5 fruits with more fiber than an apple

A humble blackberry packs mucho fiber. (giniger/creative commons)

Eating an apple a day, but still can't keep the doctor away? The truth is, though apples enjoy a reputation as a high fiber fruit, they aren't the highest you can find. Apples have probably enjoyed the limelight as the high-fiber poster fruit due to their easy availability and general popularity, but what if apples leave you cold? If you'd like to get your fiber in your diet from a more exciting source --not to mention gaining even more fiber grams in the process, then these are the fruits for you.

Five Highest-Fiber Fruits

1. Raspberries

At 8 grams of fiber per cup, raspberries might even have more fiber than the cereal you put them on. Compared to an apple's 3 to 4 grams, raspberries are the winner in the fiber war, hands-down. Blackberries are sky-high in the fiber department too. They weigh in with 7 grams of fiber per cup. The bottom line: berries are the berries when it comes toincreasing your dietary fiber intake.

2. Pears

If you've got the apple blahs, reach for a pear the next time you need a fiber boost. With 5 to 6 grams per fruit, the juicy, mellow pear is even more fiber-filled when you eat it with the skin on. Poach pears in a little wine with cinnamon and you've got a gourmet dessert that's still diet-friendly.

3. Dried Figs and Dried Dates

Fresh fruits aren't the only ones with a high fiber count. Sugary sweet-tasting dried figs and dates have 6 grams of fiber per serving of three small pieces. Dried fruit is a welcome topping on cereal, and it packs easily in the lunchbox or briefcase for an afternoon snack.

4. Kiwis

The little fuzzy green fruits that used to be known as gooseberries are little bundles of fiber-packed goodness with 2 1/2 grams per tiny kiwi. While that's less than an apple's 4 grams, think about how easy it is to eat a couple or three kiwis in one sitting. Just two kiwis add up to 5 grams of fiber. Chop them up in a fruit salad and reap even more health benefits.

5. Avocados

Though it's easy to forget they're a fruit, it's impossible to forget how creamy and delicious avocados are. A whole avocado has 10 grams of fiber, and while eating a whole one can add up to a lot of calories (though its fats are of the healthy variety), just half an avocado still nets you 5 grams of fiber. Mash half an avocado with lime juice and a pinch of salt to snack on with baked chips. Tasty and fiber-rich.

Apples, schmapples. Where fiber's concerned, they're yesterday's news. Give your diet a shake-up, and reach for one of these alternatives several times a week. Your body will thank you.

Get even more fruit in your diet with a fresh and easy fruit compote, courtesy of your slow cooker.