SOURCES OF FIBER IN THE DIET OF IRRITABLE BOWEL PATIENTS PRESCRIBED A HIGH-FIBER DIET

Seventy-two patients (27 male and 45 female) with irritable bowel syndrome were prescribed a high-fibre diet. They were given a diet sheet and variable amounts of individual dietetic counselling. After 6 months they kept a 7-day weighed food inventory. Median (mean) intake of dietary fibre was 19.5 (21.6)g, 57% of which was provided by cereal sources, mainly breads and breakfast cereals. Patients also frequently ate low-fibre and energy-dense foods. Average fibre intakes were greater at the evening (main) meal of the day. However, the largest intakes by individuals were at breakfast and the lunch (snack) meal, which suggests that dietary advice should put emphasis on the consumption of high-fibre breakfast cereals and wholemeal bread at these two meals.