High Fiber

Question: What foods do you recommend for a high fiber diet? I am dealing with hemorrhoids, and I'm only twenty two, but they have gotten pretty bad. As a result, i'm trying to eat a high fiber diet. Usually it consists of --apples and pears --triscuits --raisin bran/raisin nut bran --oatmeal --whole grain pasta Can anyone tell me what foods they eat that help them increase fiber in their diet? I know that regular fruits and veggies should do the trick, but its not in this case. I am going to see my doctor tomorrow, because its gotten so bad, but whether or not i have to have it surgically removed, I am still going to need a high fiber diet. It would be great if there were any snack foods you could suggest that I could munch on throughout the day. I guess you could say I'm looking for very high fiber foods in particular. A super fiber food (if you will). Any suggestions? The more specific the better. Thanks!

Answer: Be careful about suddenly increasing your daily fiber intake. If you suddenly add large amounts of fiber to your diet, you may experience bloating, diarrhea, and severe stomach cramping. It is best to add fiber to your diet gradually, eating small amounts of fiber rich foods. Additional fiber can be added slowly until you are consuming a healthy amount. Tips for Eating Fiber * Eat a variety of foods * Do not completely rely on fiber supplements * Limit your intake of processed foods * Increase your fiber intake gradually * Try to consume 25 to 35 grams of fiber every day Types of Fiber There are two main types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers dissolve in water. Soluble fibers include: pectin, guar, carrageenan, gums, mucilage, and oat bran. Insoluble fibers do not dissolve in water. Insoluble fibers include cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.

Question: What is a really good, natural food that is high in fiber? I try to eat high or moderately high fiber cereals most days. Unless you eat about 8 bowls though, none of them are going to give you all the fiber you need. And in terms of general nutrition, that would be way too much cereal anyway. Are there any fruits or vegetables that are very high in fiber and are reasonably nutritious in general?

Answer: You can get plenty of fiber in your cereals along with fruits, vegetables, & whole grains. In fact, many cereals--including Raisin Bran (anything "bran" really) and just about anything by Kashi, will be high in fiber. Oatmeal is good (like some here have mentioned & for other reasons, but at 3gm a service--only a modest amount for a "grain"). And celery, like most veggies has fiber--but not this huge amount someone else claimed (maybe 2 gm). Biggest thing everyone here has forgotten to mention--many BEANS are very high in fiber. Forget about those BBQ beans with all the added sugar though... Bowl of Raisin Bran: 8gm 1/2 cup pinto beans: 8gm Apple: 3-4gm Pear: 3gm (medium) potato w/skin 4gm Sandwich w/typical whole wheat bread: 6gm There you go--easy 32-33 gm in one day! Just don't forget the water--the more fiber you eat, the more you'll need to drink! And yes, just like everything--more is NOT better. But since most people get something like 10-15 gm/day--I wouldn't worry about it. Gradually increase your intake with a goal of 25-35 gm day...

Question: What is the tastiest high fiber food that you can offer a child? I feel like I am running out of options. The high fiber o's I bought taste like dog food, she won't eat prunes or raisins. The gnu bars from trader joe's are disgusting to her. What can I offer my 7 year old that she will enjoy and that will be good for her digestive system. She is in pain when she goes to the bathroom and bleeds at times with bowel movements. Help me!

Answer: Oatmeal every morning - cooked from steel cut oats the night before, microwaved to heat it up. I change it up with sliced canned peaches and cereal cream On special occasions I put in a packet of mini-Oreo cookies and add milk A hand full of blue-berries and maple syrup is good A grated apple, cinnamon and brown sugar with milk is good. Serve all of the above with a fresh sliced orange, make sure she drinks lots of water through out the day. Cut sugar, white flour, high fat snacks and introduce raw veggies and dip, whole grain breads or crackers. No cold cuts, limit juices. Be sure she exercises everyday. You are the mom, you make the rules.

Question: What cat food is high in fiber for cat that gets constipated? I have a cat that gets constipated often. He has been at the vet several times for it and has had enemas. I noticed that the canned food that he eats has lowered the fiber content. What canned food has a high fiber content that I can switch him to? I have 3 other cats so I prefer to first try a food that is not a prescription food.

Answer: Have you spoken to the vet about any drugs that would help him? Constipated cats can be helped greatly by one or both of the following: lactulose and cisipride (Propulsid). When an all-canned diet isn't enough, then it could be time to add one of the two laxatives. It really isn't pleasant for a cat to get constipated and get enemas, and these drugs can help very much. Has the vet done x-rays to determine if he's got a condition called megacolon? Something you might want to mention at your next trip to the vet.

