Daily dietary fibre intake of children, 2 to 3 years of age, living in Antwerp, Belgium

Daily dietary fibre intake of toddlers living in Antwerp (Belgium) have been calculated by weighted food records with subsequent conversion using computerised food composition tables. Dietary fibre intakes were also measured by the duplicate portion technique to evaluate the intakes of total, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. Calculated dietary fibre intake was 10 ± 3 g/d. Measured intakes of total, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre were 14.5 ± 2.8 g/d, 6.0 ± 1.9 g/d, and 8.6 ± 1.6 g/d. Values about the fibre intakes between both methods differed for 31.7%. Bread contributed for more than one third of the total dietary fibre intake. The contributions of the other food groups were 15.1% for fruits, 14.5% for starchy foods and 13.9% for vegetables. The intakes of dietary fibre from bread by the toddlers in this study could be considered as high, whilst intakes from fruits and vegetables might be increased.