Dietary Fibre

Let’s start with what is Fibre?

Fibre is the indigestible parts of plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, beans and legumes. It is type of a carbohydrate that helps keep our digestive systems healthy. There are three different types of fibre which all have different functions and health benefits.

• Soluble fibre

It helps to slow the emptying process in our stomachs, which helps you feel fuller. It also helps to lower cholesterol and stabilize your blood glucose levels. Soluble fibre is found in fruits, vegetables, oats, barley and legumes.

• Insoluble fibre –

It absorbs water to help to soften the contents of our bowels and support regular bowel movements. It also helps to keep us full and keep the bowel environment healthy. Insoluble fibre is found in wholegrain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, wheat bran and the skin of fruit and vegetables.

• Resistant starch –

It is not digested in the small intestine and instead proceeds to the large intestine where it can assist in the production of good bacteria and improves bowel health. Resistant starch is found in under cooked pasta, under ripe bananas, cooked and cooled potato and rice.

Now let’s understand why fibre is important?

Dietary fibre is important for our digestive health and regular bowel movements. Fibre also helps you feel fuller for longer, can improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and can assist in preventing some diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer.

Do you know how much fibre you need?

Gender (Over 18 years)	Acceptable Intake
Males	30 gm per day
Females	25 gm per day

 

Eating a variety of plant-based foods will help you get enough fibre each day.

This includes:

• Choosing wholegrain, wholemeal and/or high fibre varieties of grain-based foods like bread and pasta
• Enjoying a variety of wholegrains, such as rice, oats, quinoa, barley, polenta and buckwheat
• Having two pieces of fruit and five servings of vegetables a day.

You can also boost your fibre intake with:

• A sprinkle of bran or psyllium husk on cereal, muesli or yoghurt
• A small handful of nuts and seeds as a snack
• Adding legumes to meals.

Sources of fibre

Food	Service Size	Fibre Content
Wholemeal past	1 cup	7.9 gm
Carrot (skin on)	1 cup	6.9 gm
Kidney beans	100 gm	6.5 gm
Corn	1 Medium cob	5.9 gm
Rolled oats	½ cup	4.5 gm
Wholemeal biscuit	2 biscuits	4.2 gm
Broccoli (skin on)	1 cup	3.8 gm
Lentils	100 gm	3.7 gm
Sweet potato (skin on)	1 cup	3.7 gm
Brown rice	1 cup	2.7 gm
Almond	30 gm (25 pc)	2.6 gm
Dried apricot	30 gm (5 dried pc)	2.5 gm
Wholegrain bread	1 slice	2.4 gm
Banana	1 medium	2.3 gm
Apple	1 medium	2.2 gm
Psyllium husk	1 tablespoon	2.2 gm
Popcorn	1 cup	1.2 gm

 

Have a healthy life ahead..