dietary fiber: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-HighNeutral; common in everyday, health, academic, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “dietary fiber” mean?
The indigestible portion of food derived from plants that aids digestion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The indigestible portion of food derived from plants that aids digestion.
In nutrition, it refers to the complex carbohydrates (like cellulose, pectin) that are not broken down by human digestive enzymes, promoting bowel health, aiding satiety, and often associated with cholesterol and blood sugar regulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'fibre' is standard UK; 'fiber' is standard US.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US health discourse due to marketing of 'high-fiber' foods; equally prevalent in UK health contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dietary fiber” in a Sentence
N of dietary fibre (e.g., 'a gram of dietary fibre')ADJ dietary fibre (e.g., 'soluble dietary fibre')V dietary fibre (e.g., 'consume dietary fibre')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dietary fiber” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not a verb]
American English
- [Not a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not an adverb]
American English
- [Not an adverb]
adjective
British English
- A dietary fibre supplement can be beneficial.
- The dietary fibre content is listed on the packet.
American English
- Look for dietary fiber information on the nutrition label.
- Dietary fiber benefits are well-documented.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in food labelling, marketing (e.g., 'High in dietary fibre'), and product development.
Academic
Used in nutrition, medicine, and public health research papers discussing gut microbiota, disease prevention, and metabolic health.
Everyday
Common in conversations about healthy eating, digestion, and dieting (e.g., 'I need more fibre in my diet').
Technical
Precise distinction between soluble (viscous, fermentable) and insoluble types in dietetics and food science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dietary fiber”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dietary fiber”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dietary fiber”
- Incorrect: 'dietary fibres' (generally non-count). Correct: 'dietary fibre'.
- Spelling: Using 'fiber' in UK contexts or 'fibre' in US contexts.
- Confusing 'fibre' with 'protein' or 'fat' in nutritional advice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'roughage' is a common, slightly old-fashioned synonym for dietary fibre, especially in everyday UK English.
Soluble fibre (e.g., in oats, apples) dissolves in water to form a gel, aiding blood sugar and cholesterol. Insoluble fibre (e.g., in wheat bran, vegetables) adds bulk to stool, aiding regular bowel movements.
Yes, a sudden large increase can cause bloating, gas, or cramps. It's best to increase intake gradually and with plenty of fluids.
No, dietary fibre comes exclusively from plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
The indigestible portion of food derived from plants that aids digestion.
Dietary fiber is usually neutral; common in everyday, health, academic, and technical contexts. in register.
Dietary fiber: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ə.təri ˈfaɪ.bə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ə.ter.i ˈfaɪ.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the term is technical/literal]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DIETARY FIBRE factory: a plant's 'FIBRE' (like thread) that you can't digest, but it 'sweeps' your DIETary tract clean.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIETARY FIBRE IS A CLEANSING BRUSH / SCAFFOLDING FOR THE GUT.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a common synonym for 'dietary fibre' in everyday UK English?