Nutrition
The facts on fiber
How much do you need, and why don't you eat enough?
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Think you eat enough fiber? Think again. Adults should eat 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed. This is 28 to 34 grams of fiber per day for most men. However, most eat less than half that amount, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025.
Why so little? Blame poor food choices, says Dr. Walter Willet, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "People eat more ready-to-eat processed foods, which are made from refined grains stripped of fiber, such as white rice and white flour and found in pasta, pastries, cakes, and crackers."
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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