Often in your attempt to make certain your baby and other family members eat right, you forget about your own diet. This is understandable given the time you need to take care of your new child. Many new mothers, however, may ignore their own eating habits. An article today on HealthDay news described the importance of fiber to a diet. As reported, fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol, and reduce risks of heart disease and diabetes. An important part of a healthy diet, fiber can be found in many types of foods and is available in supplement form. Suggestions on how to improve your fiber intake, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Eat at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables each day. Some foods that are high in fiber are: apples, oranges, berries, pears, broccoli, carrots, beans, green peas and cauliflower.
  
• Eat whole grain or whole wheat bread instead of white, and substitute brown rice for white rice. Include bran muffins, oatmeal and multigrain cereals in your diet. Anything whole wheat or whole grain should be a good source of fiber.
  
• Eat a bran cereal for breakfast -- but check the label to make sure it contains plenty of fiber. Try mixing wheat bran with other foods, particularly in dishes that will be baked.
  
• Eat cooked beans frequently.

It's not easy trying to eat right once you become a mother. As a mother your concerns are focused on the nutritional needs of another person and all too often your needs get pushed aside in those efforts. How do you manage? Do you eat a balanced diet or do you find yourself snacking on Frosted Flakes all day long?