed. They are sugars or simple sugars, other sugars or complex sugars and fiber.

Even though fiber is listed on nutritional labels as a carbohydrate, it doesn’t act as one, because it never leaves the GI tract, and is therefore not absorbed by the body. For this reason, you should subtract the number of fiber grams from your total carbohydrate intake. So, just how much fiber do we need? I recommend clients get between 25-40 grams of fiber a day. Be careful though. Increase your fiber intake slowly, because too much fiber taken too soon can cause digestive distress. This will help prevent bloating and cramping. Also, make sure your water intake increases, as you increase your fiber. Increasing your daily fiber intake will make you look and feel better.

Fitness or nutrition question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and master personal trainer for 26 years. He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, and Converse college equestrian team. He was lead trainer to L.H. Fields modeling agency, taught four semesters at USC-Union, and was a water safety consultant to the United States Marine Corps.. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.