A healthy diet requires a balance of all food groups and types, and
fibre is an important, but sometimes overlooked, component.
Known to help prevent various ailments from
heart-disease to
diabetes,
digestive health to
weight gain, there are a plethora of compelling reasons to enjoy a fibre rich diet.

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There are
two types of fibre -
soluble and
insoluble - and they each play a different role in our overall health, therefore it is vital to get enough of each kind.
Adults should be aiming for roughly
30g per day, while
children can require anywhere
between 15g and 30g depending on age and activity levels.

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Interestingly, fibre is only sourced from
plant and non-animal foods, so by incorporating more of these foods into your diet, you naturally reap the benefits of more fruit and veg.
For some practical tips on
how to increase your daily fibre intake, try one or two of our thoughts below:
Choose a high fibre cereal to jump-start your day. Bran flakes or oats are good choices.

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Opt for wholewheat varieties of bread, pasta and rice instead of the highly processed white varieties.

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Snack on a handful of nuts daily - hazelnuts and almonds are particularly fibre rich.

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Enjoy beans more often by replacing or including legumes in meat dishes. For example, kidney beans pack a potent fibre punch and make a great veggie chilli con carne, and chickpeas pair nicely with a vegetable curry.

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Eat whole fruit and veg wherever possible. Although juices can be a beneficial and easy way to add more nutrition to a diet, they are often without the fibre content of the raw produce.

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Introduce some mighty flax to your everyday dining. Flax seeds or ground flax can be sprinkled on top of porridge or cereal, mixed through baked goods, or dusted over a salad for a delicious nutty taste!
Do you have any tricks for adding more fibre into your diet? What are your favourite fibre rich foods? Let us know if the comments section!
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Categories
#Nutrition