SHAWANO, WI – With the new school year approaching and busy schedules returning for families across Northeast Wisconsin, health officials are reminding residents not to let healthy eating slip, especially when it comes to fiber.
Jenna Tienor from the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department says fiber is an essential nutrient that supports multiple aspects of health, from digestion to heart health. “Fiber is a carbohydrate, and that helps with satiety, digestion, gut, and heart health,” she said, adding that dietary fiber plays a key role in keeping the digestive system running smoothly.
Fiber increases the weight and size of stool and can soften it, making bowel movements easier. At the same time, it can also help firm up loose, watery stools. Tienor suggests boosting daily fiber intake by eating more produce, keeping the peels on fruits and vegetables, and adding beans to meals.
She notes that soluble fiber, found in oats, beans, apples, and nuts, can help control blood sugar and lower cholesterol, while insoluble fiber, found in raspberries, potatoes, and broccoli, helps keep digestion on track and supports overall gut health.
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