So, let’s take a look at five delicious foods high in fiber.

1. Rice – a plate of rice is an excellent method to get a series of nutrients, including fiber. One cup of brown rice yields 3 1/2 grams of fiber. Plus you’re only limited by your imagination, on the type of rice combination to eat. Pair with beans, broccoli, potato stew, corn, mushrooms, etc. Why brown rice? It’s better because it’s not bleached and stripped, like white rice.

2. Cereal – Another fantastic source of vegetarian fiber is cereal. Many brands including Fiber One and Muesli have fiber-rich options. Look at the label of your favorite cereal box and read how much fiber it carries. If not much, switch to a different variety.

3. Raisins – Need a quick afternoon snack in the office? Grab a box of raisins. Better yet, grab a box of dried fruit which includes raisins for a sweet JOLT of fiber. You won’t spoil dinner or feel heavy at work.

4. Oatmeal – One of my all time favorite breakfast dishes is a bowl of oatmeal, because it’s both nutritious and delicious. So but so, good with maple syrup. Plus it’s especially nice in the cold Winter months. One bowl provides a whopping 4 grams of fiber.

5. Peanut Butter & Banana Bagel Sandwich – If I had to describe this combo in one word, it would be; YUMMY! This is one tasty and nutritious pairing, a peanut butter and banana bagel sandwich can yield 6 to 8 grams of fiber. Not too mention protein, Vitamin E and potassium. But don’t go crazy and fry it, like Elvis did.

It’s SO EASY to get fiber from vegetarian food, it’s not even funny. Your turn. What are some of your favorite tasty foods high in fiber? Share below.

5 Super Foods High In Fiber is from groovy vegetarian

A reader wrote in:
Do you know if whole grain oat cereals are the same, better, or worse than just plain oat bran?

To answer this question and get to the bottom of whole grains, I went straight to a prestigious medical source — the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic has a whole page dedicated to just how great whole grains are and why you should add more to your diet.

image via tvol on flickr

First a definition — whole grains are any grains that haven’t had their brand or germ removed by milling. Sometimes bran or the germ are sold alone, but these do not provide the complete benefits of whole grains.

While all grains are low in fat, good sources of complex carbohydrates, and full of vitamins and minerals, refined grains cut out the nutrient-rich bran and germ. The bran contains extra fiber, essential to digestive health and the germ contains selenium, potassium, magnesium, and other vital vitamins and minerals.

Even if you know how good they are for you, it can be confusing to identify whole grains.

Sources of Whole Grains

Did you know white rice is not a whole grain? But wild riceis!

Couscous, corn flakes, enriched pasta, grits, white rice, and white bread are among the popular foods that use refined grains — avoid these. Brown rice, wild rice, whole wheat (or rice) pasta, bulgur, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, popcorn, and whole wheat bread all contain whole grains — pick these instead.

Eat lots of whole grains — it’s an easy way to improve your diet and your health!  And try to buy organic grains to avoid unhealthy pesticides and herbicides.

(A special thanks to the Mayo Clinic for its excellent and informative page on whole grains!)

Whole Grains — What's the Big Deal? is from groovy vegetarian