roughage
noun
rough·age ˈrə-fij 
: mostly indigestible material in food (such as legumes, whole grains, and vegetables) that promotes elimination of waste from the large intestine : fiber sense 1d
Knowing where to get dietary fiber is important because strong evidence now links roughage to good health, weight management and a reduced risk of colon cancer and other major diseases.
Elizabeth Somer
Elizabeth Somer also : food containing much indigestible material acting as fiber
That's okay, though: Junk food has a place in a moviegoing diet, as long as you make room for roughage elsewhere. Ty Burr
Ty Burr 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web And that’s not all: Because the grain-fed animals eat less roughage, their microbes also produce less methane each day. Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022 Adding too many fiber-heavy chia to your diet at once can potentially set you up for uncomfortable symptoms like gas, bloating, or cramping—especially if you're not used to getting that amount of roughage, per the Mayo Clinic. Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 30 Apr. 2022 What if the very same roughage that sustains the sheep also helps the goats? Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2022 Years ago, doctors worried that small bits of roughage in a person's diet could block and irritate the little sacs that can form along the wall of the colon, leading to diverticulitis. Karen Pallarito, Health.com, 4 Nov. 2021 Their four chamber stomachs, which categorize them as a ruminant, like cattle, enable them to digest the roughage. Camille Sauers, Chron, 30 Sep. 2021 Meanwhile, an attentive server delivers beaucoup orders of beers and vodka and tequila and lemon drops (that’s TT’s drink) and poke bowls and burgers and even a little roughage. New York Times, 23 Sep. 2021 Eating a high-fiber diet is also tied to lower colon cancer rates, and soy foods like edamame and tempeh both have plenty of roughage. Marygrace Taylor, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2021 Eating a high-fiber diet is also tied to lower colon cancer rates, and soy foods like edamame and tempeh both have plenty of roughage. Marygrace Taylor, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2021 See More
Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022 Adding too many fiber-heavy chia to your diet at once can potentially set you up for uncomfortable symptoms like gas, bloating, or cramping—especially if you're not used to getting that amount of roughage, per the Mayo Clinic. Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 30 Apr. 2022 What if the very same roughage that sustains the sheep also helps the goats? Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2022 Years ago, doctors worried that small bits of roughage in a person's diet could block and irritate the little sacs that can form along the wall of the colon, leading to diverticulitis. Karen Pallarito, Health.com, 4 Nov. 2021 Their four chamber stomachs, which categorize them as a ruminant, like cattle, enable them to digest the roughage. Camille Sauers, Chron, 30 Sep. 2021 Meanwhile, an attentive server delivers beaucoup orders of beers and vodka and tequila and lemon drops (that’s TT’s drink) and poke bowls and burgers and even a little roughage. New York Times, 23 Sep. 2021 Eating a high-fiber diet is also tied to lower colon cancer rates, and soy foods like edamame and tempeh both have plenty of roughage. Marygrace Taylor, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2021 Eating a high-fiber diet is also tied to lower colon cancer rates, and soy foods like edamame and tempeh both have plenty of roughage. Marygrace Taylor, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1911, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
roughage
noun
rough·age ˈrə-fij
1
: fiber sense 2
2
: food (as bran) containing much indigestible material acting as fiber
Medical Definition
roughage
noun
rough·age ˈrəf-ij
: fiber sense 2
also : food (as bran) containing much indigestible material acting as fiber