Cooking Harmony

Gluten-Free Comfort Food on a Tight Budget

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How to Eat More Fiber: The Top 35 Fiber Foods You Can Buy for Meal Prep (Ranked and Reviewed)

Tired of poor gut health that can lead to constipation?

What you need are whole foods that contain fiber to improve digestion and decrease abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea.

Let’s compare the most popular whole foods to add to your grocery lists.

Here are the top picks.

Grains and Cereals

FOODSERVING
SIZE
FIBER
GRAMS
Fiber One2/3 cup18
Raisin Bran1 cup
(59 grams)
8
Quinoa, cooked1 cup5
Dave’s Killer Bread
21 Whole Grains
1 slice5
Whole Grain
Spaghetti,
cooked
1 cup4
Steel Cut Oats,
cooked
0.5 cups4
Brown rice,
cooked
1 cup4
Popcorn, popped3 cups3.5
100% Whole
wheat bread
1 slice3

Fiber One

Overall Rating
5.0

Eat this breakfast cereal every day to maximize your fiber intake. Start with a half serving and add a half serving of your favorite ready-to-eat cereal, such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios, or Raisin Bran. Gradually add more fiber to your diet over several weeks so your body will adjust more smoothly.

Dave’s Killer 21 Whole Grains

Overall Rating
5.0

The whole grains and seeds work together to provide bold flavor and a chewy texture. Dave’s Killer Bread works great for toast or a quick sandwich.

100% Whole Wheat Bread

Overall Rating
4.0

Not a big fan of seeds in or on your bread? Whole wheat bread may be the right choice for you. It has a clean wheat taste and is soft enough for a peanut butter sandwich with your favorite jam or jelly. 

Quinoa

Overall Rating
5.0

Cook these tiny seeds the same way you would boil rice in a covered pan or rice cooker. Freshly cooked quinoa soaks up flavor when you add a balsamic vinegar dressing. Try this recipe: Romaine Lettuce Salad with Chicken and Quinoa

Whole Grain Spaghetti

Overall Rating
4.0

Swap your regular spaghetti for whole grain spaghetti every time you boil water to cook pasta. You will boost your fiber intake and increase your intake of B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.

Popcorn

Overall Rating
4.0

Popcorn is a whole grain! Who knew?

Vegetables

FOODSERVING
SIZE
FIBER
GRAMS
Green peas,
cooked
1 cup  
(145 grams)
8
Butternut 
Squash, baked
1 cup, cubed
(205 grams)
6.5
Potato,
with skin,
baked
1 medium4
Brussels Sprouts1 cup (88 grams)3.5
Pepper, sweet,
red
1 cup (149 grams)3
Cucumber8.5 inch (301 grams)1.5
Kale, chopped1 cup (121 grams)1

Green Peas

Overall Rating
5.0

Make an English pea salad or a layered lettuce salad if you like your peas chilled. Cooked peas can be added to rice, quinoa, or a pasta bowl.

Brussels Sprouts

Overall Rating
4.0

Mellow the bold flavor of broccoli’s cousin by roasting it until it is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Add milder vegetables to provide even more balance and flavor. Try carrots, sweet potatoes, or cubed butternut squash.

Kale

Overall Rating
3.0

Nutrient-rich kale is a superfood known for its high levels of antioxidants. Unfortunately, kale and lettuce are not high in fiber. Add vegetables to your salad (red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, and carrots) to boost your fiber intake.

Fruit

FOODSERVING
SIZE
FIBER
GRAMS
Raspberries,
fresh
1 cup
(123 grams)
8
Blueberries,
fresh
1 cup
(148 grams)
3.5
Orange1 small
(131 grams)
3
Tropical fruit,
canned
1 cup
(257 grams)
3
Raisins1/4 cup
(41 grams)
3
Dates,
pitted
2 (48 grams)3
Apple1 small
(132 grams)
2

Raspberries

Overall Rating
5.0

For a delicious spinach salad, arrange spinach leaves on a plate. Pour a bag of frozen raspberries on top of the spinach. The raspberries will thaw and form a dressing for the spinach. Add a vinaigrette dressing (for additional flavor) and a crunchy topping like sliced almonds or chopped walnuts.

Blueberries

Overall Rating
4.0

Make a yogurt parfait with fresh or frozen blueberries, yogurt, and granola. Top your oatmeal with blueberries and banana slices. Add blueberries to your pancake or muffin batter.

Oranges

Overall Rating
4.0

Choose a Mandarin variety (“cutie”) for easy peeling and a great snack. Eat whole fruit at a meal or a snack instead of fruit juice that has the fiber removed.

Apples

Overall Rating
4.0

Apples are another great snack. Choose from varieties that are sweet, tart, crisp, or smooth. Pair with some nut butter or a handful of nuts for protein and flavor.

Protein

FOODSERVING
SIZE
FIBER
GRAMS
Split peas,
cooked
1 cup
(196 grams)
16
Lentils,
cooked
1 cup
(198 grams)
15.5
Black beans,
cooked
1 cup
(172 grams)
15
Cannellini,
Navy beans,
cooked
1 cup
(180 grams)
13
Edamame,
cooked
1 cup
(155 grams)
8

Split Peas

Overall Rating
5.0

Use split peas to make a ham or vegetarian soup. Add a salad and crusty bread for a quick meal.

Lentils

Overall Rating
5.0

Lentils require no soaking, and cook in 15 minutes. Try a lentil soup or stew for a high-protein, budget-friendly meal.

Cannellini and Navy Beans

Overall Rating
5.0

Beans come in many varieties – red, black, white, and speckled pinto beans. Rinse and drain canned beans and add them to soups, stews, or your favorite bowl recipe. Use chickpeas or beans to make your own hummus.

Edamame

Overall Rating
5.0

Look for shelled edamame in the freezer section of the grocery store. Swap edamame for beans that you normally use in your rice dishes or salads for a smooth, slightly sweet flavor.

Healthy Fats

FOODSERVING
SIZE
FIBER
GRAMS
Chia Seeds1 ounce
(28.35 grams)
10
Avocado1 medium
(136 grams)
7
Flaxseed2 tablespoons
(14 grams)
4
Almonds1 ounce
(23 each)
3.5
Peanuts1/4 cup
(36 grams)
3.5
Sunflower
Seeds
1/4 cup
(36 grams)
3
Walnut
Halves
14 each
(28.35 grams)

Chia Seed

Overall Rating
5.0

Let a mixture of chia seeds and milk sit overnight in the refrigerator to make pudding. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds to your smoothie to boost your fiber and omega-3 fatty acid intake.

Avocado

Overall Rating
5.0

Top your toast with avocado for a good source of monounsaturated fat. Use avocado as a salad topping instead of cheese.

Flaxseed

Overall Rating
4.0

Add flax seeds to your yogurt, oatmeal, or salad. You can purchase flax seeds whole or ground. The ground flax or flax meal is preferred so your gut can absorb the healthy fats (polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids).

Sunflower Seeds

Overall Rating
3.0

These small tender seeds have a nutty flavor and are a good source of antioxidants, Vitamin E, and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. Use them to add crunch to your homemade granola and salads, or enjoy a handful for a quick snack.

“It’s not so much about eating only the foods with the highest fiber content in each food group. It’s more about eating a variety of foods every day to get the fiber and nutrients that you need.” 

Lenore Wespetal

Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

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