30 Plant-Based High Fiber Foods

Plant-based fiber is the thing that helps keeps us healthy, satiated, and light.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value for dietary fiber is 25 grams (g) per day. 

Sounds like quite a bit of fiber for one person, but as we slowly drop heavily processed food and pick up more whole-food, plant-based ingredients, we can easily meet the daily fiber recommendations. 

Why Is Fiber Important

Fiber is what helps everything run smoothly – literally. Dietary fiber in food helps keep bowel movement regular. Additionally, it can help improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

According to Mayoclinic, fiber also aids in achieving a healthy weight by providing satiety and fullness in fewer calories for the same volume of food. 

Meeting the daily fiber requirement can be a challenge at first, but understanding two things can help you reach your dietary fiber goals:

1. Look for high fiber foods
2. Consider how to implement these foods in your daily cooking 

What is Soluble & Insoluble Fiber

Soluble fiber pulls in water and is broken down in the gut into a gel-like substance. 

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and is left intact. It adds bulk to stool and helps food pass more quickly. 

Many foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. 

High Fiber Foods

Focus on whole foods. Naturally, whole foods contain high fiber – some more than others. Let’s take a look at some of your options. 

Legumes 

• Cooked Split Peas | 117 kcal | 8.3 grams of fiber 
• Cooked Navy Beans | 140 kcal | 10.5 grams of fiber
• Cooked Lentils | 115 kcal | 7.9 grams of fiber
• Cooked Lima Beans | 114 kcal | 7 grams of fiber
• Cooked Green Peas | 77 kcal | 5.5 grams of fiber
• Cooked Red Kidney Beans | 126 kcal | 7.4 grams of fiber

Whole Grains 

• Cooked Brown Rice | 360 kcal | 4 grams of fiber
• Cooked Whole Grain Barley | 123 kcal | 3.8 grams of fiber 
• Whole Wheat | 375 kcal | 8.9 grams of fiber
• Rolled Oats Oatmeal | 350 kcal | 10 grams of fiber
• Oat Bran | 246 kcal | 15.4 grams of fiber

Fruits

• Avocado | 160 kcal | 6.7 grams of fiber
• Mango | 71 kcal | 2.1 grams of fiber 
• Raspberries | 57 kcal | 6.4 grams of fiber  
• Blackberries | 71 kcal | 5 grams of fiber 
• Pears | 288 kcal | 15 grams of fiber 
• Passion Fruit | 97 kcal | 10.4 grams of fiber 

Vegetables 

• Broccoli | 34 kcal | 2.6 grams of fiber 
• Collard greens | 32 kcal | 4 grams of fiber 
• Artichokes | 50 kcal | 5 grams of fiber
• Brussel Sprouts | 43 kcal | 3.8 grams of fiber 

Nuts & Seeds

• Chia Seeds | 534 kcal | 27.3 grams of fiber 
• Flax Seeds | 534 kcal | 27.3 grams of fiber  
• Pumpkin Seeds | 574 kcal | 6.5 grams of fiber 
• Almonds | 579 kcal | 12.5 grams of fiber 
• Pecans | 691 kcal | 9.6 grams of fiber 
• Sunflower Seeds | 582 kcal | 11.1 grams of fiber
• Peanuts | 567 kcal | 8.5 grams of fiber 
• Buckwheat | 343 kcal | 10 grams of fiber 

Per 100 grams. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture FoodData Central. 

Kcal = calories. 

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How To Increase Fiber Intake?

1. Incorporate Vegetables For Every Meal

A great way to add fiber to your diet is to add it to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner plate. It can either be a side salad or a bowl of steamed mixed vegetables.

One way of including vegetables for breakfast is with a big bowl of savory oats topped with sauteed mushroom, kale, and tofu. 

2. Add Chia Seeds And Flax Seeds To Smoothies 

Just about anything can be added to a smoothie and that includes chia seeds and flax seeds. In two tablespoons of chia seeds, you get 10g of fiber. That’s about 30 percent of the recommended daily fiber. Yes, please! 

If you like a little bit of crunch and texture with your smoothies, make it a smoothie bowl instead and top it off with granola, sliced almonds, and seeds. 

3. Use Cocoa Powder  

Did you know that cocoa powder has 2 grams of fiber per tablespoon? Here’s a reason to add more chocolate to your recipes!

Add cocoa powder to your smoothies, oats, or muffins. It’s a delicious and fun way to include more fiber in a way to your day. 

4. Eat Less Heavily Processed Foods 

Switch out the heavily processed foods with something that is more nutrient-dense. For example, switch out the store-bought jam for slices of berries for your pb&j.

Or, instead of using refined white sugar, incorporate dates instead. 

5. Have A Salad 

It can be a side salad or can be a big bowl of all of your favorite vegetables. My type of salad is one that’s loaded up with my favorite plant-based foods including avocado, lentils, nuts, seeds, corn, bell peppers, and onion. 

A bowl of salad doesn’t have to be boring – make it your own. If you want something hearty, go for a vegan avocado chick’n salad. 

6. Have A Soup 

The great thing about soups? You can add just about anything you want to them – no rules. When I make soups, I grab whatever vegetables I have laying around and a broth/bouillon cube to flavor it up. 

My fiber-rich go-to soup is a hearty bean and lentil chili with a toss of frozen corn. Hearty, filling, and packed with all the stuff that’s easy on your wallet. 

7. Switch White Rice For Brown 

Cooked brown rice has about 4 times the amount of fiber compared to white rice. It’s an easy switch!

If you need some excitement in your brown rice, add some salt and oil/vegan butter.

8. Go For Bread With Nuts, Seeds, And Whole Grain 

A slice of white bread will always hit the spot but grab a loaf speckled with crunch and chew. I am talking about the addition of nuts and seeds. 

You’ll find yourself that one of these dense slices is good enough and will curb your morning hunger. 

9. Have Lentils, Peas, or Beans 

Lentils, peas, and beans have a ridiculous amount of fiber. For example, lentils have about 8 grams of fiber per serving. They are also very affordable and typically easy to find. 

I include lentils just about every day in my plant-based meals – either in a burger, burrito, salad, or soup. 

10. Make Better Choices 

Adding fiber to your diet is exactly that. It doesn’t need to be an entire diet change if you don’t want it to be. Simply add your favorite plant-based, high-fiber foods to your plate. 

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21 High Fiber Recipes 

Ready to take the plunge into an AFFORDABLE plant-based diet? Check out our Guide To A Cheap Plant-Based Diet.