Limit the portion sizes at such restaurants, especially if you are overweight. As a country, we do not eat enough dietary fiber. This adds bulk to our stools, can help both the colon and circulatory system, and can help prevent the formation of diverticulosis. There are two types of fiber- soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found in oats, barley, dried or canned beans, apples and some other fruits and vegetables.
Insoluble fiber is found in wholegrain products and also in vegetables.
We need to eat both types of fiber for good digestive health. In countries where the diet is high in fiber, conditions such as bowel cancer, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity are harder to find. Foods which contain fiber are mostly low in fat. Also the fatty foods which make up a large part of the diet of many Americans have very little fiber. Fiber is also very filling.