Question: What are the best foods to eat for a high fiber diet? Like breakfast, lunch and dinner with a grocery list. The price of produce is so high, what about us real folks who don't have mega bucks to spend on all the fancy stuff at the nutrition stores. I want to know some regular ideas for a high fiber lifestyle. Any honest idea's?

Answer: I adopted a high fiber diet about a year and a half ago and I had the same concerns as you about the costs. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. It does get expensive but I try to eat the kinds that happen to be on sale that week, and I also have a garden and grow what I can myself. Also make sure that you don't peel things like apples and potatoes, since they have a lot of fiber in their skins. I eat a lot of oatmeal and other high fiber/low sugar cereals. I've switched from regular pasta to the whole wheat kinds. You really have to read labels when you are looking for things like breads, cereals, tortillas, etc. When looking at the ingredients list look for "100% whole grain" as the first ingredient and stay away from products that list "enriched flour". Check the fiber content on the label also, some breads have none and others have 5 or more grams per serving. Avoid white rice and opt for brown instead. White rice has the fiber stripped from it in processing. You can find recipes for things like whole-wheat pizza crust and whole-wheat pancakes that are affordable to make, taste great, and are high in fiber. It takes a little work but it is possible to eat a high fiber diet without killing your checkbook. It's amazing how much better you will feel after eating this way for a while. Good luck!!!

Question: What is the best time to eat a high fiber meal? What is the best time to eat a high fiber meal such as oatmeal or other whole grain products? It helps reduce cholesterol by combing with cholesterol and fat, and then eliminates it from your body, but if that's all you have in the morning, what good does it do on an empty stomach? Or, would it be best later in the day as your last meal, where it will, in a way clean up what might be left sitting in your intestines?

Answer: Definitely the morning, your body is just starting up along with your bowels. You'll feel the benefit of early morning fibre.

Question: What can I do to reduce discomfort from a high fiber diet? After slacking off, I have jumped back into weight watchers. Over the past few days, I have been eating more and more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and more. I am experiencing discomfort that can result from a high fiber diet, but I really enjoy eating all of the fruits and vegetables I am eating right now. What are some ways to help my body adjust to eating more fiber without reducing the fiber intake? Will drinking water help?

Answer: yes drink lots of water. Fiber binds to the bad stuff in your body and is pulled out through your feces there for drinking more water will help because when your body extracts water from your feces it wont be as bad if you drink more water

Question: How much is a high fiber serving? Im on a low residue diet and always check to see if chips and such are high in fiber. What is a low percentage? Medium percentage? High? I am NOT trying to lose weight or be healthy or anything like that. I suffer from Crohn's disease and am trying to know what i can snack on.

Answer: 10g or more would be high. 3-9g would be moderate. under 2g would be low. Ok.. and Chips?? Dude... You really should stay away from chips. High fiber chips like Sun Chips - also have a good amount of saturated fat too. Just avoid them completely.

Question: What are foods that are high in fiber without eating rabbit food? Can you tell me what foods are high in fiber? I am going on a high fiber diet, and dont really know what is high in fiber, without eating bran cereal which is nasty..thanks

Answer: There's a great bread I get at a normal grocery store that is high in fiber and one serving is 3 slices! It's Pepperidge Farm Light Style Extra Fiber Wheat bread. Also, the Fiber One cereal bars are sooo good and they do have alot of fiber without having a ton of sugar like alot of other cereal bars. I also like to have the Fiber One cereals and yogurts, they're yummy and have a lot of fiber in them. And the cereal is not too high in sugar, either.

Question: what are some foods high in fiber that taste good? my doctor put me on a high fiber, low fat diet. what are some foods high in fiber?

Answer: Grain Products: whole grain breads, buns, bagels, muffins, Bran Flakes, All Bran, bran Buds, Corn bran, whole wheat Shreddies, 100% Bran and Fiber 1, Cooked cereal such as Red River and Oat Bran, whole-wheat pastas, whole grains such as barley, popcorn, corn and brown rice Fruits: dried fruits such as apricots, dates, prunes and raisins berries such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, oranges, apple with skin, avocado, kiwi, mango and pear Vegetables: broccoli, spinach, swiss chard, green peas and other dark green leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans such as kidney beans, lima beans, black-eyed beans, chick peas and lentils Nuts and Seeds*: nuts and seeds such as almonds, whole flaxseed and soynuts Watch your nut intake - they are high in fat (good fat).

