Nutritional Information - Dietary Fibre

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Dietary Fibre is found only in foods of a plant origin and is generally not broken down by enzymes in the small intestine. Some fibre is partially broken down in the large intestine and used for energy, and soluble fibre, such as that found in barley, oats and legumes, and some fruits, is believed to be helpful in regulating cholesterol in the blood and controlling blood sugar levels.

FIBRE FACTS

Once there was wheat bran, and those that thought they should struggled down a couple of tablespoons each morning on their cereal. This done they wondered why they didn't always have the result they expected.

Then came other brans - oat, barley, rice - with added claims. These would help prevent heart disease, whisk out our cholesterol and keep us regular as well! And with that came CONFUSION. Just what fibre do we need? How much? How often? Why?

To simplify:

Fibre is only found in plant foods.

It is indigestible.

It helps intestinal health, bowel regularity, benefits diabetes and blood cholesterol levels, assists weight control, and is thought to help prevent colon cancer.

We each should eat 30-40 grams a day.

There are two types of fibre - soluble and insoluble and we need a combination of them.

We can increase our fibre intake by:

Eating a high-fibre breakfast (wholemeal toast, fresh fruit, nuts, whole grain cereal or added bran cereal)

Eat wholemeal bread or crispbreads

Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten and use the skins and seeds when possible

Enrich home cooked cakes, biscuits, pastries, desserts, rissoles and meat loaf recipes, casseroles and soups with whole flour or oats, nuts, seeds or bran

Choose snacks like fruit (fresh or dried), nuts or seeds, fresh vegetables, wholegrain crispbreads or popcorn.

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