Fibre what is it and what foods/drinks will help me increase my fibre?!

Fibre what is it and what foods/drinks will help me increase my fibre?

I have been told to increase my fibre so what is it and should I be eating, also what would a great snack be - thats full of fibre??

There are 2 kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Both are needed in a healthful diet. Fibers are the transport medium for ingested foods. We tend to think of only of the high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans and nuts. But all vegetables and fruits contain fiber in sufficient amounts for a healthful diet. The trick is to eat a variety of them to get a nutrient balance. Foods from refined grains such as white breads and white rice should be kept at a minimum because the nutritive parts (germ) and the insoluble fiber (bran) have been removed. Other foods that contain fiber are meats and juices that still have the pulp, such as tomato juice, vegetable juice and orange juice w/ pulp. Juices from the TV touted juicers have most of the insoluble fiber removed but retain some of the soluble fiber and the majority of the nutrients. These juices are healthful but are in no way a substitute for the whole vegetable or the whole fruit. They should be used only as an adjunct to a healthful diet.

Snacks? Whole grain muffin w/ fruit bits and nuts. A bit of fruit/berry such as blueberries, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas and melons. Nuts and trail-mixes. Wasabi Peas (sweet peas w/ a spicy hot coating). Fresh fruit/vegetable juice from a juicer. And, of course, carrot and celery sticks.