People aren’t getting enough information on other fiber benefits, such as satiety and obesity prevention, as well as keeping cholesterol levels in check and stabilizing blood sugar. “Most people think of fiber as helping to promote digestion and bowel regularity. It’s important to remind people that fiber benefits extend beyond healthful digestion. Digestion and absorption are really important, and it’s much easier to prevent constipation than it is to treat it,” Slavin says. This is important for kids I frequently hear people say that their children have constipation. “The biggest impact fiber can have on people’s health is preventing constipation and promoting gut health. Yet the public doesn’t fully comprehend all they have to gain by boosting their fiber intake. In addition, dietary fiber that occurs naturally in foods also may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines highlight the significance of meeting dietary fiber goals because the scientific evidence shows health protective benefits include promoting a feeling of fullness and healthful laxation. People may think, ‘I ate an apple or some lettuce, so I got my fiber.’ But that doesn’t get the job done,” explains Joanne Slavin, PhD, RD, a professor in the department of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota who served on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.įiber, a nondigestible form of carbohydrates that occurs naturally in plant foods, may protect health in many important ways. The highest sources of fiber are first whole grains second, legumes third, vegetables and fourth, fruits. They eat quick pantry food items when they’re hungry, such as chips and crackers, instead of carrots,” says Jessica Crandall, RD, CDE, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) and a dietitian at Sodexo Wellness and Nutrition. “Today’s rapid pace and lifestyle hinders people from getting enough fiber. The Adequate Intake for fiber is 14 g/1,000 kcal-25 g per day for women and 38 g per day for men, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. In fact, dietary fiber is listed as a “nutrient of concern” in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans-along with potassium, calcium, and vitamin D-because intake is low enough to be a public health concern. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the average intake of dietary fiber is pitifully low-only 15 g per day on average. It’s a simple fact that people aren’t eating enough whole grains, legumes, fruits, or vegetables-the main sources of dietary fiber. In this article, Today’s Dietitian will give you the tools to help your clients fill in their fiber gaps.
Yet only 5% of Americans are meeting the daily recommendations. It can help them maintain proper digestion and elimination, lower blood cholesterol levels, stabilize blood glucose, and even lose weight. You know how important fiber is to your clients’ health. Fill in the Fiber Gaps - Dietitians Offer Practical Strategies to Get Clients to Meet the Daily Requirements