First came smellmaxxing. And then sleepmaxxing. Don’t forget flavormaxxing. Now there is a newcomer to the scene. Fibermaxxing.
In the latest example of social media users fixating on something — only to have some take it to an extreme — proponents of the fibermaxxing trend are loading up their meals with soaked chia seeds and cruciferous vegetables in an effort to increase their fiber intake, and often to also lose weight.
“Fiber is super cool — I think more people should be eating fiber,” said Pamela Corral, a 25-year-old wellness content creator who said she tried to eat more than the recommended daily amount of fiber, which is approximately 25 grams for women in the United States.
Ms. Corral’s TikToks, which often extoll the virtues of the nutrient in text laid over footage of her morning chia seed puddings, have found a huge audience. A recent video garnered more than 10 million views.
Ms. Corral said inspiration for her videos tended to strike when she was eating things, like her fiber-rich pudding. “I try to eat it often,” she said, “so I can make videos.”
Elsewhere, fibermaxxing proponents are talking up the health benefits of a fiber-rich diet, citing common foods you most likely already have in your house that are packed with fiber and talking about how it’s the rare food trend that is about what you should add to your diet, rather than what to cut out of it.
Fibermaxxing is, essentially, a catchy Gen Z-style label for a niche trend, and the origins of the term remain unclear. (Ms. Corral said she first heard the term on X, where she follows other wellness creators.) But it ties into a broader movement of social media users who routinely call for increased fiber consumption. That message has been driven by a coalition of health-conscious content creators, dietitians with online followings and people pushing their own gut health products.
As with many other trends, too much of a good thing has the potential to be a problem, with experts cautioning against going overboard. But most participants, at this point, are simply adding more fiber to their meals with intention, giving the fibermaxxing trend a rare accolade among internet fads: a seal of approval from nutrition experts.
“This is a fun trend to see happening,” said Emily Haller, a registered dietitian. Most people do not eat enough fiber, which is good for your gut, heart and brain, she said.
“A lot of times we see people obsessing about things that really don’t move the needle in terms of health,” Ms. Haller said, “whereas eating more plants and ingesting more fiber is going to have a positive health benefit.”
Fiber-rich diets are linked to numerous health benefits, including healthier guts and longer lives. And it’s a very satiating nutrient, meaning it can help you feel fuller longer, which can help with weight loss, said Kate Mintz, a registered dietitian at U.C.L.A. Health.
Of course, loading up on fiber all at once, especially when you have not been including it in your meals, may leave you with bloating and discomfort, several nutrition experts said.
“Many people don’t get enough fiber, but it’s just important to be thoughtful about how you’re doing it so that it’s not too much too fast,” Ms. Mintz said.
Nicole Stock reports on internet culture and other lifestyle news for the Style section of The Times.
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