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High-fiber foods

Dietary fiber - self-care; Constipation - fiber

 

Fiber is a substance found in plants. Dietary fiber, the kind you eat, is found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Your body cannot digest fiber, so it passes through your intestines without being absorbed much.

Function

 

Dietary fiber adds bulk to your diet. Because it makes you feel full faster and for longer, it can help you control weight.

High fiber diets can also help with constipation.

 

What to Expect at Home

 

Slowly increase the amount of fiber in your diet. If you have bloating or gas, you have probably eaten too much and need to reduce the amount of fiber you eat for a few days. Drink plenty of fluids. When you increase fiber in your diet, you also need to get enough fluids. Not getting enough fluids may make constipation worse instead of better.

The daily recommended intake (DRI) for adults 19 to 50 years old is 38 grams a day for men and 25 grams a day for women. To get more into your diet, eat different types of foods, such as:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains

Read food labels carefully to see how much fiber they have. Choose foods that have higher amounts of fiber, such as whole-wheat bread versus white bread.

 

Vegetables, Legumes, and Nuts

 

Vegetables are a good source of fiber. Eat more:

  • Lettuce, Swiss chard, raw carrots, and spinach
  • Tender cooked vegetables, such as asparagus, beets, mushrooms, turnips, and pumpkin
  • Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes with skin
  • Broccoli, artichokes, squashes, and string beans

You can also get more fiber by eating:

  • Legumes, such as lentils, black beans, split peas, kidney beans, lima beans, and chickpeas
  • Nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, pistachios, and pecans

 

Fruits

 

Fruits are another good source of fiber. Eat more:

  • Apples and bananas
  • Peaches and pears
  • Tangerines, prunes, and berries
  • Figs and other dried fruits

 

Grains

 

Grains are another important source of dietary fiber. Eat more:

  • Hot cereals, such as oatmeal and farina (Cream of Wheat)
  • Whole-grain breads
  • Brown rice
  • Popcorn
  • High-fiber cereals, such as bran, shredded wheat, Grape Nuts, Ry Krisp, and puffed wheat
  • Whole-wheat pastas
  • Bran muffins

 

 

References

Dahl WJ, Stewart ML. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: health implications of dietary fiber. J Acad Nutr Diet . 2015;115(11):1861-1870. PMID 26514720 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26514720 .

Grodner M, Escott-Stump S, Dorner S. Carbohydrates. In: Grodner M, Escott-Stump S, Dorner S, eds. Nutritional Foundations and Clinical Applications . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2016:chap 5.

 
  • Sources of fiber - illustration

    The addition of fiber in the diet aids in digestion and helps to avoid constipation. Vegetables, fresh fruits (especially dried fruits) and whole wheat, bran, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids.

    Sources of fiber

    illustration

    • Sources of fiber - illustration

      The addition of fiber in the diet aids in digestion and helps to avoid constipation. Vegetables, fresh fruits (especially dried fruits) and whole wheat, bran, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids.

      Sources of fiber

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

      Tests for High-fiber foods

       

         

        Review Date: 8/14/2016

        Reviewed By: Emily Wax, RD, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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