6 Kinds of Fruit That Are Loaded With Fiber—Plus, Delicious Ways to Eat More of Them
Hey, want to talk about fiber? We didn't think so. But if your health is important to you, it's one of the most important topics to address. "Fiber helps so many aspects of health, from gut health to cholesterol," says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, a plant-based registered dietitian. "In addition to helping keep your body functioning optimally, eating fiber also helps keep you fuller for longer, which can be beneficial for weight management."
And if you're like most Americans, you're not getting nearly enough. According to the 2020–2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women ages 31 to 50 should get 25 grams of fiber daily, and men in the same age range should aim for 31 grams per day. While most people believe they get enough fiber, more than 90 percent of women and 97 percent of men fall short of these recommendations, largely due to the overconsumption of processed foods and drinks, which have been stripped of their fiber (and much of their nutrient value).
The solution? More fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. And an easy—and undeniably delicious—place to start is with fruit. Nature's candy isn't just filled with disease-busting antioxidants, minerals, and other essential nutrients, but it's also an excellent, natural source of dietary fiber. Not all fruits are equal in terms of their fiber content, though. And why not get the most bang for your buck? These are the highest-fiber fruits around.
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6 High-Fiber Fruits to Eat Regularly
Berries
Raspberries and blackberries top the list with around 8 grams of fiber each per cup, but all members of the berry family are great sources of fiber (along with other antioxidants and other nutrients). It's not hard to find ways to incorporate berries into your diet (nothing beats a bowl of local summer berries topped with homemade whipped cream!)
But if you're looking for more berry inspo, try adding half a cup to your morning oatmeal, serving them up for dinner in a blackberry and steak salad, or blending them into a smoothie with oats for a double-whammy of fiber. Just remember, if high fiber is your goal, always choose smoothies over juices, as juicing removes the fibrous content of fruits and vegetables.
Tropical Fruits
Tropical fruits are not only a fun way to mix up your daily fruit and veggie intake, but they're also excellent sources of fiber. Picks like passionfruit, mangos, guava, kiwis, dragon fruit, and pineapple all weigh in between 5 grams (kiwi) to 25 grams (passionfruit) per cup.
Tropical fruits are fantastic options for keeping smoothies refreshing—check out this creamy mango-turmeric blend with a secret ingredient that may surprise you. Beyond the blender, tropical fruits make divine salsas to top meat, fish, and tacos.
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Apples
The key to maximizing the fiber content of apples is to eat the skin (after a good scrubbing, of course). One medium apple with the skin on has about 4.8 grams of fiber, but if you peel it, that number drops down to 2 grams. Enjoy sliced apples as a snack with a smear of nut butter, make a chunky apple and raisin sauce to spoon over a protein, or partake in the sweet crunch that thinly sliced apples give a crisp watercress salad.
Prunes
The old adage is true: Dried plums, aka prunes, are chock-full of fiber, with around 4 grams per three pieces or 8 grams per cup. But it's not just the fiber that makes prunes a commonly prescribed remedy for constipation. "Prunes are a natural source of sorbitol, which helps to stimulate digestion by helping to move water into the large intestine," Gorin explains.
The combination of fiber and the sorbitol make these sweet and chewy treats effective in helping get things moving. One of the best ways to eat prunes is to heat them on the stove with a little water, honey, cinnamon, and lemon juice, and then let them plump up. After simmering for a few minutes, let cool and serve over yogurt or oatmeal. Prunes also make a delicious addition to chicken or pork dishes.
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Avocados
Yes, avocados are technically fruits. These creamy, green superstars pack 7 grams of fiber for every 100 grams, which is roughly the size of half an average-sized avocado. Throw some guacamole on top of your sandwich or salad, start your day with a slice or two of avocado toast (top with an egg for solid protein), or even blend up some avocado into a creamy, dairy-free smoothie.
Pomegranate Seeds
While they might take a few minutes to wrestle out of their natural packaging, those crunchy little pomegranate seeds (called arils) boast 4 grams of fiber per 100 grams, which is about half a cup of seeds. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top of any salad for a sweet taste and refreshing texture, or use them to top a roast beef crostini for an unexpectedly delicious flavor combination.
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