If you are interested in good health, paying attention to your fiber intake can do wonders. Dietary fiber is a naturally-occurring, non-digestible carbohydrate found in plants. And, fiber has many beneficial effects in the body, from lowered blood cholesterol to relief from occasional constipation. Yet, many of us don’t consume enough dietary fiber.
Diets low in saturated fats and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables and grains that contain some types of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease, a disease associated with many factors. In addition, dietary fiber helps maintain regular bowel movements, aids digestion and promotes post-meal satiety, which may help you feel full.
The recommended dietary fiber intake for both kids and adults is 14 grams for every 1,000 calories consumed, or 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. Despite the importance of dietary fiber, few of us are getting enough. In fact, U.S. adults and kids are getting, on average, less than half the fiber they need daily.
There are two forms of fiber: soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is combined with water during digestion and turns into a gel-like substance that slows down the digestive process. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol from food and beverages, and it may also reduce the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver. Additionally, by slowing digestion, soluble fiber delays the body’s absorption of glucose after a meal and therefore helps maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Many foods have a mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber. However, good sources of soluble fiber include oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas and some fruits and vegetables.
Insoluble fiber speeds up the passage of food through the intestines and adds bulk to stool. Regular, healthy bowel movements can reduce constipation and make stools softer and easier to pass. Good sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains.
The best way to get more dietary fiber is by taking a look at your current diet and seeing where you can make some changes. Choose fruits and vegetables more often and eat the skin if possible. Opt for whole grains versus refined grains (white bread and pasta are examples). Look for brown rice, whole grain pasta and whole grain breads and cereals. Also, become a label reader and compare different brands of the same type of food. Choose those that are higher in dietary fiber.
When you increase your fiber intake, you may notice bloating, gas and possibly even stomach cramps. Therefore, increase your dietary fiber intake gradually. And, pay attention to your fluid intake. Water helps fiber pass through the digestive system.
If your diet doesn’t contain enough dietary fiber, you may want to consider a fiber supplement. Some fiber supplements, like those that are tasteless, can be easily added to a variety of recipes and even used in some baked goods (mix all dry ingredients first and then mix the dry and moist ingredients together).
Fiber has many beneficial roles in the body, yet the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicates that fiber is a “nutrient of concern” because the majority of Americans are not consuming enough. So, take a look at your diet and see where you can add more fiber. And remember to chew your fiber-rich foods carefully since some of the health benefits associated with fiber require the fiber to be solubilized.
In addition, consume your fiber rich foods and supplements at a different time of the day then your mineral supplements and any medications you are taking since fiber can interfere with the absorption of some minerals and medications.
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4 Slavin JL. Dietary fiber and body weight. Nutrition 2005;21:411-8.