- Dietary Fiber improves stool bulk and transit time
- Dietary Fiber lowers serum Cholesterol
- Fiber content listed below is approximate
- Various texts list different fiber per serving
- Use with 64 oz/day (>1.8 Liters/day) non-caffeinated fluid
- Poorly tolerated in atonic colon (e.g. Megacolon)
- Gas (bloating, Abdominal Distention, Flatulence)
- More common if started too quickly with high dosing
- Reduced by gradually increasing fiber intake to 225-30 grams per day
- Side effects more likely with dyssynergic Defecation
- Side effects are more common with insoluble fiber
- Insoluble fiber examples include (Methylcellulose, Citrucel, wheat bran)
- In contrast, soluble fiber (psyillium, Metamucil, oat bran) is associated with less gas
- May interfere with absorption of medications
- Agents known to be affected
- Dietary Fiber Sources
- Whole grain cereals or breads
- All-Bran or 100% Bran Cereal (>8 grams per serving)
- Wheaties (2.6 grams per serving)
- Shredded Wheat (6 grams per serving)
- Grits (5 grams per serving)
- Grape-nuts (5 grams per serving)
- Fresh fruits
- Raspberries (4.5 grams per serving)
- Fruits with 1-3 grams fiber per serving
- Apple with peal
- Orange
- Peach
- Pear
- Strawberries
- Fruits with negligible fiber
- Grape-fruit has only 0.6 grams fiber per serving
- Apple juice has no fiber content
- Vegetables (raw better than cooked)
- Beans (>8 grams per serving)
- Kidney beans
- Lima beans
- Navy beans
- Baked beans
- Peas (6 grams per serving)
- Corn on the cob (6 grams per serving)
- Parsnips (6 grams per serving)
- Lentils (4 grams per serving)
- Broccoli (3 grams per serving)
- Baked Potato with skin (3 grams per serving)
- Other vegetables with 1-2 grams fiber per serving
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Corn
- Squash
- Green beans
- Turnips
- Beans (>8 grams per serving)
- Other sources
- Whole wheat bread (1.3 grams per serving)
- Brody (1981) Nutrition Book, p. 147
- Cheskin in Barker (1995) Ambulatory Medicine, p. 479