Engr. Maria Cecilia Dela Paz, MBA • August 12, 2025

The Role Of Prepackaged Foods In Fiber Nutrition

The rising concern over Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)- including Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancers, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, and Diabetes—puts dietary fiber into the spotlight! 


What is Dietary Fiber?         

Dietary Fibers, whether soluble or insoluble, are complex, healthy carbohydrates made up of indigestible parts of plants, that pass through. They are like tubes that allow liquids to move through them due to capillary action. There are two main types of dietary fiber:


Soluble Fiber

  • Dissolves in water or gastro-intestinal fluids in the gut to form a gel-like substance.
  • Often “prebiotic,” feeding good bacteria for a healthy gut microbiome.
  • Helps reduce fat absorption, lower cholesterol, and stabilize blood sugar, which is key to preventing diabetes complications.

Insoluble fiber

  • Does not dissolve in water or digestive fluids.
  • Passes through the digestive tract virtually unchanged
  • Prevents constipation and lowers risk of diverticular diseases such as hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

Fiber’s role in health

Dietary fiber plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. It:

  • Regulates blood sugar and cholesterol.
  • Improves digestion.
  • Promotes satiety (feeling of fullness), aiding in obesity prevention.
  • Lowers risks of NCDs.


A 2019 Lancet review concluded that high fiber intake reduces risk of death and chronic diseases by 15-30%. Another study by Isabella Skye & Carolina Orfila found strong evidence linking fiber intake to obesity prevention and called for further research to guide nutrient-based dietary guidelines and industrial reformulations of high fiber products. 


The global and local fiber gap

Despite the clear need for dietary fiber as a nutrient, the current intake is often inadequate. In the Philippines for example, the PDRI recommended fiber intake for adults is 20-25 grams per day, but the current intake according to studies is only about 6-8 grams--30 to 40% of the recommended intake. It’s a similar story for countries like the U.S. and Canada where residents also fall short of the recommended levels—albeit a bit higher than Filipinos. 


Public initiatives to promote fiber intake

In response to the growing NCDs crisis, there are several public initiatives established that could promote fiber intake: 


Labeling policies

  • Mandatory nutrition facts labeling (including fiber)
  • Voluntary front-of-pack labeling (e.g. NutriScore, Health Star Rating, Keyhole)


Public campaigns

  1. “Focus on Fiber”, “Action on Fiber,” “Fruits & Veggies – More Matters”, “French Pulse & Whole Grain Campaign”, “5 A Day”.
  2. Local campaigns like Healthy Filipinas led by DOH and partner organizations, promoting high fiber local foods.


The Role of Prepackaged Goods

Prepackaged food can bridge the fiber gap in several ways:

  • Fiber fortification: Makes high-fiber foods more accessible, shelf-stable, affordable, and practical for working and urban populations
  • Product innovation: Fiber-enriched versions of staples like bread, pasta, canned goods, dairy, meat products, and beverages
  • Government Partnerships: Integrating prepackaged fiber-rich products in school nutrition and community feeding programs


In 2023, the total prepackaged food market in the Philippines reached nearly USD 17.5 billion, a 36.8% growth since 2019. With this scale and reach, prepackaged goods can serve as an effective delivery system for fiber nutrition—helping address obesity-related diseases and support national health goals. 

References:
Afshin, A., et al. (2019). Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017. The Lancet, 393(10184), 1958–1972. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30041-8 The Lancet
Reynolds, A., et al. (2019). Carbohydrate quality and human health: A series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet, 393(10184), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31809-9 The Lancet
Waddell, I. S., & Orfila, C. (2023). Dietary fiber in the prevention of obesity and obesity‐related chronic diseases: From epidemiological evidence to potential molecular mechanisms. Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition, 63(27), 8752–8774. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2061909 PubMed+8EBSCO OpenURL+8WJGNet+8
Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOSTFNRI). (2018). Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes 2015 (Summary tables). FNRIDOST. Retrieved from https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/ fda.gov.ph+7scirp.org+7facebook.com+7
Department of Health, Philippines. (2021). Karinderya Para sa Healthy Pilipinas Playbook. National Center for Health Promotion.
Department of Health, Philippines. (n.d.). Healthy Pilipinas campaign. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas/ business.inquirer.net+5facebook.com+5evident.ph+5

A taste of home before takeoff: Filipino comfort food at NAIA

October 6, 2026
For many Filipinos, the airport is more than just a place to catch a flight. It marks the start of long-awaited vacations, emotional homecomings or important business trips. In the middle of the rush, food can offer a welcome pause, providing travelers with a sense of familiarity before they head to their next destination. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), passengers can find familiar Filipino flavors through food concepts that bring together well-loved meals and favorite street food snacks.

