Did you know that less than 3% of Americans get enough fiber in their diets? It is recommended that women eat 25 grams of fiber per day and men 38 grams. On average, Americans only eat about 50% of the amount of recommended fiber per day.

Eating enough fiber each day has benefits for your overall health.

How can you eat that much fiber?

Eating a balanced and colorful diet, making half your grains whole grains, and aiming for 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day is the easiest way to reach your daily fiber goal.

A word of advice: When eating more fiber, increase intake gradually and make sure that you drink plenty of water to keep things moving and prevent bloating or stomach pain.

Health benefits of fiber:

• Keep you feeling full longer
• Achieve or maintain a healthy weight
• Help maintain a healthy digestive system
• May help lower cholesterol
• Help manage blood sugar levels
• Reduce risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease and certain digestive diseases

Fiber rich foods: 

• Berries (Raspberries, Strawberries, etc.)
• Pears
• Apples
• Whole wheat products
• Split peas
• Lentils
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Artichokes
• Collard greens
• Carrots

Check food labels!

Dietary fiber is included under the Carbohydrates section of the Nutrition Facts panel. Choose products with at least 2 g of fiber per serving.

Easy ways that you can boost your fiber:

• Choose whole grain or whole wheat over white bread products
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. You do not have to eat them raw. Include them in smoothies, soups or add pureed vegetables to your sauces or stews.
• Leave skin on your fruit such as apples and pears. This part of the fruit is often the highest in fiber.
• Sprinkle seeds (such as flax seeds) in your morning cereal, on your oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods or yogurt.

Here is a example of a day that has 25 grams of fiber: 

• Breakfast: Oatmeal (1 cup) topped with half a cup of berries (6g of fiber) 
• Morning snack: 1 orange and handful of almonds (4g of fiber)
• Lunch: Turkey sandwich on 2 slices of whole wheat bread, with tomatoes and lettuce (5g of fiber)
• Afternoon snack: ¼ cup of Hummus with vegetables (5g of fiber)
• Dinner: Grilled chicken with 1 cup of broccoli and ½ sweet potato (6g of fiber)
• Snack: 3 cups popcorn (3.5g fiber) 

Great recipes with fiber rich ingredients:

Breakfast Smoothie (add ground flaxseed to increase fiber)

Veggie Stuffed Pita (use whole wheat pitas)

Chicken Parmesan with Side Salad (use whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread crumbs)