Adding fiber to grain products and snacks has become quite popular, as fiber is severely under-consumed throughout the world. The U.S. recommendation for fiber consumption is 14 g. per 1,000 calories or 28 g. for the average person on a 2,000 calorie per day diet (25 g. for women; 38 g. for men). The requirement is based on the amount of fiber thought to be necessary to lower cardiovascular disease risk.
The current estimate for U.S. fiber consumption is about 15 g. a day, so most of the population gets only one-third to one-half of the recommended amount of fiber. Less than 5% of the U.S. population over the age of 2 years meets the fiber requirement. While enriched grains are not the best source of fiber—because they are consumed in such quantity—they do make a substantial contribution to fiber intake in the U.S.