Chronic Disease Care Management and Education

 The Importance of Fiber

Aim for 25 – 35 grams of fiber per day!
Click here for a list of foods with fiber 

Fiber is a unique part of the carbohydrate family.  It can help manage blood sugars, reduce high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, assist with weight loss and maintain a healthy digestive system. Despite its benefits, many people do not eat enough fiber. To increase your daily fiber intake, try to choose more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  

 

Fiber and Carbohydrate Counting 

raspberries

When counting carbohydrates, fiber requires special consideration. Remember, in general, 100% of carbohydrate turns into blood sugar. When fiber is eaten, only half (½ ) the grams turn into blood sugar.

Recall that on the nutrition facts label the grams of fiber are included in the total carbohydrate value listed. When counting carbohydrates, subtract half (½ ) the grams of fiber from the total carbohydrate grams as demonstrated below.

Fiber and sugar are part of the total carbohdyrate gram amount listed.  Subtract half the grams of fiber from the total carbohydrate amount:food label 


 

 

 15 grams total carbohydrate (total carbohydrates)
  - 2 grams fiber (½  of the total fiber)                     
= 13 grams of total carbohydrate will affect your blood sugar
 

 

 


 

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