Fiber
Before discussing the particular types of food, I want to say a few words about fiber, an important component of many of the “nature” foods. Fiber is basically the indigestible parts of plants, such as the skins of apples and other fruits and the coverings of wheat and rice. There are some nutrients contained in these fiber parts that may be extracted out for the body to use, but the basic fiber structure passes through our digestive tract to clean our intestines and give more bulk to our excrement. It actually helps the bowels function most efficiently.

Fiber is being found more and more to be important to health and prevention of many serious diseases. Our modern refined diet and fast food consciousness have taken many of us away from a fiber-rich diet composed of salads, fresh fruit, whole grains, and so on. This current inadequate diet is likely a big contributor to our main chronic diseases; specifically, the low-fiber component of the diet has been shown to be correlated with an increased level of heart disease, several gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer, particularly of the colon and rectum, one of the most common areas affected in both sexes. And when we avoid the fiber foods, we often replace them with higher fat or sugar ones, which have other disease associations. Some people eat a little daily bran with their “typical American” diet, and though this may help colon function somewhat, it is a poor substitute for eating more nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Let’s explore the foods in our diets so we can make more knowledgeable choices.