FIBER

FIBER

Kids need fiber, too. The right amount of fiber helps fight childhood obesity and the development of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. But how much do they need?

The American Health Foundation provides this easy-to-use formula to calculate daily fiber needs for kids ages 3 through 18: Just add 5 to your child's age to get the number of total grams of daily fiber your child needs.

For example, a 10-year-old needs about 15 grams (10+ 5 = 15). As you slowly increase fiber-containing foods in your child's diet, increase fluids such as water and juice, too.