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Basics
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Summary
Fiber is a substance in plants. Dietary fiber is the kind you eat. It's a type of carbohydrate. You may also see it listed on a food label as soluble fiber or insoluble fiber. Both types have important health benefits.
Good sources of dietary fiber include:
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruit and vegetables
Dietary fiber adds bulk to your diet and makes you feel full faster, helping you control your weight. It helps digestion and helps prevent constipation. Most Americans don't eat enough dietary fiber. But add it to your diet slowly. Increasing dietary fiber too quickly can lead to gas, bloating, and cramps.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Easy Ways to Boost Fiber in Your Daily Diet (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
- How to Get More Fiber in Your Diet (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
-
Rough Up Your Diet: Fit More Fiber Into Your Day
(National Institutes of Health)
Related Issues
- Fiber Supplements: Safe to Take Every Day? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Fiber: The Carb that Helps You Manage Diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Specifics
- Low-Fiber Foods (American Cancer Society)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Children
- Fiber and Your Child (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Fiber (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- High-fiber foods (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Low-fiber diet (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.