

Eat the peel whenever possible - it's easier than peeling or eating around it. Fresh fruit is slightly higher in fiber than canned. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.Whole grains and legumes as part of the main meal or in salads. Experiment with international dishes (such as Indian or Middle Eastern) that use.Substitute legumes for meat two to three times per week in chili and soups.Serving is approximately 7 to 8 grams of fiber. Add kidney beans, garbanzos or other bean varieties to your salads.If the switch is hard to make, start by mixing them together. Cook with brown rice instead of white rice.Keep whole-wheat crackers on hand for an easy snack.Choose cereals with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.Look on the label for breads with the highest amount of fiber per slice. Use whole-wheat flour when possible in your cooking and baking.Sprinkle over salad, soup, breakfast cereals and yogurt. Keep a jar of oat bran or wheat germ handy.As a general rule, include at least one serving of whole grain in every meal.Here are some easy ways to increase fiber: Grains and Cereals That's about half the recommended amount. Currently, dietary fiber intakes among adults in the United States average about 15 grams a day. Total dietary fiber intake should be 25 to 30 grams a day from food, not supplements. The American Heart Association Eating Plan suggests eating a variety of food fiber sources. Insoluble fiber can be found in fruits with edible peel or seeds, vegetables, whole grain products (such as whole-wheat bread, pasta and crackers), bulgur wheat, stone ground corn meal, cereals, bran, rolled oats, buckwheat and brown rice. They promote normal movement of intestinal contents. Insoluble Water-insoluble fibers remain unchanged during digestion.Soluble fiber can be found in fruits (such as apples, oranges and grapefruit), vegetables, legumes (such as dry beans, lentils and peas), barley, oats and oat bran. They increase stool bulk and may decrease blood cholesterol levels.

Soluble Water-soluble fibers absorb water during digestion.Each has different properties and characteristics. There are two important types of fiber: water-soluble and water insoluble. What is fiber?ĭietary fiber is material from plant cells that cannot be broken down by enzymes in the human digestive tract. Fiber is important for the health of the digestive system and for lowering cholesterol. A high-fiber diet appears to reduce the risk of developing various conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, diverticular disease, constipation and colon cancer.
