People often get confused about whether taking Metamucil, a popular brand of psyllium husk-based fiber supplement, can mess up and break their fast.
It’s true that Metamucil can make fasting a lot easier, but it’s important to be careful about what you consume when you’re fasting.
Let me help you learn more about how Metamucil might affect your fast, and what you should consider when deciding whether or not to take it during your fast.
The first thing we need to figure out is whether Metamucil has any calories because anything with calories would definitely break a fast, right?
Does Metamucil Have Calories?
Yes, Metamucil can provide calories to some extent, the number of calories it will provide will depend on the form and flavor you use.
I already discussed in another article I wrote about fiber and fasting, that fiber, specifically soluble fiber, can produce calories that could potentially break a fast.
And since Metamucil is a fiber, the same can be said about it.
For each gram of soluble fiber, you are likely to get 2 calories.
Let’s figure out how many calories you can get from Metamucil.
But before that, you need to know that Metamucil comes in different forms, and each form will have a slightly different amount of fiber and therefore calories.
Metamucil powder formulations usually have 2.4 grams of soluble fiber per serving, so from the soluble fiber alone you will get 4.8 calories.
Capsules usually deliver 1.8 grams of soluble fiber per serving, which makes it 3.6 calories per serving.
Metamucil capsules plus calcium deliver 2.1 grams of soluble fiber per serving, which will be 4.2 calories per serving.
To find out how many calories a specific form of Metamucil supplement will provide, read the product label and multiply the soluble fiber in it by 2.
Does Metamucil Break A Fast?
Yes, drinking Metamucil can break a fast because the soluble fiber it contains is broken down by bacteria in the colon to form short-chain fatty acids that can be used for energy by your body.
So, if you’re doing clean fasts, it’s worth knowing that depending on how much you take, Metamucil can provide a bit of energy.
Some Metamucil products may have sweeteners and other additives that can also mess with your fast, so make sure you read the labels.
Even the sugar-free Metamucil products can break your fast because while they are “sugar-free”, they are not soluble fiber free.
Sure, 2 calories per gram don’t sound like a lot, but fasting isn’t just about zero calories.
Giving your gut a break will add to the benefits you get from fasting.
Regardless, whether Metamucil breaks your fast or not might depend on what you’re trying to achieve and your fasting protocols.
For example, if you are doing water fasting, you are only allowed to drink water, drinking Metamucil on such a fasting protocol will break your fast.
But, when you are doing dirty fasting, these few calories from Metamucil will be theoretically inconsequential to your fast.
Benefits Of Metamucil When Fasting.
If you’re looking to enhance your fasting experience, you can consider taking Metamucil during your eating windows or cheat days.
Not only can it help you achieve your weight loss goals by keeping you full, but it can also slow down nutrient degradation and absorption.
Metamucil can also abate hunger pangs, which are often the culprit behind premature fasting breaks and binges after the fasting period.
Also, Metamucil feeds the good bacteria in your colon, promoting a healthy gut, these bacteria play a vital role in supplying nutrients, synthesizing vitamin K, and digesting cellulose.
Lastly, Metamucil is a source of electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, which can be crucial during fasting.
With all these benefits, Metamucil can be an excellent supplement to your fasting routine.
Will Metamucil Break A Fast – Summary.
As discussed, Metamucil can be a valuable supplement when fasting, as it offers numerous benefits such as promoting weight loss, preventing hunger pangs, improving constipation and regularity, feeding your gut microbiome, and providing electrolytes.
Yet, the answer to whether it can break a fast is not entirely straightforward, as it depends on your definition of a fast.
While Metamucil does contain some calories, it is to a lesser extent per serving.
If your fasting protocol allows you to take in a few calories, Metamucil is a good consideration.
