Vanessa Courtier

Most people don't eat enough fibre. You need fibre daily for a healthy digestion and to prevent constipation. When you eat more fibre, it's important to also drink more fluid, such as water. This helps your body make the best use of the fibre.

1. Choose dhal and bean curries often. They contain a particular type of fibre called soluble fibre which has been shown to reduce your blood cholesterol. These foods can also help to keep blood glucose (sugar) steady in diabetes. Try out one of the Masoor Dhal recipes – delicious!
2. Opt for wholegrain cereals or mix some in with your favourite cereal. Check labels so you choose those wholegrain breakfast cereals that contain less sugar.
3. Try different breads such as seeded, oat bread, rye bread, wholemeal and granary. Choose coarse wholemeal atta for chapattis, or if you don't like it, try a combination of wholemeal and white mixed together in your atta container.
4. Try unusual grains like bulgur and couscous. Bhajra (millet) roti is a good source of fibre. Try not to add butter or ghee on top so that you keep an eye on your saturated fat intake.
5. Get into the habit of asking yourself what you can do to your meal to increase its fibre content. Could you serve a side salad or extra vegetables? Why not throw a can of sweetcorn or some lentils into a meat curry, or a few sunflower seeds into cereals and salads? How about a piece of fruit after your meal?