Fiber is all the craze lately. When go grocery shopping you are sure to see a variety of food items that boast added fiber or high fiber. Everything from orange juice to yogurt to cookies claim added fiber to help your attain the proper daily amount. Sometimes it’s hard to know the facts when something hits the market as the latest new thing in health and well being. You may ask yourself just how much fiber does one need in a day? Which foods are natural sources of fiber? What are the benefits of a fiber rich diet? With questions that deserve answers, I would like to explore the topic of fiber in a short series. Fiber is not a fad but truly a need that should be given the time necessary to discover how it benefits your health and how to eat to achieve your daily recommended amount.
What is the daily recommended amount of fiber?
Most Americans are not getting enough fiber in their diets. In fact, most only get about half of what is recommended. While, most will consume about 14 grams a day, it is recommended that you consume 20-35 grams of fiber daily. Children do not need as much fiber as adults. Keep in mind that children only need as many grams as their age plus five. That is a simple equation to keep in mind when feeding your kids the proper nutrition. It is also very important to keep in mind that fiber acts like a sponge so if you increase your fiber, be sure to increase your water intake to prevent dehydration. Another important factor is iron absorption. Iron is absorbed early on in digestion so if you increase your fiber food is digested faster which may lead to your body not absorbing the proper amount of iron. While fiber is vital to your health, you need to keep balance in mind.
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