What Happens to Your Body When You Don't Eat Enough Dietary Fiber?

Many issues arise from adopting a diet that is neither proper nor healthy for the body over time.

Junk food may provide temporary satisfaction, but one of its big issues is that it doesn't supply the body with what it needs in the amount it needs. Consuming junk food continuously as a lifestyle creates a significant deficit in our dietary fiber reserve, which only we can and should replenish. By the way, when we say junk food, we don't necessarily mean eating burgers and fries every day. Even consuming white bread, cookies, soft drinks, white rice, and sugar lacks any health benefits for your body.

Dietary fibers are found in almost every food the world defines as 'healthful' - from fruits and vegetables to legumes like buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice, and lentils. They're also in whole grain bread, oats, nuts, and flax seeds.

An adult is supposed to consume about 32 grams of fiber per day, but statistics among those who consume a lot of junk food show they don't reach this amount at all, with most consuming somewhere between 10-15 grams of fiber.

So why is it so important, and what happens to our bodies if we don't eat enough of them? Here are some facts to clear things up for you:

1. Don’t expect to feel full for long. A lack of dietary fibers immediately signals to your system that you're hungry. Not just at the moment, but all the time. Even if you've just finished eating, you'll soon feel hungry again.

2. Chronic fatigue, heaviness, and lack of energy. Sound familiar? A shortage of dietary fibers makes this condition much more acute and severe.

3. Spike in bad cholesterol levels: Studies performed by clinical dietitians in the US and published in a clinical nutrition journal found that an increase in bad cholesterol levels is directly influenced by the amount of dietary fiber you consume daily.

4. You're at risk for Type 2 diabetes. A lack of dietary fiber in the body is a huge warning sign on your path, one you really need to heed if you don't want to develop conditions like Type 2 diabetes and high blood fats.

5. Constipation, hemorrhoids, and everything in between: A lack of dietary fiber in your food can lead to constipation. Prolonged constipation may lead to the painful condition of hemorrhoids, which you really don’t want to experience. People who have had hemorrhoids say they are almost untreatable, despite there being surgery to remove them. Surgery might bring temporary relief, but in most cases, they return, especially if you don’t maintain a proper diet.

How can you improve your dietary fiber intake? By drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day. For instance, you can skip your morning coffee and opt for a warm glass of water with a date in it. Throughout the day, carry a nice and inviting glass to encourage you to drink more, filling it with mineral water, a date, mint leaves, lemon slices, and even your favorite seasonal fruits.