| Foods | Fresh Fruits | Fresh Vegetables | |
| Bran Cereal | Apples | Spinach | Cabbage |
| Whole Grain Cereal | Peaches | Beets | Lettuce |
| Whole Grain Bread | Pears | Carrots | Sweet Potatoes |
| Bananas | Cauliflower | Turnips | |
| Plums | Yams | Broccoli | |
| Brussel Sprouts |
- To increase your dietary fiber, be sure to eat bran cereal and whole wheat bread daily.
- In addition, eat at least two of the fresh fruits and two of the fresh vegetables listed above, each day.
- Avoid canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, instant “quick-cooking” foods, and convenience type snack foods.
Supplement this High Fiber Diet with the Following:
1. Benefiber- 1-2 Tablespoons, up to three times daily in liquid or soft foods or Perdiem, Metamucil Citrucel, or Konsyl (or any other bulk agent) or Miller’s Bran 4-6 tablespoons each day (available in Health Food Stores).
2. If bowel movements are particularly hard, use Miralax seventeen grams, once a day, for several days or until stools are soft. Surfak should only be used on an occasional basis. Adequate intake of fluids, as well as fiber, will help to maintain soft stools.
Controlling Constipation and Maintaining Bowel Regularity
Controlling constipation and maintaining bowel regularity requires dietary fiber and fluids every day.
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| 1/2 Soluble Fiber Intake | 1/2 Insoluble Fiber Intake |
| Oats | Whole Grain |
| Oat Bran | wild rice |
| Legumes – lentils, chickpeas, peas, beans | wheat bran |
| Fresh and Dried Fruits | corn meal |
Suggestions:
- 1/2 cup of super fiber cereal (100% bran) + 2 tablespoons of Benefiber or Miller’s Bran. 3/4 cup of bran-flake cereal+ 2 tablespoons of Benefiber or Miller’s Bran.
- 4 to 6 tablespoons of Benefiber or Miller’s Bran per day (available in most Health Food Stores) to be added to soup, cereal, salad, yogurt, or cottage cheese.
- Substitute fresh fruit for fruit juice and brown rice for mashed potatoes.
- Use fiber additives slowly and increase amounts gradually over time. -Too much fiber too quickly can cause increased intestinal gas, bloating, and diarrhea with subsequent perianal irritation.
- Drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day- unless you have severe heart or kidney problems. Fiber without enough liquids can cause constipation. Water, juice, and non-caffeinated beverages are best.
Avoid:
- Low fiber cereals, white breads, bagels and rolls.
- Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables.
- Instant “quick-cooking” foods.
- Convenience type snack foods.
