Getting the recommended 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day in your diet may help lower your risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, colon cancer and digestive conditions such as diverticulosis, hemorrhoids and constipation. Because fiber adds bulk to your diet and slows the emptying of your stomach, it also helps you feel full longer, so you may find it easier to maintain your weight with a high-fiber diet. Beans are one of the better sources of fiber.

A cup of boiled navy beans has 19.1 grams of fiber, and the same amount of small white beans has 18.6 grams. Choose canned great northern beans instead and you'll still get 12.8 grams of fiber per cup. White beans tend to have a mild flavor, making them suitable for pureeing and then using them as a fat replacement for up to half of the fat in baked goods, such as brownies, or to thicken soups.

adzuki beans have 16.8 grams of fiber per cup. Boiled kidney beans are also an excellent source of fiber, with 16.5 grams per cup, as are pinto beans, with 11 grams per cup. Although some types of white beans have more fiber than red beans, colored beans, such as red or black beans, tend to contain more beneficial antioxidants, according to the North Dakota State University Extension.

Canned black beans have about 16.6 grams per cup, and boiled cranberry beans provide 17.7 grams of fiber per cup. Use a mix of black and red beans to make a bean salad, add them to burritos or quesadillas or serve them with brown rice. Black beans also make good veggie burgers, and you can use cranberry beans to make baked beans or add them to pasta.

Boiled lentils provide 15.6 grams of fiber per cup, and boiled chickpeas have 12.5 grams per cup. Lentils are a great choice if you're short on time and don't want to use canned beans because they don't require soaking before cooking. Make soup with lentils, or use them to make a vegetarian version of meat-based dishes, such as sloppy joes or shepherd's pie. Use chickpeas to make a hummus dip for vegetables, or add them to salads or soups to increase the fiber and protein in your meal.