Our Get Healthy Challenge: Week 11

Photo Credit - Green Kitchen Stories

Welcome to Week 11 of Our Get Healthy Challenge! If you're just joining us, here is what you missed so far - so you can get all caught up. This series is running for the next six months with pro nutritionists, The GetReal Gurls. They are helping us make small changes every week that build upon each weekly task. Our challenge this week?

A diet high in roughage, aka FIBRE, is oh so important! The benefits of fibre are plentiful:

* Keeps your gastrointestinal system healthy (think of it as exercise for your colon)
* You feel fuller longer, helping with weight loss and maintenance
* Prevents cancers like colon cancer
* Lowers cholesterol (particularly soluble fibre)
* Lowers blood sugar and prevents diabetes
* Feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut which in turn helps with digestion and strengthens your immune system

How much “fib-ah” do you get in your day? Sadly, the average fibre intake by North Americans is about 14 grams a day - falling very short of the recommended 25-35 grams per day. So most people could use a boost of fibre in their day.

What are the main sources of fibre? Fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. If you're anti carbs (not sure why you would be?!) - it will be harder to get fibre in your diet since whole grains like barley, quinoa, oats, whole grain wheat, etc. are great fibre boosters.

Here's your Do it! Post it! Challenge this week:

Do It! Track your fibre intake for 3 days this week and aim to get in at least 25 grams. Use food trackers like Lose it!, Fitday.com, sparkpeople or good ole food labels to get your fibre totals. 

Post It! Report back on how you did. What foods do you eat to get your hit of fibre? Do you find it easy or hard to get in your daily dose?

- A. & M. for www.getrealgurlsnutrition.com