What Do You Know About Dietary Fiber?

You hear a lot about fiber and why you need it. But what is it? Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested. It is found in all plants eaten as part of a healthy diet. Learn more about this important part of your diet by taking this quiz.

1. Fiber is classified in 2 main types. One type is soluble. How is soluble fiber defined?

A. It is broken down completely in milk B. It partly dissolves in water C. It doesn't dissolve in orange juice D. None of the above

2. The other type of fiber is insoluble fiber. What happens to insoluble fiber when you eat it?

A. The fiber is broken down in the stomachB. The fiber is broken down in the small intestineC. The fiber is broken down in the large intestineD. The fiber passes through the gastrointestinal tract intact

3. How much fiber should adults consume each day?

A. 15 to 20 gramsB. 25 to 38 gramsC. 35 to 50 gramsD. 50 to 75 grams

4. Which of these breakfast foods is considered a 1-ounce serving?

A. Half-cup hot cerealB. 1 cup flaked cerealC. Quarter-cup nugget or bud cerealD. All of the above

5. Which of these methods is a good way to increase your daily fiber intake?

A. Eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruit juicesB. Snack on raw vegetables instead of chips or crackersC. Go meatless several times a week by substituting legumes for meat in recipesD. All of the above

6. A diet high in fiber has been linked to a lower risk for heart disease.

A. TrueB. False

7. Fiber helps prevent constipation. Fiber from which source seems to be better for accomplishing this?

A. Fiber from fruitsB. Fiber from vegetablesC. Fiber from wheat and oat branD. All of the above