I know… we’ve all heard that we need more fiber in our diets. But the thought makes many people cringe. Not exactly what a lot of us want to look forward to in the morning — a heaping bowl of wheat bran. Or how about a yummy glass of cellulose?

Well, cheer up. Fiber doesn't have to be yucky. In fact, there are many great ways to increase the fiber in your diet.

Here are some useful fiber products:

1. Almond meal (also called almond flour)
2. Corn bran
3. Oat bran
4. Oat fiber (concentrated bran, very finely powdered)
5. Resistant cornstarch (Hi-Maize)
6. Rice bran
7. Wheat bran

Here are some ways to use fiber:

1. Add 1/4 cup of any of these to your baking (muffins, quickbreads, pancakes, etc) in place of 1/4 cup of your regular flour.
2. Buy ready-to-eat oat bran cereal or corn bran cereal, and have in place of corn flakes or other cold cereal at breakfast or as a snack.
3. Mix a few tablespoons of oat bran into hot oatmeal.
4. If you can't find these cereals, get All-Bran, and (if it's too harsh for you) mix with your regular breakfast cereal to boost its fiber content.
5. Add almond meal to smoothies and shakes.
6. Use crushed bran cereal (wheat, corn, or oat) as a topping for yogurt and fruit, and also as part of the coating for oven-baked chicken and fish.

Here are some other good sources of fiber:

1. Fresh and dried fruit
2. Leafy green vegetables
3. Nuts and seeds
4. Other vegetables
5. Whole grains