Dr. Meghan Rossi Explains Why Eating More Plants May Not Increase Fibre Intake

Dr. Meghan Rossi, a renowned gut health expert, says eating more plants is not enough to get enough fibre. She is known for her knowledge of health and nutrition.
On Instagram, Dr. Rossi talked about fibre consumption. Most Britons do not eat enough fibre.
Only 7% of Brits know they need 30g of fibre daily. The UK Government increased the recommended fibre intake from 24g to 30g in 2015.
The average Brit eats only 16g of fibre per day. Eating enough fibre reduces the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Dr. Rossi says increasing fruit and vegetable intake is not enough to solve the fibre problem. More consideration is required.
Different plants have different amounts of fibre. Focusing on 'fibre-efficient' foods can help meet the daily target.
Dr. Rossi shared graphs showing how much of certain foods are needed to get 5g of fibre. For example, 1kg of cucumbers or 14g of chia seeds are needed.
5g of fibre can be found in 417g of peppers, 192g of broccoli, or 131g of Brussels sprouts. Wholegrains like brown rice and pearl barley also contain fibre.
Bananas have 5g of fibre per 294g, while blueberries have 5g per 208g. Avocados have 5g of fibre per 75g.
Legumes like tofu, peas, and kidney beans are good sources of fibre. Lentils have 5g of fibre per 63g.
Nuts like pistachios and almonds are good sources of fibre. Chia seeds have 5g of fibre per 14g.
Dr. Rossi says people often eat more plants but still do not get enough fibre. She explains the concept of 'fibre efficiency'.
Dr. Rossi says people get stuck because they choose low-fibre foods. Plant diversity is important, but high-fibre foods are necessary to meet the daily target.
Eating more plants may not be the best way to increase fibre intake.
GutsUK explains that fibre is a part of plant foods that the body cannot digest. It travels to the large bowel where it helps gut bacteria.
Fibre is important for gut health. It adds bulk to stool, prevents constipation, and acts as a prebiotic for gut bacteria.
When fibre reaches the bowel, bacteria ferment it and produce essential nutrients. A healthy gut microbiome is necessary for overall health.
By consuming lots of fibre, you can boost beneficial bacteria, improve your immune system, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.