fiber-101

When you think about how long it takes to improve your health, two weeks doesn’t seem like a huge amount of time. But for award-winning television host and Metamucil spokesperson Sheryl Underwood, 14 days is all she needs to see a difference in her digestion. She [credits Metamucil’s Two-Week Challenge.](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/two-week-challenge)

The challenge is pretty straightforward: Every day for two weeks, she takes Metamucil Powder, which is made with plant-based psyllium fiber. While the challenge sounds simple, the results can be surprising. Keep reading to find out why Sheryl can’t recommend this challenge enough.


Sheryl Underwood On How Two Weeks Can Completely Change Your Digestive Health
Why she can’t get enough of Metamucil’s Two-Week Challenge.

Sheryl 

Sheryl Underwood On What Changed Her Digestive Health

Feeling sluggish or weighed down? It could be a sign that your digestive system isn’t at its best. Fiber helps keep your gut healthy, but less than 10% of Americans get the recommended 25 to 30 grams in their daily diet. Consuming fiber-rich foods and taking a daily supplement like [Metamucil](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us) can help you close your fiber gap.

To jumpstart your digestive health journey, __[sign up](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/two-week-challenge) for Metamucil’s Two-Week Challenge__ and pick up [a psyllium fiber supplement](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/products). Then, check out the helpful tips and resources below to stay on track with your goals during the challenge—and beyond!


Up your fiber intake with Metamucil’s Two Week Challenge and feel lighter and more energetic.

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Up Your Fiber Intake With Metamucil’s Two-Week Challenge

Fiber 101

If you’re working on managing your weight, you’re probably trying to eat more low-calorie foods in your diet. Calories are a measurement for the energy in food, and your body has a constant demand for energy. Here are some great energy foods to add to your diet to get more of the natural energy you need.

Need energy? Follow these tips on how to get more of the natural energy you need by adding these 4 energy boosting foods to your diet.


4 Energy Boosting Foods You Should Be Eating

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4 Energy Boosting Foods You Should Be Eating 

When you hear the words ‘dietary fiber’ you might think of dense, flavorless foods, or the kinds of foods you *have* to eat, not the ones you want to eat. But you might be surprised to know that some of your favorite, flavorful [foods are high in fiber.](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/articles/fiber-101/high-fiber-foods "foods are high in fiber.") It’s the fiber in those foods that gives them some of their deliciously satisfying qualities. 

So, what is fiber, exactly? __Dietary fiber is a non-digestible part of plant foods.__ And while you can’t digest fiber, it provides an abundance of culinary and health benefits that make it an indispensable [part of a healthy lifestyle.](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/articles/fiber-supplements/benefits-of-fiber-supplements "part of a healthy lifestyle.") Find out how to get more fiber in your diet, so you can reach the daily recommended amount.

Fiber is essential to your body—but do you get your 28g in every day? Find out how to get more fiber in your diet, with 15 easy tips like taking Metamucil.

How to Get More Fiber in Your Everyday Diet

Fiber plays a role to help your gut move and remove the waste in your [digestive system](/en-us/articles/constipation/how-often-should-you-poop). You can get good sources of fiber from the foods you already eat, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, as well as supplements. Fiber doesn’t just work to keep you regular – there are some fibers, like psyllium, that can give you additional important health benefits. 

Keep reading to learn information about high fiber foods, [fiber supplements](/en-us/products), [types of fiber](/en-us/articles/fiber-101/which-dietary-fiber-supplement-is-best-for-me-and-my-diet), and daily recommended fiber intake. 

Do you know if you eat enough fiber every day? Most Americans don’t. Find out how much fiber you need and 30 good sources of fiber to add to your diet.

High Fiber Foods

High-Fiber Foods to Up Your Daily Fiber Intake

There are two types of dietary fiber that many are familiar with—soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is conveniently named for its ability to dissolve in water. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. Not all types of dietary fiber are created equally. When considering dietary fiber, it’s important to understand how each works in the body to get the health benefits you want out of your fiber intake.

Even further, there are different types and amounts of soluble fiber found in many plant-based foods, each with different health benefits. Some soluble fibers form a thick gel when they absorb water, while others do not have any impact when mixed with water.1 Plus, the good bacteria in your digestive tract can digest some forms of soluble fiber. These characteristics give soluble fiber several important health benefits. 

So how does one get soluble [fiber into their diet](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/articles/fiber-101/high-fiber-foods), you ask? Soluble fiber is in some foods and __dietary fiber supplements like [Metamucil’s psyllium fiber supplements](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/products/fiber-powders)__. Keep reading to find out how you can get more soluble fiber into your diet.


Not all fiber is the same. Some soluble fibers, like the psyllium in Metamucil, offer health benefits. Learn about soluble fiber and where to find it.  

What is Soluble Fiber and Where Can I Find It?

Decades-long research has shown that high-fiber diets offer a multitude of health benefits. Although fiber or roughage is best known for promoting regularity and digestive health, it provides many other health benefits, such as maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and [supporting heart health](https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/articles/psyllium-fiber/how-the-psyllium-fiber-in-metamucil-can-help-lower-cholesterol "supporting heart health"), depending on the type of fiber you eat. But how much fiber do you need per day for optimum health? 

Keep reading to discover the daily recommended fiber intake, how to know if you are getting enough fiber each day, and ways to get more fiber in your diet. 

Fiber does so much good for your body and digestive system. Learn about how to increase your fiber intake with food and Metamucil fiber supplements.

How Much Fiber Do You Need

How Much Fiber Per Day Should You Eat?

90 percent of Americans don’t get enough fiber in their diet<sup>1</sup>. Getting enough dietary fiber is important to maintain your digestive wellness, but it can be difficult to eat the daily recommended amount of high-quality, [fiber-rich foods](/en-us/articles/fiber-101/high-fiber-foods). On average, it takes about 11 granny smith apples, 14 large carrots, 14 bananas or 15 cups of broccoli to reach the recommended amount of fiber Americans from 18 to 50 years old should consume each day. 

[Dietary fiber supplements](/en-us/products) are a fast and easy way to increase fiber without significantly increasing calories, carbs, or sugar. So, if you feel that you’re not getting enough fiber in your diet, read on to learn why you should be taking fiber supplements, and which supplement you should be taking. 

Dietary fiber supplements are fast & easy way to increase fiber without significantly increasing calories, carbs or sugar. Learn which you should be taking.

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Which Dietary Fiber Supplement Is Best for Me and My Diet?

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Digestive Wellness

Learn about Metamucil Fiber through our library of helpful tips & articles including FAQs, product information, how Metamucil works, and more!

About Metamucil Fiber | Metamucil® 

Find information about fibre including the benefits of incorporating fibre into your diet, and information about fibre supplements.