The importance of Fibre
So many of us suffer with symptoms that stop us from having the life we dream
of, and most of these are avoidable by eating the right foods, having enough
exercise and sleep, and knowing ourselves better.
By eating enough fibre you are dealing with so many avoidable issues at once. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.
And it's pretty easy to get enough -
Eating 5 serves of veggies a day and a couple of pieces of fruit will give you the fibre you need. Leaving the skin on is a great way to get even more. Another good way is by including more legumes in your diet. Most of us love baked beans for breakfast and if you add a piece of spelt, rye or wholegrain toast then you've got a massive hit of fibre. If you like a sweeter breakfast, try adding one tablespoon of Melrose's 'Breakfast Booster' to your smoothie. It's made from many different forms of fibre - linseed, sunflower and almond meal, soy fibre and Brazil nut meal. Toss in some fruit and quinoa milk and you'll be on your way to getting enough fibre for the day.
Snack time could be houmus on a spelt or rice cracker or use some raw veggies instead of a cracker. A teaspoon of nut butter spread - almond, Brazil or cashew - scraped on some Mountain Bread with a little honey is pretty yummy, believe me. Make a salad by tossing together some lentils (canned is fine) roast veggies and brown rice and dressing it with balsamic or apple cider vinegar and olive or walnut oil. A little tahini dressing on the side is lovely. And while you're there, make enough to last a few days. Dinner should be protein and veggies at night and maybe some fruit and a sprinkle of linseed meal for dessert. It's that easy to get enough fibre in your diet.
copyright janellapurcell 2011
Watch Janella Purcell on Good Chef Bad Chef - Channel 10
By eating enough fibre you are dealing with so many avoidable issues at once. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.
Here are 5 good reasons to eat more fibre -
1. Including enough fibre in your diet decreases your chances of getting
diabetes.
2. Digestive problems such as reflux, constipation, haemorrhoids, bloating, diverticulitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome can all be reduced, even eliminated by including more fibre in your diet.
3. Fibre will help reduce sugar cravings because it takes longer to absorb in your blood stream so will keep you full for longer. By including fibre at breakfast and lunch you'll find those 3pm dips vanish.
4. Foods high in fibre are known to reduce allergies.
6. High-fibre diets will help to lower your blood cholesterol
2. Digestive problems such as reflux, constipation, haemorrhoids, bloating, diverticulitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome can all be reduced, even eliminated by including more fibre in your diet.
3. Fibre will help reduce sugar cravings because it takes longer to absorb in your blood stream so will keep you full for longer. By including fibre at breakfast and lunch you'll find those 3pm dips vanish.
4. Foods high in fibre are known to reduce allergies.
6. High-fibre diets will help to lower your blood cholesterol
And it's pretty easy to get enough -
Eating 5 serves of veggies a day and a couple of pieces of fruit will give you the fibre you need. Leaving the skin on is a great way to get even more. Another good way is by including more legumes in your diet. Most of us love baked beans for breakfast and if you add a piece of spelt, rye or wholegrain toast then you've got a massive hit of fibre. If you like a sweeter breakfast, try adding one tablespoon of Melrose's 'Breakfast Booster' to your smoothie. It's made from many different forms of fibre - linseed, sunflower and almond meal, soy fibre and Brazil nut meal. Toss in some fruit and quinoa milk and you'll be on your way to getting enough fibre for the day.
Snack time could be houmus on a spelt or rice cracker or use some raw veggies instead of a cracker. A teaspoon of nut butter spread - almond, Brazil or cashew - scraped on some Mountain Bread with a little honey is pretty yummy, believe me. Make a salad by tossing together some lentils (canned is fine) roast veggies and brown rice and dressing it with balsamic or apple cider vinegar and olive or walnut oil. A little tahini dressing on the side is lovely. And while you're there, make enough to last a few days. Dinner should be protein and veggies at night and maybe some fruit and a sprinkle of linseed meal for dessert. It's that easy to get enough fibre in your diet.
copyright janellapurcell 2011
Watch Janella Purcell on Good Chef Bad Chef - Channel 10