Most Parents Know They’re Low on Fibre. But Don’t Understand Why That’s a Problem.

Question 9 reveals a huge disconnect between what parents think they know about fibre and what’s actually happening in their daily diet. While most admit they probably don’t get enough, they’re not acting on it because they don’t fully understand why it matters. And more than 1 in 5 parents believe they’re meeting their fibre needs, despite clear evidence showing that over 90 percent of people fall short. This is more than a nutrient gap. It’s a health education gap and it’s costing parents their energy, mood, and resilience.

Survey Insight: Parents Admit They’re Low on Fibre — But Don’t See Why That Matters

If you’ve ever hit the 3pm crash, felt sluggish for no clear reason, or found yourself constantly bloated and irritable your fibre intake might be the missing piece.

We asked 392 parents,
“Do you think you get enough fibre each day? (Recommended: 30g)”
Here’s what they told us:

Answer	Count	Percentage
Probably not	249	63.5%
Yes, I think so	84	21.4%
No idea	59	15.1%

1. Most parents know they’re not getting enough fibre — but don’t act on it

Nearly two-thirds of parents admit they’re probably falling short on fibre. That’s a great first step  awareness. But it’s also a red flag. Because if you know something’s missing but still don’t prioritise it, it means one of two things:

• You don’t really believe it matters
  
• You don’t know how to fix it
  

And that’s exactly what’s happening here. Fibre isn’t seen as urgent, because most people only associate it with bowel movements. Not energy. Not mood. Not immune health. Not parenting capacity.

But here’s what fibre really does:

• Supports gut health and the gut–brain axis
  
• Regulates blood sugar to prevent crashes and cravings
  
• Produces short-chain fatty acids, which reduce inflammation
  
• Helps with hormone balance, satiety, and even mental clarity
  

Key takeaway: Knowing you’re low on fibre isn’t enough. You need to know why it matters.

2. Over 20 percent think they’re getting enough, but the data says otherwise

This is one of the most revealing stats in the entire survey. 21.4% of parents believe they’re hitting their fibre target. But the reality?

More than 90 percent of UK adults don’t meet the 30g daily recommendation.

So what’s causing the gap?

• Many people overestimate their veg and fruit intake
  
• Fibre-rich foods are often missing from convenience meals
  
• Packaged products labelled “whole grain” or “high fibre” are often misleading
  
• Ultra-processed foods dominate the parenting diet and those are almost always fibre-poor
  

This is a classic belief-behaviour mismatch. People think they’re doing OK. But the evidence says otherwise.

Key takeaway: Most parents are confident in a diet that’s not serving them and they don’t even realise it.

3. 15 percent have no idea and that’s the starting line for real change

Fifty-nine people said they have no idea if they get enough fibre. That’s not a small group. It’s 1 in 6 parents. And it tells us fibre still hasn’t broken into the everyday health conversation.

No one’s talking about it in relatable terms.
No one’s explaining how it helps your patience at bedtime, your energy in the afternoon, or your ability to regulate your mood.

But here’s the opportunity: this group is open. They’re curious. And with the right message, they’ll be your quickest converts.

Key takeaway: This isn’t just about information. It’s about making fibre relevant to real life.

Final Thoughts: Parents Know They’re Lacking Fibre — But No One’s Helped Them Care

This question makes it clear. Fibre isn’t being ignored. It’s being misunderstood.
Parents are busy, tired, and trying to survive the day. If you want them to care about fibre, you have to show them what it does for their life, not just their digestion.

Because when fibre is explained through the lens of parenting, more patience, less stress, better sleep, fewer energy dips, it stops being boring. It becomes essential.

And that’s exactly what FiiHii is here to do.

5 Key Takeaways

1. 63.5% of parents admit they probably don’t get enough fibre, but aren’t prioritising it.
   
2. Over 1 in 5 think they’re getting enough, even though 90% of adults fall short.
   
3. 15% have no idea how much fibre they get, showing fibre hasn’t gone mainstream.
   
4. The core issue isn’t fibre intake, it’s fibre education.
   
5. Parents won’t prioritise fibre until they understand how it impacts their mood, energy, and parenting stamina.
   

Ready to feel less foggy, more focused, and less reactive with your kids?

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