You know how protein has been really having a moment? And how all sorts of foods are being marketed as high-protein?
Well, I keep seeing headlines saying that fiber is going to be the new protein.
If this is true, then we are about to see some ridiculousness coming down the pike.
Remember when low-carb was all the rage, and we had silly things like South Beach Diet-friendly donuts at Krispy Kreme?
And in this era of protein obsession, perhaps you have seen protein pastries and protein ice cream; also a little silly.
You can buy protein water, protein juice, protein everything.
At this point, I’m a little surprised no one is making protein dental floss. 😉
I’m trying to eat protein to support my efforts in the gym, of course, but generally speaking, I get my protein from things that are supposed to have it, like:
- dairy products
- eggs
- meat
- seafood
- legumes
These options tend to be less processed and less expensive than the manufactured protein products, and that’s a win in my book.
Fiber can be simple and affordable
I do actually support an increased fiber intake, because Americans generally do not eat enough (10-15 grams a day vs. the recommended 25-38 grams).
But if fiber does indeed become the new protein, I anticipate some silliness in the grocery stores.
Manufacturers will probably add fiber to all sorts of surprising foods; I’m imagining fiber orange juice, fiber water, fiber donuts, fiber ice cream, fiber yogurt…the possibilities are endless, and they will all be more expensive than their normal counterparts.
So.
Let me remind you that fiber is abundantly available in some very affordable foods!
If you eat legumes, vegetables, fruit, seeds, and whole grains, you can spend very little money in your efforts to up your fiber intake.
For example, beans, carrots, broccoli, apples, chia seeds, and oatmeal are all quite affordable!
And if you get your fiber from those regular ol’ unfancy sources, then you can safely opt for regular, affordable versions of water, juice, ice cream, yogurt, or whatever else they add some fiber to.
As a bonus, many naturally fiber-filled foods come with other built-in nutritional benefits, but the same cannot be said about a manufactured high-fiber potato chip. 😉
Anyway! With almost anything in life, there’s usually a cheaper way to get it done, and high-fiber eating is no exception.
And now I’m going to go eat a salad. 😉
What are your favorite not-especially-manufactured high fiber foods?
P.S. I understand that sometimes fiber supplements are necessary/useful. But for the general population, I think that getting dietary fiber from fibrous foods is ideal. 🙂
Source: www.thefrugalgirl.com…