Natutunan ko Bilang Nanay: Puwedeng Abot-Kaya at Healthy ang Pagkain

By Nanay Maricris • September 25, 2026
Dati, akala ko ay madali lang gawing healthy ang pagkain ng pamilya. Kumain ng mas maraming gulay at prutas. Bawasan ang matatamis at maalat. Siguraduhing nakakakain nang maayos ang mga anak. Simple lang, 'di ba? Pero iba pala kapag nanay ka na kailangang mag-plano ng lulutuin -- mamamalengke, mag-bubudget, maghahanda ng pagkain, at sisiguraduhing makakakain ang lahat. Kaya ang akala ko ay magkaiba ang masustansiyang pagkain at pagkaing madaling lutuin araw-araw .

Food-Informed Choices: Understanding Food Beyond the Label

September 17, 2026
With so much nutrition information available today, choosing what to eat can sometimes feel overwhelming. Food labels, health claims, social media posts, and nutrition advice can all influence the way we see and choose our food. The good news? Making better food choices does not require following complicated rules. It starts with understanding the information available and putting it into context. Being food-informed means looking beyond simple claims, asking thoughtful questions, and considering how each food fits into your overall eating pattern.

Beyond the classroom: What Filipino families taught me about making nutrition practical

By Maria Elizabeth Abarquez, RND • September 17, 2026
What happens when nutrition education moves beyond the classroom and into the everyday realities of Filipino families?

San Miguel Foods contributes to SMFB's solid first-quarter performance

July 1, 2026
San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc. (SMFB) held its Annual Stockholders' Meeting on June 3, 2026, at the SMC Head Office Complex Executive Dining Room, with stockholders able to participate both in person and via livestream. During the meeting, management presented the Group's full-year 2025 and first-quarter 2026 results and discussed key priorities for its three core businesses—San Miguel Foods, San Miguel Brewery, and Ginebra San Miguel. SMFB’s first-quarter net income rose 2% to P11.8 billion, supported by gains in its food and spirits businesses, stable beer performance, and disciplined cost management amid a more uncertain operating environment.

Gut Health and Sedentary Office Life: How Ready-to-Eat Meals and Simple Movement Can Support Everyday Wellness

July 1, 2026
Supporting Better Digestion in a Desk-Bound Work Environment

Food Reformulation and Sodium Reduction: A Food Scientist’s Perspective

July 1, 2026
By Mario V. Capanzana, PhD, RChE, PFT Executive Director, Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. (PCFMI)

San Miguel Foods Participates in DTI Tatak Pinoy 2026

June 5, 2026
San Miguel Foods (SMF) joined the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Tatak Pinoy event held from May 25 to 27, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City — a three-day showcase celebrating the strength, diversity, and global competitiveness of Philippine industries. The event brought together key sectors of the Philippine economy, including Information Technology and Business Process Management, Food and Agro-Processing, Semiconductors, Pharmaceuticals, and Defense Manufacturing, among others. More than an exhibit, Tatak Pinoy served as a platform for industry linkages, investment promotion, and the advancement of locally manufactured products in both domestic and international markets.

Nutrition for Everyday People vs. Athletes: What You Really Need to Eat

April 15, 2026
Food is fuel—but not all diets are the same. A person going about daily life has very different nutrition needs than an athlete training hard every day. Understanding these differences can help you eat smarter, stay healthy, and perform your best.

Intelligent Diet and Personalized Nutrition: Eating Smarter for Better Health

April 15, 2026
What Is an Intelligent Diet? An intelligent diet is a practical expression of personalized nutrition. It provides the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time, for the right person. Instead of labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” it focuses on how foods fit into an individual’s lifestyle and health goals.
More Posts