Question: What are some examples of high fiber foods? I have a thyroid problem, so i have to take this medication called syntroid. I was wondering what are some high fiber foods i should not eat while i'm on this medication. please help!

Answer: salads and whole grain?

Question: How would a vegetarian do low carb and high fiber? My doctor suggest that I go on a low carb, high fiber diet but I am a vegetarian what would I eat?

Answer: Yikes - I would run away from that doctor as quick as possible. Did you know doctors have less than three hours of nutritional training? They almost always suggest a high dairy, meat eating diet too, sadly. The low carb craze was the worst thing to ever happen to this country, making obese people think they could just eat dead carcass and cut out carbs and lose weight. Which they did - and brainpower. Stay away from simple carbs, like white rice, white bread, ect. Replace them to whole grains, brown rice, ect. KEEP EATING complex carbohydrates!! You need them for normal brain function!! Hope this helps.

Question: What's the best diet for an older cat with chronic constipation? High fiber or meat? She is on medication now, and Royal Canin High Fiber Diet, (canned food). She will eat really well for a few days and then go off her diet, I don't know if she needs a change or what? Her medications are Cisipride ( I hope the spelling is correct) and she is on Lactulose as well. She is 16 yrs of age, and we have had all of her senior bloodwork done, which is all fine.

Answer: Canned is of course best, and some cats with constipation do best on a low-residue diet, as the high fiber one does not work for them. Worth mentioning to the vet of course, and it's worth a switch away from the high-fiber to a high meat one to see if that works better for her. What medications is she on? Things that tend to work well include stool softeners, and both Lactulose and Propulsid (cisipride is I believe the generic). It's not natural for a cat to eat a high-fiber diet, as nature designed them to eat meat. So it's possible she doesn't really like the diet, or goes off her diet when she's getting "backed up".

Question: Does anyone know some high fiber foods that are easy to take on the go? I am always running around, between school and work, and I need to find something that is high in fiber that I can just grab and snack on while in the car. Thanks for any help! Actually I am right, it is "fiber". You are thinking of the word "fibber" which is a liar. I looked it up in the dictionary. There is no such thing as "fibre" I'm sorry, I'm in America and we say "fiber".

Answer: By the way, if you were from England then you will eat 'fibre' in your automovile in your way to a Cricket game. For quick snacks it is hard to beat dried foods like apricots, dates or raisins. Fresh fruit like orange, apple or pears can make an excellent snack. Don't forget or be afraid of almonds, for snacks. Pack with fiber but also good fats and minerals. If you have time to prepare food, then I would recommend baking your own muffins with whole wheat flour. I make mine and add wheat bran or oatmeal bran or flaxseed. Great source of fibre and nutrition are the legumes, like lentils, beans, garbanzo (chickpeas for you English!) Mix your legumes with brown rice and you'll have a great meal loaded with fiber and complete protein. Another great source of fiber are avocados. I enjoy them sliced between whole wheat sandwiches. In a coffee grinder I prepare a mix of flaxseed, almonds and sunflower seeds. This is loaded with a lot of good nutrition and fiber. I use this to sprincle on anything from yogurt, cereal, smoothies, salsas, etc. I put it in a little baggy and have it handy in places like the office, etc.

Question: What are some cereals that are high in fiber kids will eat? I am looking for cereal kids will eat that has high fiber.

Answer: Wholegrain rice krispie cereal Fruity cherrios Yoghurt cherrios Chocolate cherrios Honey nut cherrios Coco puff's Miniwheats * Chocolate chip/ crunchy peanut butter oatmeal And most "General Mills" kid's cereals are wholegrain too. Hope i'v helped, goodluck! Wholewheat toasts- bagels- waffles- english muffins with peanut butter, milk and medium fruit is a good option too!

Question: What foods are high in fiber for a 3 year old? What high fiber foods can I feed my son & what foods to avoid?? My doctor gave me a list but it was contradicting. It said avoid potatoes & then eat potatoes. It also said avoid rice, but eat brown rice. Also we are puerto rican so we eat alot of white rice & red or pink beans. Is that good or bad? Thank you all!

Answer: Excellent sources of fiber are fruits and veggies, especially the skins (on those you can eat), as well as WHOLE grains. Brown rice has more fiber than white rice, so try to switch to that if you're trying to increase fiber in your diet. You should be able to find brown rice, for about the same price as white, at just about any grocery store. Red beans are a good source of fiber, as are pink beans. Potatoes offer some, as well [some types more than others]. But, definitely try to incorporate other fruits veggies into your diet wherever you can--they offer much more than just fiber. And, now is a crucial time to teach your son to eat well and eat fruits and veggies.