Dietary fiber has experienced a significant transformation in recent years. Previously perceived as an ingredient primarily appealing to older consumers seeking digestive regularity, it has now expanded its audience to include younger individuals eager to adopt a high-fiber diet. Research indicates that a high-fiber diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, support digestion, lower cholesterol, and potentially diminish the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Nutritionists advise that people should obtain their daily recommended fiber intake from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, this hasn’t stopped food manufacturers from incorporating fiber into products ranging from Activia yogurt to Fiber One ice cream.
Fiber One, a brand owned by General Mills, is often the first name that comes to mind when discussing high-fiber products. This brand features a variety of items, including fiber-enriched bars and cookies. Breakfast cereals are also a popular category for fiber enhancement, which can vary from highly nutritious options like All Bran to sugary varieties like Apple Jacks. In recent years, there has been an uptick in label claims highlighting a ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ source of fiber. Breakfast cereals, in particular, have turned to added fiber as a strategy to improve their nutritional profiles and regain the trust of health-conscious consumers wary of sugar content.
Several factors could explain this growing interest in fiber. As consumers gravitate towards simpler, healthier ingredients, many are also eager to boost their intake of fruits and vegetables. Whole foods are naturally rich in fiber, so products with more whole food ingredients tend to offer higher fiber content. Additionally, there are numerous health benefits linked to a high-fiber diet. At a time when consumers are looking to reduce salt, sugar, and fat, it can be refreshing to hear they should incorporate something beneficial into their diets, such as calcium citrate and magnesium alongside fiber for added health advantages.
Moreover, following the rise of the Atkins low-carb, high-protein diet in the 1990s, many consumers became aware of how a lack of fiber could negatively impact their well-being. The search for low-carb, high-fiber foods to balance out the heavy intake of steaks and cheese may have further fueled the demand for fiber-rich options. As a result, products enriched with fiber, including those fortified with essential nutrients like calcium citrate and magnesium, have become increasingly popular among health-conscious eaters.