It's essential to get enough protein in your diet, but not in the way social media is hyping it up. The problem with focusing on one nutrient is that you may be avoiding another crucial part of your diet: fiber. According to a 2017 article on outcomes from a Food and Fiber Summit, an estimated 95% of US adults and children aren't getting enough of the carbohydrate.
"Even though fibermaxxing is a hot nutrition trend right now, its basis is ensuring that people eat more fiber," Eliza Whitaker, founder and registered dietitian at Nourished Nutrition and Fitness, tells me. "The standard American diet lacks in fiber content."
Thanks to this trend, meal delivery services are now offering plans designed to help customers increase their fiber intake. Purple Carrot, CNET's favorite high-protein vegan meal delivery service, recently added a high-fiber plan to its roster.
Now, the question is: Should you try fibermaxxing? This is what the experts have to say.
What is fibermaxxing?
The social media trend called fibermaxxing encourages people to increase their daily fiber intake by consuming good sources of fiber, such as flaxseeds, beans, nuts and fruit. "The goal is to improve digestive health, promote a feeling of fullness and aid in weight loss," explains Jessica McAllister, owner and lead dietitian at Dietitian Approved Nutrition, LLC.
It's important to stay within the recommended daily intake for fiber, but as we mentioned, about 95% of US adults and kids don't eat enough of it. "The recommended daily intake of fiber is between 25 and 38 grams per day for adults, depending on sex and age," says Whitaker.
Getting enough fiber matters: According to the Cancer Research Institute, colorectal cancer rates are significantly rising among young adults. CRC is the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. One factor that can increase your risk of CRC is a diet that's high in processed foods and red meat, but low in fiber, vegetables and fruits.
Is fibermaxxing safe for everyone?
For the average healthy person, registered dietitian Maya Feller, founder of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, says it's best to gradually work up to the recommended daily fiber intake. But going above that amount can cause gastrointestinal side effects, she explains. "For those with certain bowel diseases, it's not a great idea," she says. This can include those with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and diverticulitis.
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