10 High Fiber Vegetables to Add to Your Diet

Who knew adding fiber could be this easy?

We all know that consuming a good amount of fiber is important for our overall health, but do we really know why? Nutrition expert, Meghan Novoshielski MS, RDN, explains: "Eating more high-fiber vegetables is one of the best things people can do for their health.” She adds, "Fiber helps with weight loss, keeps blood sugars stable, protects cardiovascular and digestive health, and fuels a healthy gut microbiome.” And while many vegetables contain an adequate amount of fiber, Novoshielski says that a good rule of thumb for even more fiber is to grab veggies that are darker in color, like beetroot, artichokes, and dark leafy greens such as Swiss chard.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat between 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day, but since many people don’t get enough vegetables in their daily diets, Novoshielski recommends adding high-fiber ingredients (such as veggies) to your meals. For example, you can top your pizza with broccoli and spinach, or add zucchini and tomato to an omelet or frittata.

Want to know which high fiber vegetables to add to your diet? Keep reading for more!

Related:What Vegetables Are In Season Right Now?

Carrots

Did you know that a serving of boiled carrots contains more fiber than raw carrots? But don’t worry, it’s not by much—a cup of boiled carrots has 5 grams of fiber, while a medium-sized raw carrot has about 2 grams. Whether you’re adding them to a salad, curry, or dipping them into delicious hummus, carrots are a great veggie to have on hand each week since they’re so versatile.

Broccoli

It should come as no surprise that broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables to add to your diet. Katherine Gomez, a registered dietitian, notes: “Just one cup of broccoli has about 5 grams of fiber. It also contains antioxidants and vitamin C, which can strength our immune system and lower the risk of chronic illness.”

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is similar to broccoli in that it has many beneficial minerals and vitamins, but it doesn’t contain quite as much fiber. In fact, there’s 2 grams of fiber in a cup of cauliflower, which is about half the amount you'll find in the same serving of broccoli. That being said, cauliflower is still a great vegetable to add to your meals and eat often.

Eggplant

If you love eggplant Parmesan or stuffed eggplant, you’ll be happy to know that those dishes contain a good amount of fiber. Just like cauliflower, eggplant has about 2 grams of fiber per cup.

Related:Clever Tips for Preparing Eggplant to Perfection

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard has about 4 grams of fiber per cup, and is a great green to incorporate into pasta dishes, salads, or a satisfying frittata. Stop by the farmer’s market during the summer and early fall to grab some Swiss chard at its freshest.

Brussels Sprouts

Is there anything more delicious than a bacon-wrapped Brussels sprout with a drizzle of balsamic, or a shredded Brussels sprout salad? These crunchy little green veggies have over 3 grams of fiber per cup, and are truly a superfood. They have plenty of nutritional benefits, and may even protect against certain types of cancer.

Artichokes

When artichokes are in season, they’re one of the most delicious vegetables to enjoy. And since they’re naturally so flavorful, you don’t need to do much other than cook or steam them. Artichokes have about 4 grams of fiber per serving, and are also rich in calcium.

Beets

Beets are considered to be a natural laxative, and it’s certainly because they’re high in fiber at 4 grams per cup. Whether you’re chopping them up for a goat cheese and walnut salad, or making a beautiful Pink Hummus, beets have a mildly sweet flavor that make them the perfect addition to so many dishes.

Related:15 Vegetables High in Protein and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Diet

Spinach

If Popeye taught us anything, it’s that spinach can make us grow big and strong. Katherine Gomez, RD, says: "Spinach has about 4 grams of fiber per cup, and it also contains iron, which is necessary for producing red blood cells.” Enjoy spinach as a side, like in this Spanakopita Creamed Spinach recipe, or mix a handful of it into your favorite pasta dish.

Peas

There’s a reason why peas are usually one of the first vegetables we introduce to babies. "A cup of peas has about 9 grams of fiber, and they are an excellent source of B vitamins, which are crucial for energy metabolism," says Gomez.

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