The current American diet averages only about 10 grams of dietary fiber, whereas intakes of 25 to 40 grams are linked to a reduced risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and other intestinal disorders.
An ideal amount of fiber can be obtained daily from the following foods:
The following lists the dietary fiber in selected foods. Vegetables, fruits, breads, crackers, cereals, and nuts are listed separately.
| Selected foods | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk and milk products | 0 | |
| Meats | 0 | |
| Eggs | 0 | |
| Beans, baked | 1/2 cup | 11.0 |
| Chili with beans | 1/2 cup | 8.6 |
| Fats, mayonnaise, margarine, dressings, etc. | 0 | |
| Popcorn | 1 cup | 0.4 |
| Vegetable | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 4 medium spears | 0.9 |
| Avocado | 1/2 | 2.2 |
| Beets, boiled | 1/2 cup | 2.1 |
| Broccoli | 1/2 cup | 3.2 |
| Brussels sprouts | 1/2 cup | 2.3 |
| Carrots, boiled | 1/2 cup | 2.3 |
| Carrots, raw | 1 | 2.3 |
| Celery, raw | 1 stalk | 0.7 |
| Corn, off the cob | 1/3 cup | 3.1 |
| Corn, on the cob | 1 ear | 5.9 |
| Eggplant, peeled and cooked | 1/2 cup | 2.5 |
| Lettuce | 6 medium leaves | 0.7 |
| Mushrooms, raw | 1/2 cup | 0.7 |
| Peas, boiled | 1/2 cup | 4.2 |
| Potato, baked with skin | 1 medium | 3.0 |
| Potato, boiled and peeled | 1 medium | 2.7 |
| Potato, French-fried | 10 pieces | 1.6 |
| Potato, mashed, with milk | 1/2 cup | 0.9 |
| Spinach, cooked | 1/2 cup | 5.7 |
| Sweet potato, cooked | 1.5 - 2 inches | 3.5 |
| Tomato, raw | 1 medium | 2.0 |
| Tomato juice | 1/2 cup | 0 |
| Tomato sauce | 1/2 cup | 2.6 |
| Fruits | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple, with peel | 1 medium | 3.3 |
| Apple juice | 0 | |
| Apple sauce | 1/2 cup | 2.6 |
| Apricots | 2 medium | 1.6 |
| Banana | 1/2 medium | 1.6 |
| Cantaloupe | 1/4 | 1.6 |
| Dates, dried | 5 | 3.1 |
| Fig, dried | 1 medium | 2.4 |
| Grapefruit, fresh | 1/2 | 0.6 |
| Grapes, seedless | 12 | 0.3 |
| Nectarine | 1 medium | 3.0 |
| Orange | 1 small | 2.4 |
| Peach, fresh | 1 medium | 1.4 |
| Pear, fresh | 1 medium | 2.6 |
| Pineapple, fresh | 1/2 cup | 0.9 |
| Prunes, uncooked | 2 medium | 2.0 |
| Raisins | 2 tablespoons | 1.2 |
| Raspberries | 1/2 cup | 4.6 |
| Strawberries | 1/2 cup | 1.7 |
| Bread / Cracker | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked wheat bread | 1 slice | 2.1 |
| Hot dog bun | 1 | 1.2 |
| Hamburger bun | 1 | 1.2 |
| Pumpernickel bread | 1 slice | 1.2 |
| Raisin bread | 1 slice | 0.4 |
| Rye bread | 1 slice | 1.2 |
| White bread | 1 slice | 0.8 |
| Whole wheat bread | 1 slice | 2.1 |
| Rye crackers | 3 (3 1/2 inch) | 2.3 |
| Saltine crackers | 4 squares | 0 |
| Cereal | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| All-Bran | 1/3 cup | 9.0 |
| Bran Buds | 1/3 cup | 8.0 |
| Crackling Bran | 1/3 cup | 4.0 |
| Raisin Bran | 1/3 cup | 4.0 |
| Nuts | Amount | Dietary Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter | 2 tablespoons | 2.4 |
| Peanuts, roasted | 1/4 cup | 2.9 |
| Spanish peanuts | 10 | 0.7 |
| Walnuts, chopped | 1/4 cup | 1.6 |
Copyright © 2007 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. www.healthnotes.com
Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more about the authors of Healthnotes.
The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.