This Is Why Your Diet Needs to Include Fiber

In this video, learn the importance of fiber in the diet and the consequences for not eating enough fiber.

Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Updated on March 31, 2023

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Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that doesn’t get digested into sugar molecules for energy, like starches do; instead, fiber passes through the intestines undigested. Fiber comes from plant foods, like beans, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts (i.e., not just bran muffins).

Humans are blessed with not one but two types of fiber for health benefits: soluble and insoluble fiber. Learn more about the difference between these two types of fiber here.

References

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2020). Fiber.

American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Types of carbohydrates.

View All References (2)

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Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022). Fiber.

National Institutes of Health. (2010). Rough up your diet.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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