Fiber may be having a cultural moment, but most Americans still aren’t getting enough of it—or fully understanding where it comes from. A new IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Fiber & Whole Grains finds that two-thirds of Americans say they either fall short on fiber or don’t know how much they consume, even as “fibermaxxing” trends across TikTok and Instagram, and experts forecast fiber as the “new protein.”
The findings come just weeks after the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 (DGA) which notably feature fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in a different position in the New Food Pyramid, yet stop short of offering explicit daily fiber targets for consumers.
“Fiber is suddenly everywhere in the wellness conversation—yet our data show most Americans still don’t know how much they need or where to get it,” IFIC president & CEO Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, said in a statement. “There’s a real disconnect between cultural hype and everyday understanding and action.”
According to the survey, nearly three in 10 Americans (29%) report consuming less than 20g of fiber per day—well below recommended levels—while 37% don’t know their intake at all. In reality, fewer than 10% of women and just 3% of men meet fiber recommendations, and more than 95% of US adults fall short on whole grains.
Yet interest is not the problem. Zero percent of respondents said they don’t want or need more fiber, signaling broad motivation—but limited clarity.
“As someone who regularly analyzes consumer data, that zero percent really stands out,” Kris Sollid, RD, IFIC senior director of research & consumer insights, said in a statement. “It suggests that Americans realize the importance of fiber in the diet and believe they would likely benefit from consuming more, which is encouraging.”
While many Americans correctly associate fiber with fruits, vegetables, and grains, however there are signals that Americans could use a refresher on fiber—nearly one in four (24%) selected meat/seafood as a best source of fiber and 19% say the same about dairy. Neither source inherently contains dietary fiber.
Knowledge of fiber sources is just one hurdle to increase intake. The survey illuminates other barriers, including:
· Not knowing which foods contain fiber (30%)
· Cost (27%)
· Taste (26%)
· Inconvenience (17%)
“It’s clear people want to eat healthier, but we’re in a moment where the rhetoric can be confusing. Fiber is praised while carbohydrates are often demonized, but people don’t realize that many carbohydrate-rich foods are good sources of fiber. Oats/oatmeal, bran cereal, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain breads are good sources of dietary fiber, and legumes such as lentils and black beans are also excellent sources. Ultimately, eating a varied diet that includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain based cereals and breads is a satisfying and nutrient-dense way to achieve your daily fiber goals,” Amburn said.
“This is where healthcare professionals, including registered dietitians, play a critical role in helping connect those dots and translating muddled guidance into practical, realistic choices,” Amburn added.
Despite years of low-carb narratives, Americans are twice as likely to say carbohydrate-rich foods can be part of a healthy diet than to say they cannot. Still, confusion remains: one in three are unsure which foods even count as carbohydrate-rich.
While 70% view whole grains as healthy, fewer than half feel the same about refined carbohydrates.
“The conversation around carbs, fiber, and whole grains has become overly polarized,” said Amburn. “What’s missing is nuance—and trusted voices to help people make sense of it.”
The survey also shows Americans rely more on front-of-package claims like “100% Whole Grain” or “Good Source of Fiber” than on the Nutrition Facts label itself—suggesting that messages with meaning, not just metrics, shape behavior.
As fiber takes center stage in wellness culture and as dietary guidance evolves, IFIC’s findings point to a growing need for healthcare professionals, registered dietitians, and science communicators to step in.
“Fiber doesn’t need to be a trend—it can become a habit,” said Reinhardt Kapsak. “The communications landscape is ripe for clear, consistent, and actionable guidance Americans can use to improve their health and wellbeing every day.”