Adequate Intake level recommendations for fiber are gender and age specific. In this blog we've looked at fiber recommendations for adults - but what about kids? The DRI Committee - (Dietary Reference Intake Committee) has set forth loose recommendations for children and fiber - and they say:
Babies 0-6 months
There is no fiber level set for the first six months of life. At this stage, a baby's diet consists solely of breastmilk or formula, neither of which provide any fiber.
Babies 7-12 months
For the second half of the first year of life - although introduction of solid and fiber-containing foods does occur - there is not enough data to set a recommended level for fiber.
Kids 1-3 years
Most healthcare professionals recommend introducing a variety of fruits and vegetables and cereals at this age. Kids aged 1-3 should aim to have 19 grams of fiber per day.
Age 9-13 years
Starting in this age bracket, fiber recommendations differ by gender. Nine-13 year old girls need 26 grams of fiber per day and boys should be eating 31 grams per day.
Kids 4-8 years
For 4-8 year olds, the fiber recommendation is 25 grams per day.
Age 9-13 years
Starting in this age bracket, fiber recommendations differ by gender. Nine-13 year old girls need 26 grams of fiber per day and boys should be eating 31 grams per day.
Age 14-18 years
In adolescence, 14-18 year old girls' fiber needs are 26 grams per day and males increase to 38 grams per day.
Age + 5-10 grams
Researchers in New York determined that a safe range of dietary fiber intake for kids is equal to a child's age plus 5-10 grams of fiber per day*.
*Source: Williams CL, Bollella M, Wynder EL. A new recommendation for dietary fiber intake in childhood. Pediatrics. 1995;96(5 Pt 2):985-988.
Babies 0-6 months
There is no fiber level set for the first six months of life. At this stage, a baby's diet consists solely of breastmilk or formula, neither of which provide any fiber.
Babies 7-12 months
For the second half of the first year of life - although introduction of solid and fiber-containing foods does occur - there is not enough data to set a recommended level for fiber.
Kids 1-3 years
Most healthcare professionals recommend introducing a variety of fruits and vegetables and cereals at this age. Kids aged 1-3 should aim to have 19 grams of fiber per day.
Age 9-13 years
Starting in this age bracket, fiber recommendations differ by gender. Nine-13 year old girls need 26 grams of fiber per day and boys should be eating 31 grams per day.
Kids 4-8 years
For 4-8 year olds, the fiber recommendation is 25 grams per day.
Age 9-13 years
Starting in this age bracket, fiber recommendations differ by gender. Nine-13 year old girls need 26 grams of fiber per day and boys should be eating 31 grams per day.
Age 14-18 years
In adolescence, 14-18 year old girls' fiber needs are 26 grams per day and males increase to 38 grams per day.
Age + 5-10 grams
Researchers in New York determined that a safe range of dietary fiber intake for kids is equal to a child's age plus 5-10 grams of fiber per day*.
*Source: Williams CL, Bollella M, Wynder EL. A new recommendation for dietary fiber intake in childhood. Pediatrics. 1995;96(5 Pt 2):985-988.
