Key Takeaways
- Most Americans don’t get the recommended 28-34 grams of fiber each day.
- A high-fiber diet lowers the risk of heart disease and supports healthy digestion.
- Start your day with fiber-rich foods, including oats, fruit, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, to help you reach your fiber goals.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults consume at least 28-34 grams of fiber daily, yet over 90% of people in the US don’t meet this goal.
Fiber is essential for proper gut health and can reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
Starting your day with a fiber-rich breakfast is an excellent way to help you meet your daily fiber goal.
Read on to find a list of over 20 high-fiber breakfast ideas that are both delicious and filling.
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20+ Breakfast Fiber Foods to Start Your Day
When building a high-fiber breakfast, try to include at least two sources of fiber from the following list:
- Nuts and nut butter (almonds, peanut butter, pecans).
- Seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds).
- Fruit (berries, apples, kiwifruit).
- Whole grains (oats, whole grain bread, bran cereal).
- Avocados.
- Vegetables (spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms).
Below is an extensive list of high-fiber breakfast ideas for inspiration.
Remember to talk with your dietitian about the best options for you.
1. Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is an easy breakfast option to save time in the morning.
You can prepare it the night before by mixing your milk of choice with chia seeds and other ingredients like berries, cinnamon, vanilla, and a splash of sweetener.
Aim for a ratio of one tablespoon of chia seeds per quarter cup of milk.
The chia seeds will absorb the liquid overnight, softening and creating a thick pudding-like texture.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain over eight grams of fiber.
2. Avocado Toast on Whole Grain Bread
Avocado toast is another quick, high-fiber breakfast option.
A half cup of avocado contains five grams of fiber.
The fiber content of whole grain bread varies by brand, but on average, one slice contains between two and five grams of protein.
Top with a sliced hard-boiled egg or serve with a side of Greek yogurt for protein.
3. Berry and Spinach Smoothie
Try a high-fiber smoothie for an on-the-go option.
Raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are some of the highest-fiber fruits, with six to eight grams per cup.
For an additional fiber boost, blend in spinach.
Other high-fiber smoothie ingredients include dry oats, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
4. Flaxseed Oatmeal with Berries
Start your day with over 10 grams of fiber in a hearty bowl of oatmeal packed with berries and flax seeds.
Here’s the fiber breakdown:
- Half cup of dry old-fashioned oats: 4 grams of fiber.
- One tablespoon of flax seeds: 2.8 grams of fiber.
- Half cup of raspberries: 4 grams of fiber.
5. Veggie and Egg Scramble
Add veggies to your egg scramble to boost the fiber content of this classic breakfast.
High-fiber vegetables include kale, spinach, mushrooms, bell pepper, and asparagus.
Serve with whole grain toast, a whole grain English muffin, or a whole grain tortilla for added fiber and balance.
6. Whole Grain Apple Pancakes
Substitute whole grain flour when making pancakes and add high-fiber fruits, such as blueberries or chopped apples.
You can also use a store-bought whole-grain pancake mix to save time.
Top your pancakes with peanut or almond butter for an extra fiber boost.
7. Almond Butter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are an easy, low-preparation way to incorporate whole grains into your breakfast.
Most recipes include base ingredients like oats, milk, chia seeds, and yogurt.
Flavor your oats by adding almond butter, fruit, and cinnamon.
Mix ingredients the night before and enjoy the softened oats cold the following day.
8. High-Fiber Cereal with Milk
A bowl of high-fiber cereal with milk is a simple way to start your day with more fiber.
Choose a whole grain or bran cereal, such as Fiber One or Grape Nuts.
The fiber content of these cereals varies greatly, so be sure to read the nutrition labels when shopping.
9. Whole Grain Toast with Peanut Butter and Banana
This classic breakfast is made from high-fiber ingredients.
Simply toast whole grain bread and top with peanut butter and banana slices.
Sprinkle with hemp seeds for extra fiber.
10. Whole Grain Waffles with Blueberries
Whole-grain waffles are a delicious way to enjoy a high-fiber breakfast.
Top with blueberries for extra fiber.
Prepare from scratch with whole-grain flour, use a whole-wheat waffle mix, or purchase whole-grain freezer waffles for a no-prep option.
11. Banana and Walnut Breakfast Cookies
Try these tasty breakfast cookies containing high-fiber ingredients like flax meal, walnuts, and oats.
You can prepare these in advance and enjoy them for several days.
They also make great snacks.
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12. Sorghum Berry Bowl
Sorghum is an excellent high-fiber grain to include for breakfast.
It’s a gluten-free whole grain that has a chewy and nutty profile.
Served similar to a bowl of oatmeal, this sorghum breakfast bowl provides 12 grams of fiber per serving and a delicious flavor combination of raspberries and pistachios.
