METHODS FOR INCREASING DIETARY FIBRE INTAKE
An increase in dietary fibre will occur as fat-containing foods are replaced by food containing more carbohydrate. Methods for Increasing dietary fibre:
- Use wholegrain bread and cereals such as brown rice, wholemeal spaghetti and other pasta, wholegrain breakfast cereal, wholegrain crispbread, oatmeal or wheatmeal biscuits, wholemeal flour and other wholegrain cereal foods.
- Eat at least three pieces of fruit and four serves of vegetables each day.
- Eat the skins on fruits and vegetables e.g. potatoes in their jackets and the skins peaches, etc.
- Add one tablespoon of bran or wheatgerm to prepared breakfast cereals.
- Add dried beans, dried peas, brown rice or lentils to soups and casseroles.
- Thicken soups and casseroles with bran or wholemeal flour.
Implications.
1. Dietary fibre intake (from both soluble and insoluble sources) should be increased to a level greater than 30 grams per day.
2. Increased consumption of fluids may be necessary with extra fibre.
3. Inform clients that they may experience greater flatulence from extra fibre.
4. Select foods with resistant starch as they provide similar benefits to fibre.
5. People with diabetes should choose foods with a low GI to reduce fluctuations in blood glucose.
6. The use of foods high in sugars may need to be limited by some clients.
7. Encourage the consumption of a wide variety of unprocessed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, legumes, pasta and rice.
8. Clients should be encouraged to eat more wholemeal or wholegrain bread (with low-fat spreads and toppings) per day.
9. Read food labels for starches and fibre.
10. Choose foods labelled to indicate a higher fibre content.
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