From Vincent Iannelli, M.D.,
Your Guide to Pediatrics.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and most experts recommend that both children and adults eat a high fiber diet.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 'people who eat a lot of fiber are less likely to be obese, have heart disease, or develop problems affecting the bowel, including constipation and cancer.'

Eating a lot of foods high in fiber is especially important to prevent and treat constipation in your children.

How much fiber do kids need? The general recommendation is that the amount of fiber that they eat each day should be equal to their age in years plus 5. So a 5 year old needs 10g of fiber each day and a 12 year old needs about 17g.

Foods that are usually high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals and breads. And reading food labels can help you to choose foods that are high in fiber. For example, the food label pictured above shows just 1g of dietary fiber, while a food high in fiber, like a can of vegetable soup, might have 4 or 5g of fiber per serving.