When you’re thinking about what to eat, how to get that beach body, or simply how to improve your health, fibre is not usually at the forefront of your mind. Instead, you’re probably thinking about getting more protein, or cutting down on your sugar intake. But that needs to change, because you’re almost certainly not getting enough fibre.

According to the FDA, most Americans are not getting their recommended dose of fibre. (That’s anywhere between 30 and 42g of fibre, depending on your age and your level of physical activity, according to 2010 dietary guidelines.)

This is a problem, because under-consumption of fibre has been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as a higher risk of heart disease, obesity or colorectal cancer.

Read more: 4 simple heart-healthy, fibre-rich breakfast bowls

“Our data show that only 4% of all men and 13% of women in the United States have a fibre intake above the recommended amount,” nutrition researcher Yanni Papanikolaou, MPH and PhD candidate, told Men’s Health.

Want to start eating more fibre, but sick of broccoli and All Bran? Here are five unsung fibre heroes that don’t get much love.

1. Almonds

Gram for gram, almonds are one of the higher fibre nuts out there, offering about 3g of fibre per ounce. Pair that with a piece of fruit as a snack, and you’ve got a satisfying, nutrient-dense combo.

2. Beans

Beans, beans – they’re not only good for your heart, they’re also one of the heartiest, most nutrient-dense foods out there. They’re budget-friendly, and they’re easy to tack onto a dish as a side dish. Plus, at 15g per cup, one cup of black beans offers almost half of the daily recommendation for fibre.

Read more: The best bean you can eat

3. Raspberries

Whole fruit in general is a great source of fibre, but some fruits go above and beyond. Exhibit A: Raspberries. With 8g of fibre per serving, raspberries are not only low-kilojoule, they’re also very high in nutrition. Add a cup to smoothies, yogurt, cereal, cottage cheese (or pair them with the almonds, as suggested above).

Read more: The 12 best foods to eat when you hit a weight-loss plateau

4. Flaxseed

After a surge in popularity about 10 years ago, flaxseed has seemed to fade out of favour. But this seed is a nutritional powerhouse with omega-3 fats, protein and, of course, fibre. All that makes it a perfect addition to your morning oats (even more fibre), yoghurt or on top of your cottage cheese. The key here is making sure you grind it well (a coffee grinder works).

5. Oat bran

Oatmeal gets lots of love, but for a slight change of pace in the morning, oat bran is a great alternative. It has a creamier consistency and texture and it’s packed with 6g of fibre in just 1/3 of a cup. Think of oat fibre as a sponge that helps lower lipid levels and keeps you full.

^{This article was originally published on www.menshealth.com}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Chris Mohr