4 products to boost your fibre

Fibre-boosting options

Bump up your fibre intake, and your body will thank you. It’s gut friendly, and can help with weight loss and prevent belly bloating. Plus, it’s good for warding off disease, too. Research shows that a balanced diet that includes optimal levels of fibre can lower your risk of heart disease and colon cancer. Health Canada recommends adults get between 25 and 30 grams a day. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by drinking water-that helps fibre push through your system. We searched the grocery store shelves to find some fibre-boosting options.

Rice crackers

Instead of: Christie Rice Thins Sesame is a low-cal snack at 90 calories (12 crackers, 21 g), but it has 0 g fibre per serving. Hmm…. You can do better.

Try: Christie Rice Thins Brown Rice Crisps Sea Salt & Pepper has 2 g fibre and 90 calories for a serving of nine crackers (21 g).

Soups

Instead of: Campbell’s Chicken With Rice soup has only 1 g fibre per 1-cup (250 mL) prepared bowl of soup (80 calories). Take a pass for a heartier meal.

Try: Campbell’s French Canadian Style Pea soup has loads of fibre, thanks to yellow peas. A 1-cup?prepared serving has 9 g?fibre (but more calories-190).

Fruit juices

Instead of: Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is full of antioxidants, but it has only 1 g fibre per 1-cup serving (and 180 calories). Why not switch things up?

Try: Welch’s Prune Nectar can be a tasty start to your day, as part of a healthy breakfast, and it has 4 g fibre and 170 calories per 1-cup serving. (Prunes keep you regular.)

Microwave popcorn

Instead of: Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn Spicy Nacho Flavour does have 3 g fibre and 170 calories per 42-g serving (half bag). But there’s a better choice.

Try: Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop! Buttery Flavour cuts back on calories and bumps up the fibre: 130 calories and 5 g fibre per 40-g serving (half bag).

Related:

• Quiz: How much do you know about fibre?

• How fibre helps with weight loss

• 11 food swaps to help you lose weight