If you’re a DUDE trying to get your diet in check, chances are you’re focused on avoiding crap like refined sugar, XL pizzas, and excess booze. But it’s not just about what you subtract from your meals. It’s also about what you add—and fiber easily ranks among the most important.
Fiber gets a bad rap for fueling ridiculously stanky farts, and unfortunately that’s outweighed its potential to prevent heart attacks, strokes, high cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.
Despite fiber being a literal life-saver, only 5% of guys get the recommended 38 grams of fiber per day (the average DUDE racks up a measly 16 grams per day). Doctors call this the “Fiber Gap,” and Metamucil is on a mission to close it with a two-week challenge.
So, can ramping up your fiber intake for two weeks really rescue you from constipation and get your gut health in check? Keep reading to find out.
What Is the Metamucil Challenge?
The Metamucil Two-Week Challenge is a program to get you into the habit of taking fiber supplements every day for two weeks. You can either take Metamucil powders or capsules, both of which contain psyllium husk powder, which packs 5 grams of soluble fiber per serving. Either way, the goal is to hit your daily fiber intake for 14 days in a row.
So, what’s so special about the two-week timeframe?
The good folks at Metamucil explain that your gut needs time to adjust to the increased fiber intake, as you would with any dietary change. They also claim it takes about two weeks to feel the effects of fiber kick in, namely a more regular pooping schedule, more energy, and less bloating.
It appears the Metamucil Challenge started in April 2018 to “help you along your digestive health journey.” But It’s basically a campaign to convince people that fiber supplements aren’t just for old geezers.
That’s not a bad thing by any means. In fact, we stand in solidarity with Metamucil on their mission to help DUDES (and chicks) crush their daily fiber goals.
4 (Potential) Benefits of the Metamucil Two Week Challenge
If you’re among the 95% of DUDEs with a fiber deficiency, the Metamucil Challenge can deliver some legit benefits for your gut, butt, and brain. Here’s what (might) happen if you embark on this fiber frenzy.
1. Constipation Relief
Metamucil is made with psyllium husk, a plant-based fiber that has a laxative effect. By drawing water into your colon, it should trigger a dump in 12-72 hours.
2. Weight Loss
Metamucil (or any fiber supplement for that matter) doesn’t directly help you lose weight. However, studies have found that Metamucil helps reduce appetite and make you feel more full. By curbing those cravings for your guilty pleasures, all that fiber acts as defense against weight gain.
3. More Energy
If you’re a frequent victim of the 3 p.m. slump, upping your fiber intake might be a better solution than chugging another coffee.
Research from the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found that fiber helps reduce blood sugar spikes that are usually followed by an energy crash.
Translation: Although fiber doesn't give you a jolt of energy like a Red Bull, it keeps your energy levels stable throughout the day.
4. Less Bloating
A big culprit of bloating is constipation. The longer your poop stays in your colon, the more time bacteria have to ferment in there, causing excess gas. Metamucil should help you poop. But it can also absorb and trap gas in your gut, helping to un-bloat you.
How Does the Metamucil Challenge Affect Your Poop?
Past participants report that the Metamucil Challenge has worked wonders for their dumps. We’re talkin’ long, smooth, brown sausages that barely leave any residue on your butthole. If you’re constantly battling dry pebble poops or the Hershey squirts, adding Metamucil into the mix can change your bowel movements for the better.
“Take one tablespoon of Metamucil a day and your wiping will range from minimal to not needed,” says one DUDE on r/lifehacks. “Only taking one dose a day vs the recommended (up to 3x a day) doesn't force you to go to the bathroom but does make EVERYTHING about the experience WAY better, less wiping, less straining, less time, less smell, and no strong urges.”
As expected, Metamucil’s website has plenty of positive testimonials about how much better their pooping routine became after the two week challenge.
“I’ve been taking Metamucil for about three weeks now…My poop is nice and soft, it comes out easy,” says Michael from New Jersey.
Another dude named Allen from New York added, “Got to admit, it works…It eases that bloated belly feeling and keeps things moving.”
Fiber Isn’t a Fad, DUDE
Tempting as it might be, you gotta make sure you don’t fall off the fiber bandwagon. Whether you’re popping Metamucil capsules or ramping up your intake of fruits and veggies, try your best to hit 38 grams per day. You’ll be doing your gut and butt a huge favor.
Speaking of doing favors for your butt, make sure you’re stocked up on DUDE Wipes for when those fiber-fueled dumps kick in. The only thing more tragic than failing to meet your fiber goals is wiping with dry sandpaper.
