Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

The definition of fiber changed a few years ago and the meaning on the label changed at the same. Let me illustrate with a simple example

Consider Old Fashion 100% Natural Quaker Oats. On the label it says that it contains 4 grams of fibre of which 2 grams is SF and 2 grams is IF.

Consider the newer Quaker Oats' Take To Heart instant Golden Maple oatmeal. The label states it contains 5 grams of fiber of which 4 grams is SF.

How come there is a difference?

One of the things that changed was the definition of Total Fiber. It changed from being solely Total Dietary Fiber (i.e. SF + IF) to being Dietary Fibre plus Functional Fiber .

Functional Fiber consists of nondigestible carbohydrates such as resistant starches that have beneficial physiological effects in humans. Many functional fibers act just like SF and they are sometimes called SF on the label. Prebiotics are functional foods.

Now look at the ingredient list for the newer instant Golden Maple oatmeal:

WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, BROWN SUGAR, SUGAR, MALTODEXTRIN, UNSULPHURED MOLASSES, POTASSIUM GLUCONATE, OAT BRAN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MILLED FLAXSEED, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, GUAR GUM, VITAMIN E ACETATE, CARAMEL COLOR, SODIUM ASCORBATE, ASCORBIC ACID, SUCRALOSE, NIACINAMIDE*, BETA CAROTENE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, FOLIC ACID*, RIBOFLAVIN*, THIAMIN MONONITRATE*, CYANOCOBALAMIN*.

Notice the fourth item on the list is maltodextrin. It is a functional food. By adding it and other ingredients to the instant oatmeal cereal compared to 100% natural oatmeal ceral the overall IF content decreased by 1 gram and the SF (including functional fiber that act like SF) increased by 2 grams.

Now consider rice

Note from the table that brown rice contains about 4 times as much dietary fiber compared to white rice. Other data sources such as the Finelli Food Database tells that about 90% of the dietary fiber in both types of rice is IF

Also note from the table that both types of rice are composed of approximately 14-16% resistant starch of which approximately 15% is the functional fiber - the part that reaches the colon.

In summary, white rice contains about 2% dietary fiber most of which is IF and 2% functional fiber that acts like SF. Brown rice contains about 6% dietary fiber most of which is IF and 2.5% functional fiber which acts like SF.

I hope this helps. Good luck

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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
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The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

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