Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, yet it is a nutrient that is under-consumed by the majority of Americans. I, too, fall into the majority and understand how difficult it is to meet the daily recommended intake. I am attempting to address my shortfall by adding wheat bran to my morning meal, but the challenge is even harder with my three growing children. Given their ever-changing palates, products containing fortified fibers are tremendously helpful.
A study led by Marla M. Reicks, Ph.D., professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, found that most children and adults in the U.S. are falling far short of the daily fiber intake recommended by the Institute of Medicine (Nutrition Research, 34(3):226–234). While adults need 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day (based on a metric of daily caloric intake—12.5 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed are recommended), only about half of Americans meet this standard.