Discharge Instructions: Eating a High-Fiber Diet

Your healthcare provider has prescribed a high-fiber diet for you. Fiber is what gives strength and structure to plants. Most grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits contain fiber. Foods rich in fiber are often low in calories and fat, but they fill you up more. These foods may also reduce the risk of certain health problems.

There are 2 types of fiber:

• Insoluble fiber. This is found in whole grains, cereals, and certain fruits and vegetables (such as apple skins, corn, and beans). Insoluble fiber is made up mainly of plant cell walls. It may prevent constipation and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

• Soluble fiber. This type of fiber is found in oats, beans, nuts, and certain fruits and vegetables (such as strawberries and peas). Soluble fiber turns to gel in the digestive system, slowing the movement of the digestive tract. It helps control blood sugar levels and can reduce cholesterol, which may help lower the risk of heart disease. Soluble fiber can also help control appetite.

Home care

• Know how much fiber you need a day. The recommended daily amount of fiber is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. After age 50, daily fiber needs drop to 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men.

• Start by slowly adding high fiber foods into your diet over the course of a week or two if you haven't been eating a lot of fiber. This will help your body adjust. It will help prevent digestive problems that can occur if you add too much fiber to your diet all at once.

• Drink plenty of fluids as you increase the fiber in your diet. This will help prevent constipation.

• Ask your healthcare provider about a fiber supplement. Always take fiber supplements with a large glass of water.

• Keep track of how much fiber you eat.

• Eat a variety of foods high in fiber.

• Learn to read and understand food labels.

• Ask your healthcare provider how much water you should be drinking.

• Look for these high-fiber foods:

  • Whole-grain breads and cereals

    • 6 ounces a day give you about 18 grams of fiber (1 ounce is equal to 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of dry cereal, or 1/2 cup of cooked rice).

    • Include wheat and oat bran cereals, whole-wheat muffins or toast, and corn tortillas in your meals.

  • Fruits 

    • 2 cups a day give you about 8 grams of fiber.

    • Apples, oranges, strawberries, pears, and bananas are good sources.

    • Fruit juice does not contain as much fiber as the fruit it was made from.

  • Vegetables

    • 2½ cups a day give you about 11 grams of fiber. Add asparagus, carrots, broccoli, peas, and corn to your meals.

  • Legumes

    • 1/4 cup a day (in place of meat) gives you about 4 grams of fiber. Try navy beans, lentils, chickpeas, and soybeans.

  • Seeds 

    • A small handful of seeds gives you about 3 grams of fiber. Try sunflower seeds.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment, or as advised. Ask your healthcare provider if seeing a registered dietitian may help you plan a high-fiber diet.