New products from Metamucil

The average person needs 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day, but most of us get much less than that. In addition, many people suffer from constipation problems, and fiber helps with that, too. You’ve probably seen those tall orange cans of Metamucil in the store near the pharmacy, and figured it is just a laxative. But you can also use Metamucil as a fiber supplement.

To help promote the fiber-boosting properties of Metamucil products, I was sent a canister of Metamucil Berry Burst! flavor fiber laxative and fiber supplement, and also a canister of Fiber-Sure Clear-Mixing fiber supplement, which is made by Metamucil. I have recently started a low calorie, high fiber diet, so I was curious to see how these two products would taste.

First, the good news. Fiber-Sure clear-mixing fiber supplement has NO TASTE at all. The powder is white, and very, I want to say, soft. I poured it into my cup of coffee which I had flavored with fat free vanilla creamer and Splenda. There was absolutely no change in the texture or taste of my coffee at all, and no residue at the bottom of the cup. I just turned my morning coffee into a high fiber drink! Woo hoo! I also tried it in a glass of water and honest-to-god, it was like water-flavored Kool Aid powder. Disappeared completely and did not change the flavor of the water at all. TWO THUMBS UP for Fiber-Sure clear-mixing fiber supplement!

INGREDIENTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFO FOR FIBER-SURE:
A serving is one heaping teaspoon (not a silverware spoon but a measuring spoon), and it as 25 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, and zero grams of sugar.It is made from Inulin, a natural vegetable fiber.

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But now, the bad news. Metamucil Berry Burst! was just about the grossest thing I have ever had to drink. It’s made from Psyllium husk, which I had to Google. It’s a flowering plant which produces seeds, and the outer shell of the seed is the husk. So basically it is powdered seed shells, like the outside of a sunflower seed. Psyllium is not absorbed by the body, so when you consume it, it absorbs excess water and helps you have a normal bowel movement. Isn’t that nice? LOL

I was really thinking it would dissolve like the Fiber-Sure did, but taste like Kool Aid. I was WRONG. I filled the glass with 8 ounces of cold water and poured in the teaspoon of Metamucil, and it immediately stuck to the side of the glass. I kept stirring, and stirring, but it wouldn’t come off the side of the glass, and it wouldn’t dissolve in the water. The water looked gritty, with the powder swirling around in it. I took a sip and knew I would NEVER be able to drink a whole glass. It tasted gelatinous, goopy, BAD. And even with all the sweeteners listed in the ingredients, it wasn’t even that sweet or that berry-flavored. Yuck. TWO THUMBS DOWN for Metamucil Berry Burst! Fiber Laxative/Fiber Supplement.

INGREDIENTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFO FOR METAMUCIL BERRY BURST!
One rounded teaspoon of Metamucil has 20 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 0 grams sugar. In addition to the psyllium, it also contains Maltodextrin (a sweetener with no calories), Artificial Flavor, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Acesulfame Potassium (sweetener), Aspartame (sweetener), FD&C Red No.40, FD&C Blue No.1.