The Mount Sinai Hospital defines normal bowel function as having one or two easy-to-pass stools per day. Unfortunately, for many Americans, normal bowel function has taken a backseat to constipation, which is one of the most common digestive complaints and most often a result of inadequate amounts of fiber in the diet. If your bowels are not moving at least once a day, increase the amount of fiber you eat to 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. Do so gradually, though, because a rapid increase in fiber intake can cause bloating, cramps and diarrhea.

One of the best ways to add more fiber to your diet and to get your bowels moving is by adding beans to your meals. A 3/4 cup of pinto beans contains 10.4 grams of fiber, almost half of the amount you need in an entire day. Kidney beans come in close behind at 8 grams of fiber per serving. Add beans to your soups or sprinkle them on top of salads. Experiment with meals that use beans as a main ingredient, like black bean burgers or bean tacos. Choose baked beans as a side dish or make your own bean puree.

The term "bran" refers to the hard, outer layers of cereal grains. Unlike refined grains, whole grains contain the bran layer, which provides most of the fiber. Bran may be in the form of wheat bran, rice bran, oat bran or corn bran. Wheat, rice and corn bran are particularly high in insoluble fiber -- the type that is known for making your bowels move. Many high-fiber cereals are loaded with bran and offer between 10 to 14 grams of fiber per 1/2-cup serving. You can also purchase raw bran and sprinkle it into hot cereals, blend it into smoothies or bake it into muffins or pancakes. An ounce of raw corn bran contains 22 grams of fiber, while an ounce of raw wheat bran contains 12 grams.

Bran isn't the only whole grain that gets your bowels moving. Any grains that contain the entire grain kernel, which includes the bran, germ and endosperm, can help alleviate constipation. Swap out white rice for whole-grain sides, like quinoa, which contains 5 grams of fiber per cup, or amaranth, which offers 6 grams of fiber per cup. Start your day off with a cup of bulgur, which contains 8 grams of fiber, or 1/2 cup of oatmeal, which offers half that. Include other whole grains, like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and popcorn in your regular diet.

According to “Today’s Dietitian,” berries contain the highest fiber-per-calorie ratio in the food world. The fiber of berries is packed into their tiny seeds. Elderberries have the highest fiber content, offering 10 grams per cup, while raspberries and blackberries follow in a close second at 8 grams of fiber per cup. Top your cereal with fresh berries or mix them into your yogurt. Blend frozen berries into a breakfast smoothie or mix them in with your pancakes.

Green vegetables aren’t just loaded with vitamins and minerals; they also pack a fiberous punch. One cup of cooked broccoli contains 5 grams of fiber, while 1 cup of cooked brussels sprouts contains 6 grams. One cup of cooked mustard greens, turnip greens or collard greens each contains 5 grams of fiber. Other sources of fiber include spinach, beet greens and Swiss chard. Include green vegetables in most of your meals, eating them raw in salads or sauteing them in some oil and garlic.