What Is Fiber?

at 4:32 AM

I thought maybe we need to visit this subject! You ask why; doesn't everyone know what fiber is? That's what I thought until I came across this loaf of bread in the store that said: "contains vegetable fiber." Right, not to be confused with the fiber found in fish, eggs and steak. Sara Lee is the company that makes this bread and I guess they think they have found something novel. No they know better, this is just a marketing ploy so that the consumer thinks the bread is a better product than the other whole wheat breads on the market containing fiber. When I read the fine print, I realized that they have added soybean fiber to the bread. Yes soybeans much like virtually ALL OTHER VEGETABLES contain fiber.

Fiber by definition IS from plants and only plants. It is the indigestible carbohydrate found mainly in the outer layer of plants. Fiber slows down the eating process and helps contribute to a feeling of being full, which in turn can prevent overeating. Fiber also slows down digestion and absorption so that glucose in food enters the bloodstream more slowly.

Fiber is found in whole grain cereals, whole grain bread, beans, fruits, vegetables and nuts.

There are two main types of fiber and they have different effects on the body:

1. Insoluble fiber- cannot be dissolved in water and has a good laxative action.

2. Soluble fiber- made up of polysaccharides (carbohydrates containing 3 or more simple carbohydrates) and dissolves in water. It can lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

A healthy diet should contain abut 25 to 30 grams of fiber.

So bottom line: the phrase 'vegetable fiber' is not only hilarious and redundant but sad because the industry thinks the public does not know any better.