If you’re trying to increase your fiber intake, there are plenty of nutritious and delicious options to choose from. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, and lentils are all excellent sources that can help you meet your daily fiber needs.
Fiber-rich foods contain different types of dietary fiber, each offering unique health benefits.
Some types of fiber support healthy digestion by helping move waste smoothly through the large intestine. Other types promote a feeling of fullness, which may reduce overall calorie intake and support weight management. In addition, diets high in fiber have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease and improved overall health.
How Much Fiber Do You Need Each Day?
Your recommended daily fiber intake depends on your age and your total calorie consumption.
According to current U.S. dietary guidelines, individuals aged 2 years and older should aim for 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed daily. For toddlers between 12 and 23 months, the recommendation is approximately 19 grams of fiber per day.
Meeting your fiber goals can be simple when you include a variety of plant-based foods in your meals.
Below, you’ll find charts listing common high-fiber foods along with their fiber content to help you make informed choices and build a healthier diet.
Keep in mind:
- Check the label. When buying packaged foods, check the Nutrition Facts label for fiber content. It can vary among brands.
- Start slow. Adding too much fiber too quickly can result in intestinal gas, diarrhea, cramping and bloating. Consider increasing your fiber intake gradually over a few weeks.
- Drink fluids. As you eat more fiber, remember to drink plenty of fluids. Some fibers work best when they absorb water, so being well hydrated can help prevent uncomfortable bowel movements.
| Fruits | Serving size (grams) | Total fiber (grams)* |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberries | 1 cup (123) | 8.0 |
| Pear | 1 medium (178) | 5.5 |
| Apple, with skin | 1 medium (182) | 4.5 |
| Banana | 1 medium (118) | 3.0 |
| Orange | 1 medium (140) | 3.0 |
| Strawberries | 1 cup (144) | 3.0 |
| Vegetables | Serving size (grams) | Total fiber (grams)* |
|---|---|---|
| Green peas, boiled | 1 cup (160) | 9.0 |
| Broccoli, boiled | 1 cup chopped (156) | 5.0 |
| Turnip greens, boiled | 1 cup (144) | 5.0 |
| Brussels sprouts, boiled | 1 cup (156) | 4.5 |
| Potato, with skin, baked | 1 medium (173) | 4.0 |
| Sweet corn, boiled | 1 cup (157) | 4.0 |
| Cauliflower, raw | 1 cup chopped (107) | 2.0 |
| Carrot, raw | 1 medium (61) | 1.5 |
| Grains | Serving size (grams) | Total fiber (grams)* |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti, whole-wheat, cooked | 1 cup (151) | 6.0 |
| Barley, pearled, cooked | 1 cup (157) | 6.0 |
| Bran flakes | 3/4 cup (30) | 5.5 |
| Quinoa, cooked | 1 cup (185) | 5.0 |
| Oat bran muffin | 1 medium (113) | 5.0 |
| Oatmeal, instant, cooked | 1 cup (234) | 4.0 |
| Popcorn, air-popped | 3 cups (24) | 3.5 |
| Brown rice, cooked | 1 cup (195) | 3.5 |
| Bread, whole-wheat | 1 slice (32) | 2.0 |
| Bread, rye | 1 slice (32) | 2.0 |
| Legumes, nuts and seeds | Serving size (grams) | Total fiber (grams)* |
|---|---|---|
| Split peas, boiled | 1 cup (196) | 16.0 |
| Lentils, boiled | 1 cup (198) | 15.5 |
| Black beans, boiled | 1 cup (172) | 15.0 |
| Cannellini, Navy, Great Northern beans, canned | 1 cup (180) | 13 |
| Chia seeds | 1 ounce (28.35) | 10.0 |
| Almonds | 1 ounce, about 23 nuts (28.35) | 3.5 |
| Pistachios | 1 ounce, about 49 nuts (28.35) | 3.0 |
| Sunflower kernels | 1/4 cup (32) | 3.0 |
*Rounded to nearest 0.5 gram.
Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Legacy Release
All the foods listed are good options to boost your daily fiber amount. And some options can be combined, too.
For example, 1 cup of raspberries added to 1 cup of cooked oatmeal with half a serving of almonds could provide about 13.5 grams of fiber. A bean and vegetable salad may provide about 11 grams of additional fiber.
Together those two meal ideas supply most of the daily fiber goal for people who consume 2,000 calories a day.
Combined or alone, these nutritious choices are some of the many options for boosting your fiber intake.
Reference :
- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/. Accessed July 10, 2023.
- Duyff, RL. Carbs: Sugars, starches, and fiber. In: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 5th ed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2017.
- Interactive nutrition facts label. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/InteractiveNutritionFactsLabel/#intro. Accessed July 10, 2023.
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Legacy Release. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov. Accessed July 10, 2023.
