How much fibre does your kid really need?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Health describes fibre as a carbohydrate that your body can’t fully process; instead, it travels through your digestive system without being absorbed.

Dr. Daniel C. Camillery, MD, a pediatrician with Allied Physicians Group, states that fiber assists in maintaining bowel health. He explains to Today’s Parent, “Fibre assists you in maintaining bowel health. It also increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it making it easier to pass and less likely to develop constipation.”

According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Health, there are two kinds of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre is great for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, while insoluble fibre helps keep your digestive system running smoothly and prevents constipation. Both kinds of fibre can be found in foods like nuts, legumes, fruits, and grains.

Fibre benefits children’s health in various ways. According to Dr. Camillery, “Fibre keeps things moving in our digestive system and makes us feel full. Fibre can also help reduce one's risk for developing diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease.”

Additionally, a 2020 study published in the Nutrients suggests that regular fibre intake can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight in children and decrease their likelihood of becoming obese.

Camillery states that there is a wide variety of fibre-packed foods that can be effortlessly integrated into your daily meals, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Additionally, he recommends experimenting with dried fruits like apricots, dates, prunes, and raisins, as well as incorporating peas, beans, and lentils into your diet for added fibre content.

However, The Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of ensuring your child drinks an adequate amount of water for fibre to have its desired effect. Drinking enough water helps in softening and increasing the bulk of stool, making it easier to pass during bowel movements.

Fruits, veggies and whole grains are essential, says registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom, but don't forget that nuts, seeds and beans are high in fibre, too. "The highest-fibre food is beans–chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and all the rest," she says. Here are age-by-age formulas for how much kids should be getting every day.

One- to three-year-olds: 19 grams of fibre 1 cup raspberries (8 g) + 1 cup whole wheat pasta (6 g) + 1 cup squash (5 g)

Four- to eight-year-olds: 25 grams of fibre 1 cup quick oats (4 g) + 1 oz flaxseeds + 1 medium pear (6 g) + 1 cup cauliflower (5 g) + 2 oz raisins (2 g)

Nine- to 13-year-olds: 26 to 31 grams of fibre 2 slices whole-grain bread (4 g) + 1 cup blueberries (4 g) + 1 oz almonds (4 g) + 1 cup chickpeas (12 g) + 3 cups air-popped popcorn (4 g)

Read more: The super 7 power foods 4 ways to get your kid to eat more fruit

5 food traps you’re falling into with your kids

A version of this article appeared in our January 2016 issue with the headline, “You vs. Poo,” pp. 51-56.

Give peas a chance. And navy beans, too. There’s eight grams of protein per serving of this soup. Swirl it up with some sour cream and bacon bits for good measure. Get the recipe: Green Pea and White Bean Soup

Chia seeds are the best. They’re perfectly adaptable and will be your new go-to in the morning (hey, so this pudding sets overnight and is SO easy). Plus, this teeny seed has so much fibre it’s not even funny (34 grams per 100-gram serving—what!!). Get the recipe: Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Great for both lunch and dinner, this make-ahead chili is packed with fibre-rich legumes that your kids will gobble down, no problem. Get the recipe here: Make-Ahead Lentil Chili

The kids won’t even realize they’re eating veggies for breakfast with this one. Using one cup of quick oats gives this dish an extra four grams of fibre. Get the recipe: Spiced Apple Oatmeal in Squash Rings

Give this kid-favourite a fibre-packed spin by swapping heavy potatoes with hearty vegetables. One cup of cauliflower has five grams of fibre! Get the recipe: Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash

Packed with oats, pecans, apricot, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, this snack delivers a protein and fibre one-two punch! What more could you ask for?! Get the recipe: Maple-Olive Oil Granola

Popcorn is a whole grain (though, you don’t have to tell your kids). And you know what else? Three cups of it will get you four grams of fibre! This salty-sweet-spicy kettle corn will have them begging for more. Get the recipe: Cinnamon Toast Kettle Corn

Who says you can’t add oatmeal to meat? If your kids aren’t a fan of oats, this is a great way to sneak it in. Plus, making these cute little muffins cuts your cooking time in half. Get the recipe: Oatmeal Meat Loaf Muffins With Horseradish Frosting

Another great way to eat pear is to add it into a delicious wrap. Your kids will love the sweetness amongst the savoury flavours. Feeling wild? Skip the wrap all together and eat pear slices swaddled up in a salty slice of prosciutto. Get the recipe: European Wrap

Hi easy weeknight dinner. One cup of whole wheat pasta gets you six grams of fibre. Get the recipe: Whole Wheat Pasta with Kale and Red Pepper Pesto

A pear is great on its own, but it’s even more delicious when it’s incorporated into an ooey-gooey grilled cheese. Each pear has six grams’ worth of fibre, so eat up! Get the recipe: Pear and Brie Grilled Cheese

For fibre-to-go, make these muffins. With squishy blueberry and candied ginger, they’re hard to pass up. Get the recipe: Blueberry-Ginger Muffins

Who doesn’t love burgers? This chickpea patty is packed with great sources for high-fibre such as flax seeds, walnuts and quinoa. Get the recipe: Chickpea Burgers

You only need five ingredients to make this healthy and portable snack. Four of them include pitted dates, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and flax seeds—all great sources of fibre for kids (and adults!) Get the recipe: Fruit and Sunflower Seed Bars

If you want an instant dinner and a way to sneak in squash (five grams of fibre per cup), this strata is your go-to dish! Assemble the strata, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before baking. Get the recipe: Summer Squash Strata

Broccoli has your back. With about five grams per cup, try it roasted for a real treat. #roastallthethings Get the recipe: Zesty Roasted Broccoli