The present invention is a nutrient delivery system including an extruded
fiber source. Extruding fibers causes many changes to the structure and
function of the fiber. Many of these changes make it possible to include
higher levels of the extruded fiber source in food products,
substantially without a concomitant adverse effect on the functional or
organoleptic properties of the food product, as compared to using
unextruded fiber sources. Some of the changes that occur during the
extrusion of a fiber source may affect its affinity for water in the food
product. The nutrient delivery system of the present invention can be
used to prepare food products that meet US FDA and other regulatory
guidelines for food nutrition labeling.