Match the following lower fiber foods with higher fiber choices below. The higher fiber meals represent better choices than standard American fare and will give you ideas on how to add more fiber to your meals.Lower Fiber Choices (g fiber)1. ____ applesauce (1.5)2. ____ turkey on white bun (2)3. ____ corn flakes (<1)4. ____ hamburger & French fries (3)5. ____ white rice (<1)6. ____ pasta with marinara sauce (4)7. ____ chicken noodle soup & crackers (1)8. ____ orange juice (0.5)9. ____ pancakes with syrup (0.5)10. ____ breakfast danish and coffee (0.5)Higher Fiber Choices (g fiber)a. whole wheat pasta with chunky marinara sauce and vegetables (8)b. brown rice and beans (10)c. bean or lentil soup with whole grain bread (12)d. turkey, lettuce, and tomato on whole wheat bread (5)e. garden salad and baked potato (w/skin) (9.5)f. orange (3)g. pancakes topped with berries or bananas (4)h. apple (3.7)i. small oat bran muffin and orange juice (3)j. bran flakes or oatmeal with raisins (5)What Can Fiber Do For You?• Decrease risk of heart disease: Soluble fiber (found in oats, barley, legumes) lowers blood cholesterol levels.• Help with weight control: High fiber foods tend to be lower in fat, plus they fill you up quickly.• Protect against cancer: While the debate on fiber’s link to colon cancer continues, a diet focused on fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help fight off disease.• Lower risk of developing diabetes: Keeping your weight down with a high fiber, low fat intake decreases your risk of diabetes. Fiber also slows glucose absorption.• Keep your GI tract healthy: From constipation to hemorrhoids to diverticulosis, fiber is the key to intestinal health.Where Can I Find Fiber?• Beans & legumes such as black beans, lentils, pinto beans, Great Northern beans, split peas, red beans, kidney beans, etc.• Fruits such as apples, pears, berries, melons, citrus, grapes, etc.• Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, broccoli, celery, turnips, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.• Whole grains such as whole wheat breads and pastas, whole grain cereals, brown rice, barley, oatmeal. Look for package claims such as 100% whole grain or read the ingredient list to be sure whole grains are at the top of the list.• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds.Follow These Tips for More Fiber:• Increase fiber intake gradually. Be sure to drink at least 8 cups of water per day.• Include beans/legumes in at least 2 or 3 of your meals per week. Easy ideas include vegetarian chili, split pea soup, pasta topped with marinara sauce and lentils, minestrone soup and pasta bean soup.• Include fruit in at least 2 of your meals and snacks per day.• Include vegetables in at least 2 of your meals and snacks per day.Answers:1.h, 2.d, 3.j, 4.e, 5.b, 6.a, 7.c, 8.f, 9.g, 10.iBy Hollis Bass, MEd, RD