How Much is Too Much Fiber?

How much fiber do you need? 

The national fiber recommendations are 30 to 38 grams a day for men and 25 grams a day for women between 18 and 50 years old, and 21 grams a day if a woman is 51 and older. Another general guideline is to get 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories in your diet. Achieving these goals is beneficial to your overall health, and fiber helps you feel fuller longer.

For many people, it can be a challenge to get that much fiber in a typical diet. Most people top out at an average of 15 grams per day, regardless of how many calories they eat. But if you’re going overboard with a high-fiber diet plan, you could be putting yourself at risk for problems like stomach cramps, constipation, and even nutritional deficiency.

If you're concerned that you are not getting enough fiber, I reccomend incorporating a fiber supplement into your daily routine. 1-2 scoops of a fiber supplement like Metamucil is a great way to get the daily fiber you need! 

When taking this supplement you won't need to worry about how much fiber you're getting from other foods. If you choose a fiber therapy like this one, I would start at half the recommended dosage for the first few days until your digestive tract can adjust.