#FibreFebruary

In order to achieve a healthy balanced diet, the UK government recommends that people consume 30g fibre per day.

Currently, no age group is currently achieving the 30g per day target; and for the vast majority of each age group, intakes are well below daily recommendations.

Throughout February we are celebrating fibre – highlighting why eating it regularly is important; revealing some top tips to help you make the most of foods that contain fibre; and sharing some delicious, tasty and inexpensive recipes that can boost your fibre intake.

So, this February join us on a journey to see if you can Up Yours!

What is Fibre?

Most of us are not achieving the government targets of consuming 30g fibre per day, and women in particular are most likely to need to increase their fibre consumption. All wheat flour, including white flour naturally contains fibre so increasing your intake can be inexpensive. easy AND tasty!

Find out more >

Top 10 fibre facts

  1. Dietary fibre has many health benefits

    Dietary fibre can help prevent coronary heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. A study of 40,000 women in the US found that increasing fibre consumption was more important in preventing cardiovascular disease than increasing consumption of other foods, such as fruit and veg.

  2. Dietary fibre is important for digestive health

    Digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and bloating are very common and usually treatable with lifestyle measures such as increasing your fibre intake.

  3. There are two main types of fibre – soluble and insoluble

    Both soluble and insoluble fibre are important for good health so you need to include both in your diet. Soluble fibre helps your body make poo, and insoluble fibre helps your body get rid of the poo.

  4. Both men and women need to eat 30g of fibre a day

    This means that on average men need to increase their fibre consumption by 50% and women by a staggering 75%.

  5. Most children need to increase their fibre consumption by 50%

    2-5 year olds should be eating 15g of fibre-a-day, 5-11 year olds 20g a day, 11-16 year olds 25g a day.

  6. Dietary fibre can help with weight loss

    Dietary fibre can help you feel fuller for longer so can help you maintain or lose weight.

  7. Dietary fibre can produce ‘good bacteria’

    Some types of fibre can be fermented by gut bacteria, producing substances that appear to be good for gut health. Providing ‘food’ for gut bacteria can also help increase the number of healthy bacteria in the gut.

  8. Increase fibre consumption gradually

    If you plan to increase your fibre intake, it is a good idea to it gradually, especially from foods providing insoluble fibre otherwise you may get stomach cramps. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids (8-10 glasses per day for adults).

  9. Even white bread contains fibre

    All bread and flour products contain fibre – just in different amounts. Two slices of the following breads contain, on average the following amount of fibre: regular white sliced bread 2.2g of fibre, high-fibre bread 5.2g, wholemeal 5.0g, seeded wholemeal around 11g per two slices.

  10. Base all your meals on starchy carbohydrates

    According to Public Health England and experts at the British Nutrition Foundation, in order to reach the 30g a day target for fibre we will need to base all our meals on starchy carbohydrates.

Why do I need fibre?

Registered Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine explains why we need fibre. “Fibre is found in bread, wholegrains such as oats, as well as in fruits, vegetables, beans and pulses. Fibre is extremely important as it helps to keep our digestive systems and bowels working in addition to contributing to healthy cholesterol levels and promoting healthy gut bacteria. Specifically, fibre helps us to feel full and prevent constipation, and there is evidence to show that diets rich in fibre may help to reduce risk of colon cancer and cardiovascular disease too.”

Recipe ideas

What do you know about fibre?

We conducted a survey with 2,000 people to find out what they think about healthy eating, dieting and fibre. Will the findings surprise you?

Time to rethink fibre?

70 % people don't know

that white bread contains fibre

75% of 18-30 year olds

have changed their diet in the past year

25 minutes

the average time spent preparing an evening meal