Fibre Diet, High Fibre Foods. Fibre (roughage) is the part of plant food that is not digested. It stays in your gut and is passed in the stools (faeces). Fibre adds bulk to the stools. This helps your bowels to work well and helps to prevent some bowel and anal conditions. Why is fibre important? Stools (faeces) are usually soft and easy to pass if you eat enough fibre and you drink enough fluid. We should aim to eat at least 1. Fibre is filling but it has no calories and is not digested. May reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. May help to lower your blood lipid (cholesterol) level. May reduce the risk of developing diabetes and help to control your blood sugar levels. Increasing your fibre intake has also been shown to improve the population of helpful germs (bacteria) in your gut, known as the microbiome. An unhealthy microbiome has been linked with many conditions, and not just those of the gut such as bowel cancer. It has been linked with the immune system, diabetes, mental health, inflammation and obesity. Our understanding of the role of the microbiome on our health is only just beginning. However, it seems that a diet high in fibre is the most important factor in making sure our microbiome helps to keep us healthy. Types of fibre. There are two types of fibre in the diet - insoluble fibre and soluble fibre. They work in different ways in the body. A combination of both types of fibre should form part of a healthy balanced diet in order to keep your gut healthy. Many foods containing fibre will naturally contain both types. Insoluble fibre. This type of fibre cannot be dissolved in water. It passes through the digestive system mostly unchanged. It acts like a sponge and absorbs water, adds bulk to stools (faeces) and allows waste to be passed through bowels more quickly. This helps to prevent constipation and other conditions such as piles (haemorrhoids) and diverticular disease. This type of fibre is found in: Skin, pith and pips of fruit and vegetables. Wheat and bran. Corn (maize). Nuts and whole grains. Soluble fibre. This type of fibre dissolves in water and can be broken down by the natural germs (bacteria) in the bowels. It softens stools and makes them larger, so that they are easier to pass. When mixed with water, it also forms a gel in the stomach. The gel binds with excess cholesterol so it does not get absorbed, which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. Also, soluble fibre helps to slow down the digestion of food; therefore, sugar (glucose - our main source of energy) is released and absorbed slowly. This keeps our blood sugar levels steady. This type of fibre is found in: Oats. Barley. Psyllium and ispaghula. Nuts and seeds. Fruit and vegetables. Beans and pulses. High- fibre foods. These include the following: Wholemeal or wholewheat bread, biscuits and flour. Wholegrain breakfast cereals such as All- Bran. A simple thing like changing your regular breakfast cereal can make a big difference to the amount of fibre you eat each day. Brown rice, and wholemeal spaghetti and other wholemeal pasta. Fruit and vegetables. Aim to eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. One portion is: One large fruit such as an apple, pear, banana, orange, or a large slice of melon or pineapple. Two smaller fruits such as plums, satsumas, etc. One cup of small fruits such as grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, etc. One tablespoon of dried fruit. A normal portion of any vegetable (about two tablespoons). One dessert bowl of salad. Fibre supplements (sometimes called bulk- forming laxatives)You may be advised by your doctor to take extra fibre supplements if you have constipation or other bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. Several are available. You can buy them at pharmacies or health food shops: Unprocessed bran is a cheap fibre supplement. You can sprinkle bran on breakfast cereals, or mix it with fruit juices, milk, stews, soups, crumbles, pastries, scones, etc. However, bran may not be suitable for you (see below). Other fibre supplements include ispaghula husk (psyllium), methylcellulose, sterculia, wheat dextrin, inulin fibre, and whole linseeds (soaked in water). There are various branded products that contain these supplements (a pharmacist can advise). Fluid. Fibre needs fluid to work, so have plenty to drink when you eat a high- fibre diet or fibre supplements. Drink at least two litres (about 8- 1. This is to prevent a blockage of the gut, which is a rare complication of eating a lot of fibre without adequate fluid. This might include water, sugar- free squashes, herbal/fruit teas, tea and coffee. Increasing fibre in the diet. Most people can increase their fibre intake without having any problems. However, if fibre intake is suddenly increased, this can cause symptoms of wind and bloating. If you experience these symptoms then introduce high- fibre foods gradually to allow the gut to become used to the extra fibre. Introduce one new food over a two- to three- day period. For example, have porridge for breakfast on the first day; then add beans or extra vegetables to a casserole two days later; then maybe have an extra piece of fruit two to three days later. Your gut will gradually become used to the higher fibre intake and the symptoms should settle down. Some people report that a high- fibre diet causes some persistent mild symptoms such as mild pains and bloating. In particular, some people with irritable bowel syndrome find that an increase in fibre makes symptoms worse. This may be related to the type of fibre you take. Soluble fibre is more helpful than insoluble fibre, especially when aiming to ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Bran and other insoluble- based fibre may actually make symptoms worse in some people. So, as you increase fibre intake, make sure you are getting plenty of soluble fibre. Dietary sources of soluble fibre include oats, ispaghula (psyllium), nuts and seeds, some fruit and vegetables and pectins. A fibre supplement called ispaghula powder is also available from pharmacies and health food shops. Insoluble fibre is chiefly found in corn (maize) bran, wheat bran and some fruit and vegetables. Dietary fiber and body weight. High Fibre Diet Review. Dietitian, Juliette Kellow is a big fan of high fibre diets like the F Plan because they're great for both weight loss and good health. Tips for increasing fibre. Swap white bread for wholemeal bread. Swap refined cereals such as Rice Krispies.
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