For reference, one cup of raspberries contains 8 grams of fiber, a cup of whole-wheat spaghetti has 6 grams and half a cup of black beans has 7.5 grams. The great news is that adding high-fiber foods to your diet is pretty simple. In addition to being low in fiber, this can also mean a diet lacking in various nutrients, vitamins and minerals.” Yikes. A diet low in fiber typically means a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes. “Cholesterol levels in the blood can also increase, which can lead to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
“Low dietary fiber intake can lead to poor digestive health, meaning increased risk for constipation, diverticular disease and hemorrhoids,” McDowell says. And yes, getting enough fiber is important. Current nutrition guidelines say that women under 50 years old should eat 25 grams of fiber per day, while women over the age of 50 should aim for 21 grams per day.
