Benefits For Your Heart, Weight, and Energy

Start Your Day With Whole Grains

Americans don't eat enough fiber. On average, we get less than half of what we need of this nutrient that can lower cholesterol, prevent constipation, and improve digestion. Most whole grains are a great source of fiber. Start at breakfast: Look for whole-grain cereal or oatmeal with 3 or more grams of fiber per serving. Add fruit and you'll be on your way to the daily goal of 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women.

Fiber and Fresh Fruit

Any type of fresh fruit is a healthy snack. But when it comes to fiber, all fruits are not created equal. One large Asian pear has a whopping 9.9 grams of fiber. Other high-fiber fruits include raspberries (4 grams per 1/2 cup), blackberries (3.8 grams per 1/2 cup), bananas (2.4 grams each), and blueberries (2 grams per 1/2 cup). Pears and apples -- with the skin on -- are also high-fiber choices.

Try Whole-Grain Bread and Crackers

Keep the grains coming at lunch. Eat a sandwich on whole-grain bread. Or dip whole-grain crackers into your favorite healthy spread. Whole grains include the entire grain -- bran, germ, and endogerm -- giving you all the nutrients of the grain. Studies show that adding whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your diet may also reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Eat Your Vegetables

High-fiber veggies include artichoke hearts, green peas, spinach, corn, broccoli, and potatoes. But all vegetables have some fiber -- from 1 to 2 grams per 1/2-cup serving. To boost your fiber intake, add vegetables to omelets, sandwiches, pastas, pizza, and soup. Or try adding interesting vegetables -- such as beets, jicama, Jerusalem artichokes, or celeriac -- to a salad or other meals.

Fiber in Dried Fruit

Prunes are well known for their ability to help digestion. That's in part because of their fiber content -- about 3.8 grams in a 1/2 cup. Most dried fruits are loaded with fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements and relieve constipation. Try having a handful of dried figs, dates, raisins, or apricots as a snack. Or chop them up and sprinkle on top of cereal or whole-grain dishes.

Fiber From Beans

From adzuki to Great Northern, beans are high in fiber, packed with protein, and low in fat. Try eating beans instead of meat twice a week for a fiber boost. Use them in soups, stews, salads, casseroles, eggs, and with rice and pasta dishes. Or boil edamame beans for four minutes and sprinkle with salt for a healthy snack. Be sure to wash down all that extra fiber with plenty of water to avoid constipation and gas.

Fiber in Peas and Other Legumes

Lentils and peas are related to beans and share their dietary profile -- high in fiber and protein and low in fat. Lentils cook more quickly than most other legumes and are a favorite in soups and stews. Cooked chickpeas can be added whole to salads, or blended to make hummus. All legumes are a healthy addition to your diet. But add them slowly to help prevent bloating and gas.

Nuts, Seeds, and Fiber

Many people steer clear of nuts and seeds because they tend to be high in calories and fat. However, they can be a great source of fiber and other nutrients. A 1/4 cup of sunflower seed kernels, for example, has 3.9 grams of fiber. One ounce of almonds has 3.5 grams. Try adding chopped nuts or seeds to salads or yogurt. Or enjoy a handful of roasted nuts or seeds for a healthy afternoon snack.

Enjoy Whole Grains with Dinner

Enjoy brown rice instead of white with your meal. Or try whole-grain noodles. For something different, make a dish with millet, quinoa, or bulgur -- whole grains that are packed with fiber. Worried that grains cause weight gain? Adding fiber to your diet can actually help prevent weight gain by making you feel fuller longer. Fiber-rich foods also require more chewing -- giving your body more time to feel full.

Add Flaxseed for Fiber

The seed of the flax plant can be an excellent source of fiber, providing 2.8 grams per tablespoon of whole seeds. Flaxseed is often used as a laxative. But studies have shown that it also may help reduce cholesterol levels and decrease hot flashes. Add whole flaxseeds to breads or other baked goods. Or sprinkle ground flaxseed into a smoothie or onto cooked vegetables.

Buy Fiber-Enriched Foods

If you can't work another serving of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, or whole grains into your diet, consider eating a food enriched with fiber. It's easy to find cereal, snack bars, toaster pastries, pasta, and yogurt fortified with extra fiber.