Eat more wholemeal Real Bread!

According to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2019 to 2023, 96% of UK adults don't eat enough fibre.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition recommends that adults should consume around 30g of fibre a day, and (depending on age) children should eat 15-25g.

The 2019-23 survey found that only 4% of adults met that target, with the national average intake below 17g per day. The majority of children also did not eat the recommended amount of fibre. On average, the lower the income, the lower the fibre intake.

Wholemeal sourdough

Typically, wholemeal bread (ie all of the flour comprises 100% of the grain) is high fibre, meaning it has 6g or more fibre per 100g; while white bread typically has less than 3g of fibre per 100g.

More research is needed but some studies suggest there are health and nutritional benefits to making wholemeal bread by the sourdough process. These might include helping to reduce levels of the 'antinutrient' phytic acid (concentrated in bran) which binds with certain minerals, limiting the body's ability to make use of them.

The sourdough process might also reduce FODMAPs, which are found in higher levels in wholemeal bread and white. 

(Meanwhile, UK adults typically eat around 45-55% more protein than we need, based on the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) of 0.75g per kilo of body weight. There are exceptions - for example, there is concern that older people don't eat enough to maintain healthy body mass.)

Note: This article is for information only, rather than health / nutrition advice.