Recommended grams of fiber per 1000 calories for high fiber diet

Phaewryn

The USDA states that the recommended dietary fiber intake is 14 grams per every 1000 calories consumed, according to this link: http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter7.htm

I've also read that the recommendation from doctors for a high fiber diet of 20-35 grams of fiber per day is ASSUMING you're eating a 1500-2000 calorie daily diet.

I am prescribed a high fiber diet due to a health issue (IBS, Pandiverticulosis), but I only eat 900-1300 calories per day on average. What I'd like to know is exactly how many grams of fiber per 1000 calories is "normal" and how many grams of fiber per 1000 calories is "high fiber".

I am finding it difficult to eat the recommended 20-35 grams of daily fiber, which makes sense if that's for a 2000 calorie diet. I'd like to know exactly how many grams is recommended as "High Fiber" PER 1000 CALORIES. I'm working on the assumption that if the USDA recommends 14 grams per 1000 calories, that is the "normal" recommendation, and if you are prescribed a high fiber diet, probably 5 more grams would be about right. So 19 grams fiber per every 1000 calories would be ideal? Anyone here know for sure?

Also: I have read that the USDA nutritional data calorie counts on foods do not consider the fiber. http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/do-fiber-calories-count.htm goes into it a bit, and http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fat-chance-of-slimming-dieters-who-eat-high-fibre-foods-consume-more-calories-scientists-say-8500122.html and http://www.caloriecount.com/do-fiber-calories-count-b565243 are also concerning. What do YOU do? Do you tack on extra calories in your food log to account for the fiber calories that our USDA nutritional system doesn't include on the Nutritional Facts, or do you consider it "free calories" and ignore them?

janjunie

900-1300 calories a day? I can't imagine that you have much energy eating that little. It's not healthy to eat below 1200 calories a day unless you are very short. Looking at your food diary and how little you have left to lose you can and should eat more.

Phaewryn

janjunie wrote: »

900-1300 calories a day? I can't imagine that you have much energy eating that little. It's not healthy to eat below 1200 calories a day unless you are very short. Looking at your food diary and how little you have left to lose you can and should eat more.

I'm not trying to lose weight, I have been at this weight (within 10 lbs of) for over a year at the current calories I consume, and it is working for me. I am on the very top end (leaning towards overweight) of "ideal" according to my BMI. I am simply maintaining a HEALTHY BMI on the diet I am eating. I *am* short. I also live an almost completely sedentary lifestyle (due to chronic pain issues which do not factor into this conversation). I went for a 25 minute brisk walk today, and I feel fine, thank you. If I get below a healthy BMI or increase my activity level, I will most assuredly increase my calorie intake.

Now, can we get back on the topic of FIBER?

Psychgrrl

I'd never seen the guidelines based on the amount of calories. Maybe I never read it right. I always try for at least 35g. Try to keep things moving. If you do try to increase your amount, do it slowly (1-2g at a time for a week and then increase), or you'll risk becoming constipated.

Phaewryn

Psychgrrl wrote: »

I'd never seen the guidelines based on the amount of calories. Maybe I never read it right. I always try for at least 35g. Try to keep things moving. If you do try to increase your amount, do it slowly (1-2g at a time for a week and then increase), or you'll risk becoming constipated.

I doubt it's how you read it, it's just that it's so common to refer to all dietary practices using the "average 2000 calorie diet" figures, no-one thinks about what this means to lesser calorie dieters. I'm actually on the high fiber diet to combat that, so far so good (but I am also on a new prescription medication for it as well). 35 grams is impossible for me without using a fiber supplement, unless I am doing everything completely wrong. I suppose if I eat lentils for every meal...

CurlyCockney

Are you sure calorie goal has any bearing on your fibre intake need? My specialist nurse has me on 25-30g fibre per day, and says it makes no difference how many calories I'm on - I just need to reach that 25-30g. Check with your doctor (or whoever prescribed your high-fibre diet) to see if it makes a difference for you, and if it does ask them what your target should be in grammes for your calorie goal.

Phaewryn

My doctor seems to not really care how much fiber I actually eat, so long as I say I'm eating a high fiber diet, she "believes" me. She shows no interest in my extensive efforts to track all my foods. We try a prescription, it doesn't work, we try another prescription. The gastroenterologist that prescribed the diet, when I asked for clarification, said "If you're already eating a high fiber diet, don't add more", and gave me a pre-printed sheet that states "20 to 35 grams a day" and a list of common foods and their fiber content. Anyway, I got the "14 grams per 1000 calories" info off the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, so I assume it's accurate?

CurlyCockney

I don't know how reliable US websites are. The NHS recommends 30g per day (again, number of calories is irrelevant), but if you have specific needs it's better to get specific targets from your medical team, not generalised info from websites.

Phaewryn

CurlyCockney wrote: »

I don't know how reliable US websites are. The NHS recommends 30g per day (again, number of calories is irrelevant), but if you have specific needs it's better to get specific targets from your medical team, not generalised info from websites.

Thanks.

lemurcat12

Phaewryn wrote: »

I am prescribed a high fiber diet due to a health issue (IBS, Pandiverticulosis), but I only eat 900-1300 calories per day on average. What I'd like to know is exactly how many grams of fiber per 1000 calories is "normal" and how many grams of fiber per 1000 calories is "high fiber".

If you are eating a prescribed diet, the only person who can answer this is your doctor or dietitian. Why wouldn't you ask them?

Edit: seeing your post above, I mean saying very specifically: "how many grams of fiber do you consider high fiber diet if I eat only 900-1300 calories per day?" And I would assume and hope that they know your calorie intake already, and if not I do think that's pertinent information.

cw106

i suffer from 2 same diagnosed problems.
i am prescribed fybogel and laxido,which both add 12g fibre for about 20 cals daily.
berries are lowest cal to highest fibre ratio i can eat.
high fibre soya+ linseed bread,daily soup and veggies get me to 45-60g fibre daily on about 1900 cals net.
diary is open.
dont get hung up on pre-set numbers,your doctor/dietician should have better advice for you.
at the end of the day,it takes trial and error on your part to find a working,liveable solution.
good luck.