Roughage

Roughage

Roughage refers to dietary fibre, which passes through the digestive system without producing any chemical effects.

Strictly speaking, they are not part of nourishment as they are not digested. However, you can become ill if you do not eat enough roughage. It is indispensable for digestion, and supplies us with vitamins.

Dietary fibre fulfils a number of important tasks. For example, it must be chewed for a sufficiently long time, which massages your gums and strengthens dental enamel. It also removes any sugar residue from teeth.

If you eat vegetable fibre, the volume of the ingested food increases and you feel full more quickly and for longer. It is no wonder, therefore, that roughage should be part of every sensible diet.

Scientists recommend eating approx. 30 grams of roughage daily. That is not difficult with a balanced diet. For example, a portion of beans can meet this requirement easily. In reality, however, most people eat much too much meat, too many sweets and far too few vegetables and high-quality cereal products.

Put a smaller steak on your plate and a bigger portion of vegetables. Or start the day with a bowl of muesli. This is not only healthy, but also delicious.

And you'll notice that you feel a lot better!

Text: Elisabeth Lange