Oat Bran Fiber & Weight Loss

Eating a diet rich in fiber is a proven method for achieving weight loss. Fiber-rich foods help you feel full longer, resulting in a decreased consumption of overall calories. Oat bran is one of the best sources of dietary fiber.

Description

Oat bran is the hard, edible outer layer, or husk, of an oat kernel. Along with germ, bran is the main source of nutrients, including fiber, in whole grains. Fiber, although indigestible in humans, is an integral part of the human diet. Fiber pushes food through the digestive system and eases bowel movements. A diet insufficient in fiber can cause digestive disorders, constipation and painful bowel movements.

Soluable Fiber

Oat bran is a type of soluble fiber, meaning it dissolves in water. The gel that results helps lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels. The other type of fiber is insoluble fiber, which cannot dissolve in water.

Satiety

Consuming dietary fiber provides satiety, a feeling of fullness, on relatively few calories. Specifically, high-fiber foods tend to make meals feel larger, and the feeling of fullness lingers longer. This, in turn, allows the dieter to lose weight by cutting calories without feeling deprived.

Weight Loss

In addition to providing satiety on fewer calories, fiber-rich foods such as oat bran also require more chewing time, allowing the body more time to register whether or not it is full. This, in turn, prevents overeating.

Incorporating Oat Bran Into Your Diet

Try adding oat bran into batter for muffins, scones, cookies and pancakes. Oat bran can also be sprinkled over cereal and blended into smoothies.