Meet Your Fiber Needs

Eating 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily is easy, if you start withbreakfast. "Studies show that individuals who eat fiber-rich cerealand fresh fruit will more likely meet their daily fiber needs,"says Eileen Vincent, MS, RD, a dietitian in the department ofpreventative medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg Schoolof Medicine. Besides the fiber, you'll net a host of vitamins,minerals, and antioxidants to boost your health.

Breakfast
5 grams: 11⁄4 cups bite-sized whole wheat cerealbiscuits (such as bite-sized Shredded Wheat)
1 gram: 2 tablespoons raisins
4 grams: 1 medium banana

Lunch
2 grams: 2 cups mixed greens salad
2 grams: 1⁄4 cup cooked artichoke hearts
2 grams: 3 tablespoons chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 gram: 1 tablespoon slivered almonds

Snack
4 grams: 1 medium pear

Dinner sides
5 grams: 1 cup steamed broccoli
5 grams: 1 (4-ounce) baked sweet potato (with skin)

TOTAL: 31 grams fiber