Enjoying foods rich in fiber is a big part of supporting type 2 diabetes. Fiber helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates and can help balance blood sugar levels. Not only that, but when you add fiber-rich foods to your diet, you also help maintain digestive health, which is critical to your body’s overall health.

When you eat high-fiber foods on a regular basis, you’re also choosing to stay away from packaged and boxed foods and choose more foods in their natural, whole state. Processed foods from a box typically don’t contain much fiber, as much of the fiber has been removed during the “junk food” manufacturing process.

To help maintain stable blood sugar levels, here are some high-fiber foods to add to your diet.

5 high-fiber foods to add to your diet

1. Oatmeal. Starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal is a great way to pack in a healthy dose of fiber. In just one cup of oatmeal, you’ll get about 8 grams of fiber! Try enjoying oatmeal with some berries for a fiber boost.

2. Pears. If you like fruit, try adding pears to your diet! Pears are delicious and contain about 5.5 grams of fiber. Pears can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack or even blended into a smoothie.

3. Bananas. Bananas are another fiber-rich fruit that can be an easy and nutritious addition to your diet. It will contain about 4 grams of fiber in a banana, and they can also be used in place of sugar as a natural sweetener.

4. Lawyer. This creamy, high-fat food is super nutritious and packed with dietary fiber. In 1/3 of an avocado you will get about 3 grams of fiber. Try enjoying ½ sliced ​​avocado with some fresh-squeezed lemon juice and sea salt for a healthy snack, or add some sliced ​​avocado to a salad.

5. broccoli. This delicious and versatile green vegetable contains around 5 grams of fiber per cup! You can roast broccoli with olive oil and garlic for a delicious, high-fiber side dish, or make a tasty broccoli bone broth soup.

Don’t underestimate the importance of fiber when it comes to supporting your overall health. Fiber plays such an essential role in balancing blood sugar levels, so make sure you get enough of it in your diet. Swap out packaged, refined foods for foods in their whole state that are naturally high in fiber like the five listed above. Not only will your blood sugar levels benefit, but you’ll likely feel full for longer periods of time, reducing the chance of overeating.