Adding Fiber in your Diet: FAQ’s

SolubleFiber

What is it?

A high fiber diet contains foods that have a lot of fiber. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that is not broken down by your body. A high fiber diet will add bulk and softness to your bowel movements. This diet may help if you have constipation, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Choose a variety of items on this diet to avoid getting tired of having the same items every day. Keep a list of foods that are good sources of fiber in your kitchen to remind you about the diet.

Below are some ways that you can increase the fiber in your diet:

  • Eat a high-fiber cereal for breakfast. Look for cereals that have bran or fiber in the name.
  • Eat whole grain breads such as whole wheat bread. Whole wheat, whole-wheat flour, or other whole grains should be listed as the first ingredient on the food label.
  • Choose whole grain products such as brown rice, barley and whole wheat pasta.
  • Add bran cereal or wheat bran to baked products. Replace white flour with whole grain flour or use half of each when baking bread.Whole grain flour is heavier than white flour. You may have to add more yeast or baking powder to your recipe.
  • Add beans, peas and lentils (small dried beans that are cooked) to your diet. You can do this by adding beans to soups or salads.
  • Eat at least five different servings of fruits and vegetables each day. You can add fruits to your diet by eating them during meals or snacks. You can add vegetables to your meals as a side dish or add them to main dishes such as soups or pastas. You can also eat fruits or vegetables as a snack.
  • Ask your dietitian or nutritionist any questions you may have about your diet plan. A dietitian or nutritionist can help to find the right diet plan for you. Dietitians or nutritionists can also help to make your new diet a regular part of your life.SolubleFiber

What foods are good sources of fiber?

The amount of fiber that adults should have in their diet is about 20-35 grams per day. Talk to your dietitian , nutritionist or caregiver about the amount of fiber that you should have in your diet.

Each of the following high-fiber foods have five or more grams of fiber:

  • Five dried prunes.
  • One-third cup of All Bran.
  • One cup of blueberries.
  • One-half cup of cooked barley.
  • One-half cup of cooked dried beans, peas, or legumes.
  • One-half cup of fresh, frozen, or canned green peas.
  • One-half cup of stewed prunes.
  • One cup of whole wheat pasta.
  • One medium raw apple with skin.
  • One medium raw pear with skin.
  • One ounce of almonds.
  • Ten figs or dates.
  • Ten pods of snow peas.
  • Three cups of air-popped popcorn.

Each of the following medium-fiber foods have two to four grams of fiber:

  • One-half of a cooked potato with skin
  • One-half cup of cooked brown rice.
  • One-half cup of fresh or frozen broccoli.
  • One cup of oatmeal.
  • One-half cup of raw carrots
  • One-third cup of (bite size) Shredded Wheat
  • One cup of strawberries.
  • One medium raw apple with no skin.
  • One slice of rye bread.
  • One slice of whole wheat bread.
  • One small bran muffin.
  • One small orange.
  • One-half of a sweet potato with skin.
  • Three graham wafers.
  • Two tablespoons of smooth, crunchy peanut butter.

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