Most health advice focuses on what we shouldn't eat, with numerous campaigns telling us to cut down on fatty, salty or sugary foods.

What we often forget though, is that there are some types of food that we should try to increase in order to keep us healthy, and dietary fibre definitely falls into this category.

Dietary fibre is widely recognised for its role in reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer, as well being beneficial for our digestive system.

Recommended daily amounts vary depending on which source you look at, but according to the charity Heart Research UK, health professionals recommend that we eat 20-35 grams of dietary fibre every day.

Unfortunately, as lots of us regularly turn to processed and refined foods for convenience, many people are simply not getting enough fibre in their diets.

Fibre, which is also known as roughage, is made up of the edible parts of plants that are not digested and broken down by our bodies.

There are two types soluble and insoluble, both of which are an impotant part of a healthy diet.

Soluble fibre which can be found in things like fruit, oats, barley and dried peas, beans and lentils help trap fatty acids in the intestines.

This prevents them from being absorbed by the body, and is thought to reduce blood cholesterol levels and contribute to a healthier heart.

Insoluble fibre can be found in brown rice, wholemeal bread, jacket potatoes and wholegrain cereals. Eating insoluble fibre helps you to feel full and satisfied without consuming too many calories, making it perfect for anyone who is watching their weight. It also helps with normal bowel function and prevents constipation.

By making sure that you eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, as well as increasing your intake of wholegrain foods, it is easy to increase the amount of fibre in your diet.

If you tend to eat a lot of processed foods, increasing dietary fibre should also have the knock-on effect of creating a more balanced diet, making you feel fitter and healthier in the process.