Fiber is found in plenty of foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. If you eat a balanced diet full of these, you should get enough fiber to meet your needs. However, the typical Western diet high in processed foods is often lacking in this nutrient.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. There are two types, soluble and insoluble, and both are important for our health, Amy Bragagnini, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and turns into a gel-like substance which slows digestion and helps you feel fuller for longer, says Bragagnini. Eating enough soluble fiber helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, she adds.

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in wate

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