Best Foods For Fiber :

What are the best foods to eat for fiber? My doctor told me that I have slightly high cholesterol and to increase my fiber... but didn't tell me how to, or what foods to eat. She said that before I go on medication, she wants me to try a "lifestyle" change. Can you help? Thanks in advance for your advice.
--Willy

Fiber is found in all plant foods. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The good news is that you don't have to worry about knowing which foods have which type of fiber, because most plant foods have some of both.

Think “whole” as in whole grains and whole-grain cereals and breads, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal and crackers. Be sure and eat a variety of different fruits, crunchy vegetables, and whole grains weekly because each have a different amount of soluble and insoluble fiber. Add berries to your whole-grain cereal; start your meals with salad dressed in olive oil and vinegar; eat broccoli, asparagus, legumes and lentils.A couple of cereals are really high in fiber and low in sugar, and are a smart start to your day. For instance, Fiber One has 14 grams of (mostly) insoluble fiber per half-cup serving; Bran Buds has about 18. If you’re not used to eating fiber, add it gradually into your diet, and don’t forget to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid daily (water, herbal tea, sparkling water).

By “lifestyle change” your doctor means that you should get to a healthy weight for your height, gain fitness and modify your usual diet toward one that’s heart-friendly. Sign on to eDiets.com for a free profile, and take the Diet Needs Analysis. We have a number of different programs including the Heart Smart program, which is specifically designed to help lower your cholesterol.

The Heart Smart meal plan is high in fiber (more than 25 grams per day, depending on your personal calorie prescription) and low in saturated fat and sodium. Choose the recipe plan so you can best control added trans fats and salt, avoid fried fast food and join the eDiets Fitness plan for a personalized program that starts out gradually, and challenges you as you gain fitness and strength.

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