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What is dietary fiber?
Dietary fiber, often called roughage, is the indigestible plant-derived food component. Fiber is not digested by the body. It passes through the stomach, intestines, colon and then out of our body.

There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble fiber — found mainly in fruits and vegetables — and insoluble fiber, which is found mainly in cereals and whole grains.

Why is Fiber Important to include in your child’s diet?
Fiber is an important nutrient that most children are not getting enough of each day. As parents, you do your best to feed your family healthy foods, but you may need help with choosing good sources of fiber. There are a lot of reasons to encourage fiber in your child’s diet, and to make sure you are getting enough as well.

Of course, the most obvious benefits of fiber have to do with digestion. When paired with good hydration, fiber helps help move food through your child’s digestive system - promoting healthy bowel function and protecting against constipation.

Good sources of fiber include -Vegetables, Fruit,Beans,Peas,Nuts & Fiber-rich whole-grain breads and cereals

How Much Fiber Do Children Need?
The best sources of fiber are usually whole food items. That can make it difficult to calculate just how much fiber your child is getting. The good news is that many of these sources are tasty. You don’t have to force vegetables or gritty grains on your child in order to get them the fiber they need.

There are different fiber recommendations for children based on energy needs, age, or weight. Currently, children consume amounts of dietary fiber that appear to be inadequate for optimal health promotion and disease prevention.

A simple way to make sure your children are getting enough fiber is by making healthful food choices. If your children are eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day along with other foods that are good sources of fiber, there is really no need to count fiber grams.

It is however prudent to recommend that children older than 2 years of age increase dietary fiber intake to an amount equal to or greater than their age + 5 g/day.

According to the "age + 5" rule, dietary fiber intake would increase from 8 g/day at age 3 years to 25 g/day by age 20 years. Dietary fiber intake should be increased gradually in childhood by increasing consumption of a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and other whole-grain products

Want to consult?
To discuss about your child diet or any health related issues, feel free to contact your Paediatrician at neo care – New Born & Child Clinic, Ashirwad Complex, Sector 104, Noida.