What is fibre?

Fibre is a type of carbohydrate found only in plants. There are no calories, vitamins or minerals in fibre and it is not digested when we eat it, but is really important to keep the digestive system healthy.

Should I eat more fibre or less fibre?

More! In the UK most people do not eat enough fibre with the average intake being 12g per day). This is below the recommended intake for adults which is currently 18g per day. A low fibre intake is associated with constipation and some gut diseases such as diverticulitis and bowel cancer.

Benefits of eating more fibre

A diet rich in fibre has many health benefits. It helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and glucose levels, and reduces the risk of a number of bowel problems.

Sources of fibre

Fibre is only found in the cell walls of plants. Foods such as meat, fish and dairy products contain hardly any fibre at all. Good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables, oats, wholegrain rice and pasta, many breakfast cereals, nuts and seeds.