10 Best Fiber Supplements Tested & Compared
Although you can get a lot of fiber from some foods, it’s hard for most people to get their daily allotment this way—which means we need to supplement. If you don’t already use a fiber supplement, then you need to check out our top picks below.
A lot of fruits, grains, and vegetables have a lot of fiber, but supplementing with a fiber supplement will ensure you improve your digestive health, reduce your cholesterol, and even help you prevent certain cancers and heart disease.
Take a look at the best of the best below!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Effectiveness
If it doesn't work well it didn't make our list. Period.
This might seem obvious but it's worth saying; if something doesn't work there's no point in buying and using it. Having said that, all of the products on this list do a good job and will help you add fiber to your diet. However, do you mind if we get super real with you for just a minute?
Fiber supplements do not come close to doing as good of a job as the fiber that is found in real, whole foods and certainly, is not a substitute for poor eating habits. Making conscious food choices in this day and age is increasingly difficult and there is a lot of misinformation out there.
There are also a lot of people looking to make a quick buck out of all that confusion. At RunnerClick we make money by recommending products to you, bu twe do not make a dime when we tell you to go eat a big salad before you run out and buy one of the products on featured on this--or any other--list.
Now that that's out of the way, we'll admit that fiber supplements can be helpful for some people who may be on a restrictive diet who for whatever reason aren't currently able to ingest enough fresh fruit and vegetables to meet the recommended daily intake of 25-30 grams a day of fiber from whole foods.
So to recap: eat whole foods every day. If you can't eat plenty of whole foods for some reason, then, and only then, can you think about buying one or more of the products on this list. Got it?
Materials
Just as you need to be minful of the materials in your running attire you need to be mindful of the ingredients in your supplements.
Seeing as you'll be putting one of these supplements in your body the ingredients that it's made of are super important. First and foremost, there are two different active ingredients that provide the fiber in these supplements. The first is psyllium, which is sourced from the seeds of the plantago ovata plant.
This plant is native to western and southern Asia and can also be found growing wild in the southwest part of the United States where it's believed to have been accidentally introduced. It's also known as blonde plantain, ispaghul, and desert Indian wheat. The other fibrous ingredient you'll find is supplements is methylcellulose, which is made by chemically synthesizing cellulose from various plant sources.
Psyllium does not dissolve in water but instead forms a gel. Methylcellulose will dissolve in water so it may be better for those who have difficulty swallowing things with a strange texture. So in short, psyllium is a more natural option but can be harder to take, while methylcellulose isn't as natural but is far easier to ingest.
We have products with both types of fiber on our list because we want to give our readers options, and now that you know the origin of both types it will be easier to make a good choice for you and your health.
Taste
If you need to get extra fiber in your diet it's helpful if you enjoy taking it!
On their own, both psyllium and methylcellulose, which are the active ingredients in fiber supplements, have no flavor. That's why companies go to great lengths to add their flavors to their products. The most common and best known is probably orange-flavored Metamucil, but lately, fiber gummies have become increasingly popular and come in all sorts of flavors that usually taste like fruit.
Since taste is a completely subjective factor, there's no way of knowing exactly what you'll think of something that we at RunnerClick enjoy. That's why we also considered over 1300 reviews from customers who have taken the products and shared their opinions. Considering these allows us to get a better all-around opinion on the flavor of a product than simply relying on our taste buds on their own.
The products on this list range from not so tasty too so delicious that you might have trouble sticking to the recommended dose. The good news is that you can't really take too much fiber, although if you're eating some of the gummy fiber supplements you may want to be careful of how much sugar you're ingesting, whether it comes from natural forms such as fruit juice, or something a bit worse for you such as cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
Ease of Use
The texture of the product is the main determinant of how easy it is to take.
Psyllium husks, one of the two active ingredients in fiber supplements, do not dissolve in water and form what is basically a gel. While this is a very natural and effective option, some people simply can't stand taking this type of supplement simply because of the texture, and it's better to be getting your fiber in a different form than not at all.
