Consumption of carbohydrates and dietary fiber protects against obesity (Slavin, 2005). Examining the relationship between dietary fiber intake and body weight, however, is difficult due to the struggle to define dietary fiber and agree on recommended intake levels.
In 2002, the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) published definitions for fiber (DRIs, 2002). Dietary fiber consists of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Functional fiber describes the isola…