How to Add Fiber to Your Diet and Still Enjoy Your Food
June 13, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Orlando
• 0 Comments
How to Add Fiber to Your Diet and Still Enjoy Your Food
When we think of fiber, most of us picture foods about as appetizing as cardboard but the truth is that there are thousands of delicious ways to add more fiber to our diets without sacrificing any of the flavors we enjoy. Whether snacking or preparing meals, you can use culinary techniques employed by those enrolled in Florida cooking schools to improve your health and make delicious food. Here are 5 easy and tasty ways to incorporate more fiber in your diet.
1. Eat cereal with fruit for breakfast
Nearly all of our favorite breakfast cereals are now made with whole grains and whole grains are a great source of fiber. Now you can eat a cereal that both tastes good and is good for you. Just make sure a whole grain is the first ingredient on the box. Fruit is a main staple of Florida cooking so add a full serving of fruit such as blueberries and you can add up to another 5 grams of dietary fiber to your breakfast.
2. Snack on popcorn
Make sure to go easy on the salt and butter but believe it or not this movie-goer’s staple is a great source of fiber with three grams per serving.
3. Substitute whole wheat for white pasta
Some pasta lovers might be skeptical that the flavor of their favorite dishes will be altered but with all the different options on the market these days, there is a healthy pasta option for every taste bud. If you prefer the taste of white pasta, try a high fiber line or for the more adventurous palette try a pasta made with kamut or rye.
4. Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast
Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber and a great breakfast option but its usefulness doesn’t end there. Try these culinary techniques for a healthy and flavorful variation to some of your favorite foods. Use oatmeal as a substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf and meatballs. It is also a great add in for baked goods. It can be used in anything from bread to cookies and muffins.
5. Eat more vegetables!
Okay this one might not sound particularly appealing but there are lots of great ways to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Try baby carrots with low fat ranch dressing for dipping. Baked sweet potato fries (peel on) are also sure to be a family favorite. Whether you have a green salad with lunch or roasted vegetables for dinner eating more vegetables, with up to five grams of fiber per serving, is key to a healthier diet.
Small changes in your diet can lead to big health benefits. Fiber doesn’t only aid in digestion but can also help prevent heart disease and diabetes. For people who want to lose weight a diet high in fiber can regulate blood sugar levels and keep you feeling fuller longer. The best part is you can increase your fiber intake and still enjoy delicious and satisfying foods.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Orlando, Florida. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Orlando for more information.
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