By Leigh Belanger

As someone who tries to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, when my diet gets thrown off track, I can feel it. I feel sluggish, with low energy, and my digestive tract feels the same way.

There are many benefits to basing our diets on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and one is the fiber we derive from these sources.

Dietary fiber comes from the parts of plant foods that our bodies can’t digest. A high-fiber diet helps keep our digestive tracts healthy, and can prevent constipation and conditions like diverticulitis.