Fibre

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I get really confusedin trying to count my calories a day.  I try to stick to 1,300-1,500 daily.  For breakfast I will usually have branflakes.  I know they are supposed to be healthy for you so I just wanted to know the calorie content of them as the internet is very unclear in terms of serving sizes.  So, for my breakfast I will have 3-4 Handfuls (I have small hands) of Branflakes topped with 4-5 strawberries and a handful of blueberries with semi skimmed milk.  Could you please tell me roughly the calorie content of my breakfast? also, i tend to have such an ammount so that I do not get hungry until lunch or I only snack on 1 piece of fruit between breakfast and Lunch.  thank you.

ANSWER: Hi,
It's great you are having a healthy, and high fiber, breakfast that is tiding you over easily until lunch time.
You need to look at the cereal box on the side for the label that will have calorie information; each brand is different.  It will say "3/4 cup has 110 calories", for example and then you will need to measure out 3/4 of a cup in dry measuring cups; put this in the bowl you usually use and see if it looks like the amount you generall eat, a little more or a little less!
A cup of berries has about 60 calories, so again, throw your three handfuls into a measuring cup and find out the amount you've been eating.  For the milk calories you will again have to measure out 1/2 cup, pour it on the cereal, and proceed from there to see how much you usually put on the cereal.
I would estimate you are having about 200-250 calories for breakfast, which is quite reasonable, especially since it's tiding you over--I certainly wouldn't try eating any fewer calories than that!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello,

I just wanted to ask is it unhealthy to eat too much fibre? I have been looking online and there is somedebate to this, but I am unsure if I am eating too much. I have branflakes for breakfast.  I eat a lot of fruit during the day and quite alot of vegetables. If I eat bread, it will always be wholemeal.  I also only eat brown, pasta, rice or couscous. I dont really eat potatoes, but prefer to have sweet potatoes baked in the oven which I will eat with the skin on. So basically, I try to stay away from 'white' carbs. but am I eating too much fibre?
Thanks

Answer
Hi,
I wouldn't worry about eating too much fiber; there are many diet which are much higher than yours with more servings of fruits, vegetables, and other very high fiber foods.
About the only danger is getting "clogged up"  and you will realize when that happens!  If you have things like bran flakes or fibre one or brands that are giving you more than 10 grams perserving, be sure to drink enough water!

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