Fill Up On Fiber

The benefits of adding fiber to your diet have been touted by doctors and nutritionists for years. Fiber can help prevent heart disease, some cancers and diabetes, as well as lower your blood pressure. It’s also an excellent source of energy, nutrients, and “roughage,” which aids digestion.

Luckily, adding fiber to your meals is pretty easy and can help them taste good, too. Add some or all of these high-fiber foods to your meals to nourish your body and improve your overall health.

Apple – 4.4 grams per medium-sized apple
Artichoke – 10.3 grams per artichoke
Avocado – 10 grams per cup
Bananas – 3 grams per banana
Beets – 3.8 grams per cup
Broccoli – 2.4 grams per cup
Brussels sprouts – 4 grams per cup
Carrots – 3.6 grams per cup
Chia seeds – 10.6 grams per ounce
Chickpeas – 12.5 grams per cup
Kidney beans – 11.3 grams per cup
Lentils – 15.6 grams per cup, cooked
Oats – 16.5 grams per cup, raw
Pears – 5.5 grams per pear
Quinoa – 5.2 grams per cup
Raspberries – 8 grams per cup
Strawberries – 3 grams per cup
Sweet potatoes – 3.8 grams per potato (without skin)

Experiment with recipes and combine ingredients for your own super-fiber culinary creations. If you’re adding a substantial amount of fiber, take it slowly or you will probably experience digestive upsets. Eventually, your body will adjust, and you’ll begin to reap the multiple benefits a fiber-full diet offers.