Posted on: January 21, 2014
Low-Fiber Nutrition Therapy
By Stephanie Perruzza MS, RD, CDN, Northern Westchester Hospital
Can eating or avoiding certain foods make you feel better when you have diarrhea? By consuming the recommended foods below, you will be eating less fiber, fat, lactose, and sugars, which should help stop diarrhea and make you feel better.
1. Limit foods and beverages that contain sugar, lactose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, and sorbitol.
2. Avoid beverages with caffeine.
3. Eat a small meal or snack every 3 or 4 hours.
4. Avoid spicy foods if they make symptoms worse.
(NOTE: these recommendations are suitable for most people. However, if your symptoms get worse after eating a specific food, it is recommended to avoid that food until your symptoms resolve and you feel better)
Posted on: January 17, 2014
Focus on Your Fiber
January is National Fiber Focus month, making it the perfect time to start the New Year off right by adding more fiber into your diet. The daily recommended intake for fiber is 25 grams/day for women and 38 grams/day for men, but most Americans fail to meet this requirement and only consume about 15 grams daily. Increasing your fiber intake can help aid in digestion, weight management, lowering cholesterol and improving insulin sensitivity.
There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water forming a gel; while insoluble fiber stays intact and moves rather quickly through your gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, because soluble fibers move through the gastrointestinal tract slower they help keep you feeling full longer. Insoluble fibers speed up the movement of food and waste aiding in digestion and laxation (bowel movement).
5 Ways to Increase Fiber: