TikTok user “impamibaby” is promoting “#fibermaxxing,” a practice of eating meals that help people meet or exceed their daily fiber intake recommendations for improving gut health, losing weight, and more. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults consume 22 to 34 grams of fiber daily, but more than 90% of women and 97% of men in the United States don’t meet these recommendations. Registered dietitian Lauren Manaker believes that fibermaxxing might be the trend we didn’t know we needed, especially as rates of colon cancer have been rising among people aged 20 to 54.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and absorbs it to form a gel-like substance, while insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water and helps people have more frequent and heavier bowel movements. A balance of both is key for overall health, as too much of one type and not enough of the other may cause digestive issues like bloating or constipation. Most fibrous foods contain both types, with foods richer in soluble fiber including apples, bananas, citrus fruits, barley, carrots, oats, beans, and psyllium. Those with mostly insoluble fiber include vegetables such as green beans, cauliflower, potatoes, whole-wheat flour or wheat bran, nuts, and beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n