Eat More Unrefined Foods

The diabetic as well as most of the rest of us should eat more natural fiber. Fiber reduces the amount of fat and sugar traveling in the bloodstream. It also helps to prevent constipation.

In some parts of the world, however, eating a high-fiber diet has become somewhat of a fad. Breakfast cereal companies produce corn bran, oat bran, and other bran cereals. Advertising proclaims the great benefits of bran. did you know that some foods even contain sawdust (wood fiber) to give a higher fiber content.

That is not what is meant by a good high fiber diet. Natural foods, just as they were created, contain the proper kinds and amounts of fiber for good health. Therefore, the more natural our diet, the better it is for us.

Vegetables and fruits all have a good supply of fiber. Don’t peel apples and other fruit with edible skins, you will lose the valuable fiber and other vitamins and minerals which are in or just under the peels. Neither should you strain or sieve cooked fruits or vegetables, first of all, you will lose the fiber; secondly your foods will be overcooked before they are soft enough to put through the sieve.

Whole, unrefined grains such as wheat, corn and oats also have a good amount of fiber. In many countries, white bread has become a sign of prosperity. Unfortunately, however, the refining process removes not only fiber but also valuable vitamins and minerals. Whole wheat flour or whole grain bread is much more healthful and nutritious than white flour or white bread.

beans, lentils, split peas, and the other legumes are excellent sources of fiber, while they are low in fat. On the other hand, meats and other animal proteins are very high-fat foods with very little fiber.

There is one more benefit to eating foods which have a large amount of fiber, they make you feel full more quickly with fewer calories. For this reason, they are useful both to the diabetic who needs to lode weight and to the insulin-dependent diabetic who must restrict his calories.

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