One 'easy' breakfast swap to boost your fibre intake – as most over-50s fall short

One 'easy' breakfast swap to boost your fibre intake – as most over-50s fall short Only one in three over 50s know if they are getting enough fibre in their diet - but a simple swap can help Only one in three over 50s know if they are getting enough fibre in their diet - with many convinced they're not. A study of 2,000 adults found just 35% of those aged 50 and above were aware of the NHS's recommendation of eating 30g of fibre a day. According to the survey, 48% of those over 50 are unaware which foods can help increase their intake. In comparison, 75% of Gen Z feel confident they can identify high-fibre foods, with those aged 18-29 crediting social media (29%) and influencers (15%) for bettering their knowledge of what they need to eat. The study was commissioned by Kellogg's , which is encouraging the older generation to embrace the F-word at the breakfast table. “Fibre has a bit of a reputation problem," Nutritionist May Simpkin, said, "People know it matters, but it can still sound functional, clinical or even a little boring. In reality, it is one of the most important everyday nutrients to understand, particularly in midlife. "Ironically, the over-50s are the least confident age group when it comes to fibre, with many unsure how much they should be eating each day. “The good news is that increasing fibre does not need to mean a complicated diet overhaul. Breakfast is one of the easiest places to start, whether that is choosing a high-fibre cereal, adding fruit, seeds or nuts, or simply becoming more aware of the foods that help you move closer to your daily target.” The study also found fibre was not top of mind for many, with 27% of all those polled admitting it's not an important consideration for them when making food choices. As a result, 30% don’t think they have enough fibre in their diet. Protein topped the list of health topics adults hear about most online or from friends and family (29%), followed by calories and gut health (both 24%). In contrast, only 12% said they regularly hear conversations about fibre. What's more, 29% track their daily steps and 25% monitor calories, but only 15% keep tabs on their fibre intake. Four in ten said they are actively trying to make healthier choices, with a further 30% admitting they would like to improve their habits but find it difficult. When it came to boosting their intake, breakfast was seen as the easiest opportunity to get more fibre into their diet, according to 33% of those polled via OnePoll. Cereal and milk were the most popular breakfast choice overall, eaten by 31%, ahead of eggs and toast, both at 18%. May Simpkin added: "Fibre doesn't always compete with trendier health conversations around protein, calories or supplements, even though it plays an important role in our overall wellbeing. "Many people want to make healthier choices but aren't always sure where to start, and fibre is often overlooked despite being one of the simplest things we can improve. "Small changes can have a meaningful impact, particularly when they're built into existing routines. "Choosing a fibre-rich breakfast is an easy and accessible way to help close the gap, with some cereals, such as All-Bran, providing 7.8g of fibre - almost a third of your recommended daily intake.”