Dietary fiber is defined as indigestible carbohydrate. It’s classified into soluble (in water) and insoluble fiber – each with specific properties and possible health benefits. Soluble fiber dissolves in water; it forms a gel when water is added to it. Insoluble fiber absorbs liquid and in the intestine it adds bulk to stool. Both types of fiber are important in the diet and have digestive system benefits.
But fiber can be a double-edged sword for persons with intestinal disorders. Certain high fiber foods, such as bran, may increase discomfort.
If you find that fiber seems to be a problem that causes you to feel bloating or pain, it is usually insoluble fiber (mainly found in cereals or whole grains) that is the problem. Soluble fiber, mainly found in vegetables and fruits, is less likely to be a problem. But the reaction is the opposite in some people, so trial and error may be the best option.
When adding fiber to the diet, it is best to do so slowly over a period of weeks. If gas or distention occur, try reducing the dose of fiber and reducing consumption of gas-producing foods, such as beans, cabbage, legumes (e.g., peas, peanuts, soybeans), apples, grapes, and raisins.
A physician or registered dietitian can provide individual advice on dietary fiber consumption.
Are you looking for a Registered GI Dietitian to help with dietary fiber?
How much fiber should be in your diet?
The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, gives the following daily recommendations for adults: 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women 50 and younger; 30 grams for men and 21 grams for women 51 and older.
A sampling of dietary fiber content of foods (appx. g/serving)
Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 17
Vegetables
| Food | Serving Size | Grams of Fiber |
| Beans (navy), cooked | 1/2 cup | 9.5 |
| Beans (pinto, black), cooked | 1/2 cup | 7.7 |
| Chickpeas (garbanzo beans), cooked | 1/2 cup | 6.2 |
| Lentils, cooked | 1/2 cup | 7.8 |
| Potato (with skin), baked | 1 potato | 4.4 |
| Peas (frozen), cooked | 1/2 cup | 4.4 |
| Mixed Veggies (frozen), cooked | 1/2 cup | 4.0 |
| Soybeans, cooked | 1/2 cup | 3.8 |
| Broccoli, cooked | 1/2 cup | 2.5 |
| Carrots, cooked | 1/2 cup | 2.3 |
| Carrots, raw | 1 carrot | 2.0 |
| Green beans, cooked | 1/2 cup | 2.0 |
| Sweet corn (on the cob), cooked | 1 ear | 1.8 |
| Vegetable soup (Progresso™) | 1 cup | 1.4 |
| Lettuce (romaine), raw | 1 cup | 1.2 |
| Lettuce (green leaf), raw | 1 cup | 0.7 |
| Celery, raw | 1 stalk | 0.6 |
Fruits
| Food | Serving Size | Grams of Fiber |
| Raspberries (sweetened), frozen | 1/2 cup | 5.5 |
| Pears, raw | 1 pear | 5.1 |
| Raspberries, raw | 1/2 cup | 4.0 |
| Blackberries, raw | 1/2 cup | 3.8 |
| Apples (with skin), raw | 1 apple | 3.3 |
| Oranges, raw | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Bananas, raw | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Raisins (1 miniature box), seedless | 14 g | 0.6 |
| Pears, canned in syrup | 1/2 cup | 2.2 |
| Grapefruit (pink and red), raw | 1/2 grapefruit | 2.0 |
| Grapefruit (white), raw | 1/2 grapefruit | 1.3 |
| Orange juice (unsweetened), frozen concentrate | 6-fl-oz can | 1.7 |
| Applesauce (sweetened), canned | 1/2 cup | 1.5 |
Grains
| Food | Serving Size | Grams of Fiber |
| Barley (pearled), cooked | 1/2 cup | 3.0 |
| Oat bran, cooked | 1/2 cup | 2.8 |
| Rice (brown), cooked | 1/2 cup | 1.7 |
| Rice (white, long-grained), instant | 1/2 cup | 0.5 |
| Bagels | 4″ bagel | 2.0 |
| Bread, whole-wheat, rye | 1 slice | 1.9 |
| Spaghetti, cooked | 1/2 cup | 1.7 |
| Bread, raisin | 1 slice | 1.1 |
Cereals (including brand names)
| Food | Serving Size | Grams of Fiber |
| Kellogg’s All-Bran | 1/2 cup | 8.8 |
| Kellogg’s Raisin Bran | 1/2 cup | 3.6 |
| Wheatena, cooked with water | 1/2 cup | 3.3 |
| Shredded wheat, plain no sugar | 2 biscuits | 5.5 |
| Quaker Oats, honey and raisins | 1/2 cup | 4.2 |
| Quaker Low-fat Natural Granola with Raisins | 1/2 cup | 2.8 |
| Quaker Instant Oatmeal, apples and cinnamon, with boiling water | 1 packet | 2.7 |
| Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats | 1/2 cup | 2.5 |
| General Mills Raisin Nut Bran, Total Raisin Bran | 1/2 cup | 2.5 |
| General Mills Cheerios | 1/2 cup | 1.8 |
| General Mills Wheaties | 1/2 cup | 1.5 |
| General Mills Lucky Charms | 1/2 cup | 0.7 |
| Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes | 1/2 cup | 0.7 |
| Kellogg’s Apple Jacks | 1/2 cup | 0.5 |
| General Mills Golden Grahams | 1/2 cup | 0.6 |
| General Mills Trix | 1/2 cup | 0.4 |
| Kellogg’s Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies | 1/2 cup | 0.4 |
| Kellogg’s Special K, Corn Flakes | 1/2 cup | 0.3 |
| Quaker Cap’n Crunch | 1/2 cup | 0.3 |
| General Mills Rice Chex | 1/2 cup | 0.1 |
Other
| Food | Serving Size | Grams of Fiber |
| Soup, bean with ham (canned) | 1 cup | 11.2 |
| Pasta with meatballs, tomato sauce, canned | 1 cup | 6.8 |
| Soup, Progresso Classic Lentil™, canned | 1 cup | 5.6 |
| Baked pork and beans (canned) | 1/2 cup | 5.0 |
| French fried potatoes, fast food | 1 medium | 4.7 |
| Mixed nuts, dry roasted with peanuts and salt | 1 oz | 2.6 |
| Peanuts, dry roasted with salt | appx 28 (1 oz) | 2.3 |
| Chocolate Milk | 1 cup | 2.0 |
| Tortilla chip snacks | 1 oz | 1.8 |
| Cheese pizza, regular crust, frozen | 1 serving | 1.4 |
| Potato chip snacks, plain, salted | 1 oz | 1.3 |
Read More about Diet and Treatment
Information taken from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.
