Believe it or not, it is already 2010, and that means people everywhere have made new year’s resolutions and are trying hard to stick to them. From eating better to exercising more, many resolutions often focus on losing weight and improving health. If these are your goals this year or if you’re looking for simple ways to continue eating healthy, Ocean Mist Farms Artichokes are the perfect vegetable to add to your diet and menu planning.

It is no secret that Artichokes are healthy, but did you know they offer a number of nutrients that many people need more of, including vitamin C, magnesium and potassium? Artichokes also offer an essential nutrient — fiber — that can not only help improve health, but also can help those who are dieting feel fuller longer. According to the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines, men should be eating 30 to 38 grams of fiber per day and women should be eating 21 to 25 grams per day. Despite this, most Americans are only eating half of these recommended amounts.

The following are some facts on fiber and simple tips for getting more of the essential nutrient into the diet:

• There are two types if fiber — insoluble and soluble fiber. Both can help you lose weight and stay healthy!
• Insoluble fiber helps adds volume to food, but does not add many calories.
• Soluble fiber helps to stabilize the body’s blood sugar levels, helping to control hunger. Because soluble fiber helps slow down the time food takes to go through your digestive system, it also helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.
• Fiber helps maintain a healthy digestive system, lower blood cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent certain types of cancer.
• Artichokes contain 10.3 grams of dietary fiber, which is 20 percent of the recommended daily value of fiber, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Try making healthy recipes like Ocean Mist Farms’ Artichoke Guacamole and Easy Baked Artichokes to increase your fiber intake while enjoying a tasty meal. Also, don’t forget Artichokes can be used as edible bowls stuffed with other healthful favorites like tuna.
• Other foods that offer a good source of fiber include: beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables like peas, lima beans, raspberries and prunes, brown rice, and whole grains like oats.

Try adding more servings of high-fiber foods like Artichokes to your diet to help offset hunger, improve health and lose weight. Plus, you’ll be on your way to reaching your new year’s goals in no time!

Sources: health.yahoo.com, caloriesperhour.com