22/08/2021
What is fibre?
Fibre is part of plant foods that cannot be digested by the body. Particularly found in skins, seeds & stalks of fruits & vegetables. It is also found in the bran of wholegrain breads & cereals.
Fibre is mainly needed to keep the digestive system healthy & functioning properly. It does this by feeding ‘good’ bacteria into our gut.
It also contributes to other benefits such as stabilising glucose, cholesterol levels & can assist in preventing some diseases such as diabetes, heart disease & bowel cancer.
A fibre rich diet can also be protective against weight gain. High fibre foods are often bulky & therefore, filling. They also tend to have a lower energy density, which means they provide fewer calories per gram of food. As a result, a person on a high-fibre diet can consume the same amount of food, but with fewer calories.
It’s recommended that adults should aim to consume approximately 25–30g daily & children aged between four & eight should consume 18 g of fibre each day.
Fibre is even more important for older people. The digestive system slows down with age, so a high-fibre diet becomes even more important. ★ Here are some easy tips to add in more fibre ★
Swap for whole grain 🍝varieties instead of white rice, bread, & regular pasta.
Eat whole fruits 🍎 instead of drinking fruit juices.
Veggies, 🥦 veggies & more veggies! Especially dark coloured vegetables (broccoli, beetroot, carrots and brussels sprouts). Leave the skin on potatoes🍠. Sprinkle 🥄 chia seeds & flax seed on cereal, smoothies, or salads. Eat beans 🌱 / lentils daily.
Use wholemeal flour to thicken sauces, 🍛 gravies & stews
⚠️ Know which packaged foods are high in fibre by reading 🧐 the nutrient panel on the pack.
A food with at least 4g fibre per serve is a good source; food with at least 7g fibre per serve is an excellent source
⚠️ Adding too much fibre, too quickly, can lead to gas 💨, bloating or 😩 cramping!
It’s best to gradually add fibre to your diet.
Fibre works b