Fibre - Simply Veg

Why does fibre matter?

Fibre is an important part of a healthy diet. It helps keep our digestive system working well and supports a healthy gut. The good news is that fibre is found in lots of everyday foods, including vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils and wholegrains.

Where do I even start? We’ve asked our experts to help. The BBC and Cambridge University’s Professor Giles Yeo makes the science easy. Registered Nutritionists and Sunday Times bestsellers Rhiannon Lambert and Charlotte Stirling-Reed explain how we get more fibre and Lauren Leyva, home cook and presenter shows how easy it is to add more fibre to the food we already enjoy.

What is fibre and why do we need it?

Fibre is the part of plant foods that our bodies don’t fully digest. It helps food move through our digestive system and plays an important role in keeping our gut healthy. If you are a newbie to fibre, start here with our All About Fibre video.

How does fibre fit into a healthy diet?

Fibre is found in a wide range of plant foods, so eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils and wholegrains is a simple way to get more fibre into family meals. Rhiannon Lambert explains why fibre is important and how it fits into our diets.

What does fibre do for your gut?

Fibre helps keep our digestive system moving and provides food for the helpful bacteria living in our gut. Different types of fibre can support our gut in different ways. Prof. Giles Yeo breaks it down.

3 easy ways to get more fibre into your family’s day

Making your meals go further

Adding beans and extra vegetables to dishes your family already loves is an easy way to boost fibre without reinventing your mealtimes.

> MAKING MEALS GO FURTHER

Choose beans at school lunch

When there’s a bean-based option on the menu, choosing it can be a simple way for children to get more fibre at lunchtime.

Discover Beans

Beans and pulses come in many different shapes, colours and sizes, but one thing they have in common is that they are cheap, filling and easily available in either dried or tinned format, which is exactly why Bang in Some Beans works so well for busy families.

> FIND OUT MORE

While fibre is a fantastic nutrient, if you go from eating low to high levels quickly, it may cause some bloating or discomfort. Add new fibre sources in slowly rather than all at once!