 Table
of Contents |
 Fiber |
Fiber (also
called roughage or bulk) is found naturally in many foods. It adds
extra bulk to your foods by expanding like a sponge when eaten. This
can help prevent overeating, and decrease hunger between meals.
Fiber has many health benefits. It helps
prevent constipation that may be caused by the medicines you are taking.
It also helps lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Fiber also
can help lower blood sugar for people with diabetes.
Because many high-fiber foods are
also high in potassium and phosphorus, the renal patient must
be careful when choosing foods that are a good source or fiber. The
list below contains higher fiber foods that are lower in potassium
and phosphorus and are safe for you to eat every day.
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Tips for Preventing
Constipation
- Eat all the fruits and vegetables
planned for you each day in your diet.
- Drink all the fluid planned
for you in your diet.
- Exercise can be helpful in alleviating
constipation. Ask your doctor about what type of exercise
is right for you.
- Begin adding high-fiber foods
to your daily intake, but do so slowly. Increasing fiber too
quickly may cause gas, bloating and cramps.
- Try to include at least one
high-fiber food from this list with every meal.
- If these suggestions fail, try
using powdered cellulose such as Unifiber as a dietary
supplement.
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Higher Fiber Fruits
(Count each as 1 fruit serving on your meal plan)
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Higher Fiber Vegetables
(Count each as 1 vegetable serving on your meal plan)
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Fresh apple with skin
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1 small
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Raw cabbage
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½ cup
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Fresh blackberries
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½ cup
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Raw carrot
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1 small
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Fresh blueberries
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½ cup
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Raw celery stalk
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1
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Fresh cherries
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½ cup
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Fresh cucumber
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½ cup
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Fresh grapefruit
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½ small
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Raw sweet green pepper
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½ cup
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Fresh grapes
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15
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Lettuce, all kinds
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1 cup
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Fresh pear with skin
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1 small
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Radish
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½ cup
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Fresh plum with skin
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1 medium
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Raw zucchini
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½ cup
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Fresh raspberries
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½ cup
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Fresh strawberries
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½ cup
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Fresh tangerine
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1 small
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Higher Fiber Starches
(Count each as 1 starch serving on your meal plan)
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Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran
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¾ cup
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Wheatena
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½ cup, cooked
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Ralston Wheat Chex
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¾ cup
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Ralston 100% Milled Wheat hot cereal
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½ cup
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General Mills Wheaties
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¾ cup
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Brown rice
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½ cup, cooked
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Quaker or Nabisco Shredded Wheat
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1 biscuit
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Unsalted, Microwave popcorn
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1 ½ cups
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Quaker Oats
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½ cup cooked
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About the Author:
Stephen Z. Fadem, M.D. —
© 1996–2026 Stephen Z. Fadem, M.D., FACP, all rights reserved. —
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