Fiber: Best Sources

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Major dietary sources of fiber include whole grain cereals, breads, legumes (dried beans), fruits, and vegetables.

Fiber is the indigestible part of the carbohydrate; it does not provide any calories because our digestive tract does not have the enzymes needed to break it down. Fiber falls into two broad categories: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble Fiber:

  • May decrease serum (blood) cholesterol levels
  • May decrease blood sugar levels

Insoluble Fiber:

  • Helps to decrease and prevent constipation
  • Helps prevent diverticulitis
  • Decreases risk of colon cancer

Be aware that sudden excessive intake of fiber may result in intestinal gas, bloating, and cramps. These reactions will subside once your body adjusts to the increased fiber intake.

BEST SOURCES OF FIBER
FOOD AMOUNT FIBER
Pinto beans 1/2 cup 10.3 g
Kidney beans 1/2 cup 8.2 g
Corn, cooked 1/2 cup 4.7 g
Lentils 1/2 cup 4.5 g
Peas, cooked 1/2 cup 4.4 g
Apple, with skin 1 medium 4.2 g
Black-eyed peas 1/2 cup 4.1 g
Garbanzo beans 1/2 cup 4.0 g
Pear, ‘Bartlett’ 1 medium 4.0 g
Almonds 1/4 cup 3.9 g
Whole-wheat pasta, cooked 1 cup 3.7 g
Brussels sprouts, cooked 1/2 cup 3.6 g
Split peas 1/2 cup 3.4 g
Sweet potato 1 medium 3.4 g
Sesame seeds 1/4 cup 3.3 g
Prunes, dried 4 3.1 g
Carrot raw 1 medium 2.6 g
Orange 1 medium 2.5 g
Potato, with skin 1 medium 2.4 g
Banana 1 medium 2.3 g
Whole-wheat bread 1 slice 2.2 g
Sunflower seeds 1/4 cup 2.2 g
Green beans, cooked 1/2 cup 2.0 g
Brown rice 1/2 cup 1.8 g

–courtesy cyberdiet.com

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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