How to Increase Fiber in your Diet

Eating foods that are high in fiber can help relieve some problems with constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Dietary fiber may help lower your cholesterol levels. It also may help prevent heart disease.
You might try the following ideas for increasing fiber in your diet:

* Replace white bread with whole-grain breads and cereals. Eat brown rice instead of white rice.
* Eat bran cereal for breakfast. Check package labels for the amounts of dietary fiber in each brand. Some cereals have less fiber than you might think.
* Add 1/4 cup of wheat bran (also called miller's bran) to foods such as cooked cereal, applesauce, or meat loaf. You can buy this in health food stores and many grocery stores.
* Eat cooked beans each week.
* Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Start slowly. Many people notice bloating, cramping, or gas when they start to add fiber to their diet. Making small changes in your diet over a period of time can help prevent this. Start with one of the changes listed above, then wait several days to a week before making another change. If one change does not seem to work for you, try a different one.

It is important to drink more fluids when you increase the amount of fiber you eat. If you do not already drink more than six glasses of liquid a day, drink at least two more glasses of water a day when you increase your fiber intake.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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High Fiber Health