fibre

• fibre is sometimes called non-starch polysaccharide
• fibre is a type of carbohydrate that helps to keep your digestive system working properly and keeps food moving through it
• fibre is found in things like:

  • vegetables - peas, broccoli, carrots or potatoes (especially skin)
  • fruit and fruit juice - raspberries, prunes, bananas, apples
  • brown bread and wholemeal foods
  • lentils, beans seeds and nuts
• you need to eat lots of fibre to stay healthy.
• too little fibre can lead to health problems such as:

  • constipation
  • bowel and colon cancer
  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
• the average adult should have 30g of fibre a day
• young children need less fibre because the 'fullness' fibre gives people can stop them from eating foods that contain other important nutrients