Fiber Math: Do the Numbers Add Up?
Most people know that fiber is important for health, but many are surprised to learn how little they actually eat. While adults generally need about 25 to 38 grams of fiber each day, depending on age and sex, the average American consumes only about 15 grams per day. That means many people are falling short by 10 to 20 grams every day. Fiber helps support digestive health, promotes fullness, supports heart health, and can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, making it one of the most important nutrients to include in your diet.
Our Fiber Math resource helps learners compare how much fiber they need with how much they are actually getting. By learning to read Nutrition Facts labels and add up fiber grams throughout the day, participants can quickly identify opportunities to boost their intake. The good news is that fiber is found in many delicious foods. Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, peas, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and high-fiber cereals can all help close the fiber gap. Simple swaps such as choosing whole wheat bread instead of white bread, adding beans to soups and salads, snacking on fruit, or starting the day with oatmeal can make a big difference. With a little Fiber Math, healthy eating adds up fast! 🌾🍎🥦🫘📊
