Have you heard of Metabolic Syndrome? It’s a combo of risk factors that increase cardiovascular disease risk. A recent study of more than 2,800 kids found that those who had more fiber had a lower risk for Metabolic Syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome consists of several risk factors:
- abdominal obesity
- high blood pressure
- high blood glucose
- high triglycerides
- low HDL-cholesterol (the good stuff)
Adolescents with higher fiber intake have the lowest risk for developing Metabolic Syndrome. A higher fiber diet is connected to lower body weight, a smaller body mass index and a lower waist circumference.
How can you and your children get more fiber in your diet? Eat more fruits and veggies, legumes and
grains (rice, wheat, oats, rye, barley, quinoa).
Parents: Provide your children with healthy foods that naturally come packed with fiber.
- Cheerios or Wheaties for cereal.
- Sandwiches using whole wheat or multi-grain bread/tortilla/pita pocket.
- Multi-grain pasta and brown rice at dinner.
- And of course, don’t forget, lots fruits and veggies to boot!