13. Green Smoothie Bowl
Make a high-fiber green smoothie bowl with fiber-rich ingredients like spinach, kiwi, and avocado.
Add less liquid than a regular smoothie so the finished product is thick and spoonable.
Add toppings such as hemp seeds, chopped nuts, sliced strawberries, or granola to boost your smoothie bowl's fiber.
14. Mango and Chia Seed Yogurt Parfait
Make a high-fiber yogurt parfait by layering a simple chia pudding (chia seeds with coconut milk) and Greek yogurt with chopped or pureed mangoes.
Prepare the chia pudding and mango yogurt in advance and layer together in the morning for a quick breakfast.
15. Black Bean Breakfast Tacos with Avocado
Try a savory morning option with breakfast tacos.
Prepare tacos with black beans, scrambled eggs (or scrambled tofu for a vegan option), corn tortillas, avocado slices, and salsa.
Black beans are rich in fiber, with 7.5 grams per half cup.
The avocados and corn tortillas provide additional fiber.
16. Avocado Breakfast Sandwich
Make a simple high-fiber breakfast sandwich to enjoy at home or on the go.
Start with a toasted whole-grain English muffin with melted cheese.
Top with a fried egg, avocado slices, and fresh spinach.
17. Chickpea Flour Breakfast Pizza
This breakfast pizza recipe uses savory breakfast ingredients for this unique spin on pizza.
Start by making a simple batter from chickpea flour and cooking it on the stovetop like a crepe or pancake.
Then, top with salsa, scrambled eggs, avocado, and green onion.
The recipe calls for a third cup of chickpea flour, which has over three grams of fiber.
Top with avocado or black beans, or serve with a side of fruit for extra fiber.
18. Blueberry Bran Muffins
Try these fiber-rich blueberry bran muffins for a tasty on-the-go breakfast option.
This recipe includes many high-fiber ingredients, like bran cereal, whole wheat flour, chia seeds, flax seeds, and blueberries.
Serve muffins with a side of Greek yogurt for protein.
19. Whole Grain French Toast with Strawberry Compote
You can substitute whole grain bread in any French toast recipe to boost the fiber content.
Top with fresh fruit or a simple strawberry compote for added fiber.
20. Quinoa Porridge
Though you may think of quinoa as a savory meal option, you can prepare it similarly to oatmeal for a high-fiber breakfast.
Simply cook quinoa on the stovetop with milk, cinnamon, and a splash of sweetener.
Top with fresh fruit, chopped nuts, and shredded coconut.
Quinoa is a gluten-free fiber powerhouse, with half a cup of dry quinoa providing almost 6 grams of fiber.
21. Lentil Pancakes
Try lentil pancakes for a unique, savory breakfast option.
The high-fiber batter is made with red lentils and Indian spices.
Cooked lentils have almost eight grams of fiber in half a cup.
You can top your lentil pancakes with delicious options like sauteed zucchini, yogurt, chutney, and fresh cilantro.
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Takeaway
Most people in the United States don’t meet their daily fiber needs.
Starting your day with a high-fiber breakfast can help you stay full longer and contribute to your daily fiber goal.
Include at least two fiber-rich foods in your breakfast, like fruit, oats, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
How a Dietitian Can Help
If you want to increase your fiber intake, a registered dietitian can help you identify high-fiber swaps within your food preferences.
At your visit with your dietitian, try asking questions like:
- What should my daily fiber goal be?
- Can eating more fiber improve my specific health condition(s)?
- What are easy ways to add fiber to my meals?
- Can you give me a list of high-fiber snacks?
Find a dietitian who can help you boost your fiber intake and improve your overall diet quality.
Do you have any of these insurances?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you aim to increase your fiber intake, adding whole, plant-based foods to your breakfast can be a great start.
Incorporate high-fiber foods, like:
- Nuts and nut butter.
- Fruits, especially berries.
- Whole grains, like oats, whole grain flour, and bran cereal.
- Avocados.
- Vegetables, like spinach, kale, and mushrooms.
- Seeds, like chia seeds or hemp seeds.
Increase the fiber content of your breakfast to help with constipation.
High fiber options include:
- Whole grains, found in oatmeal, bran cereal, and whole-grain bread.
- Fruits, like berries and apples.
- Vegetables, including spinach and bell peppers.
- Nuts and seeds, like chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, and peanut butter.
- Avocados.
Increase your fiber intake slowly, and make sure to prioritize hydration while making these changes.
Half a cup of uncooked old-fashioned oats provides four grams of fiber, making it a common recommendation for a high-fiber breakfast.
However, not everyone enjoys oatmeal.
The following breakfast ideas provide at least as much fiber as a serving of oats:
- Quinoa porridge.
- Blueberry bran muffins.
- Chia seed pudding.
- Lentil pancakes.
- Black bean breakfast tacos with avocado.
- Berry and spinach smoothie.