Methylcellulose is the other active ingredient in fiber supplements and will dissolve in water. This makes it a lot more palatable for most people to ingest. We also have several gummy options on our list that are the easiest of all to take.
It can be hard to believe that there is actually fiber in these but studies have shown them to be effective nonetheless. If you choose a gummy option, however, we recommend you don't overdo it. Some of these can be so delicious that users will eat more than the advised dose and end up ingesting more sugar at one time that what is generally considered healthy.
Product Purity
The products on our list range from completely natural psyllium husks with nothing else added to several gummy options that have other ingredients that change the texture and add flavor.
While the healthiest and simplest fiber supplements don't have any added ingredients, we recognize that these can be difficult for the majority of people to ingest. This can mean that they might take them once, find them gross or otherwise unpalatable and then never take them again.
We think that it's better to take a supplement consistently so you're getting the benefits even if it has some added unnatural ingredients. When ranking the products on this list we looked at all of the ingredients they contain, the source of these ingredients, and their sources.
Then we ranked them according to purity. Some of these can be subjective because one person's definition of purity can be different than someone else's, but we think you'll find our list and rankings fairly accurate and we hope they help you choose the best option for your health.
best fiber supplement
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1. VitaFusion Fiber Well
Vitafusion Fiber Well gummies are fruit-flavored squares of gelatin containing 5g of fiber per treat. They're an easy and (dare I say it?) mildly entertaining way to make sure you get the supplements you need whether you're concerned about your performance or you're just a health-conscious individual.
Plus, since these are one of the few brands of gummies sold in larger quantities (220 gummies per bottle) you won't have to remember them every grocery shopping trip!
Read moreEffectiveness
Vitafusion represents one of the best deals in the fiber supplement market. Each bottle contains 220 gummies with 5g of fiber each and all for under 25 bucks. This means it is offered at a normal price range and is affordable to most individuals looking for a fiber supplement.
Materials
This fiber supplement is made of all-natural ingredients that you can trust. It does not feature any artificial ingredients, such as artificial dyes and artificial colors. Overall, this is a great product for most users.
Taste
As far as taste goes, this product is available in lots of great flavors--so even your older kiddos will love this one. It is sweet and chewy, so you will feel like you are eating candy--really healthy candy--so you will enjoy it each and every time.
Ease of Use
Vitafusion gummies taste better than just "decent" for a supplement. In fact, they won The 2012 Chef's Best Award in Excellence for their dedication to making fiber accessible to everyone, from adults to kids. The unique formulation is easy to take and does not have the chalky potent taste that some other fiber supplements tend to have.
Product Purity
Vitafusion Fiber Well gummies contain naturally sourced colors and flavors. These gummies also contain no gluten (wheat), milk, eggs, peanuts or soy. So, if you are sensitive to any of those ingredients, you can definitely look into using this product!
2. Benefiber
What if you could take your fiber at any time, with any meal, no matter where you went, without lugging around a gigantic pill bottle? Benefiber's Powder Stick Packs let you do just that! Benefiber has become a trusted namesake in the fiber business for a reason. Their commitment to the tech of supplements makes it easier than ever to get your daily fiber.
The only reason this fiber supplement comes in at number 2 is that its wide-mouth design makes it a little too easy to spill the contents of the pouch everywhere other than your water bottle.
Read moreEffectiveness
According to user reviews and countless research, these fiber sticks are really effective and get the job done. They feature quality ingredients that ensure you get the fiber you need, so you don't have to worry about doubling up on your serving size to get the fiber you need.
Materials
This is a great option for most people. It comes with 24 fiber sticks for you, so you have enough for almost the entire month with just one packet. And the best part about this one is that you can take it with you wherever you go easily!
Taste
Benefiber Fiber Supplement Powder Stick Packs are tasteless, sugar-free and dissolves clear. For those of you who choose not to mix fiber into your food or drinks directly, the "on the go" powder pack line is also available in a Kiwi-Strawberry flavor.
Ease of Use
These slim stick packs are meant to be taken 3 times daily. Meaning one package will only last you approximately three weeks. This certainly isn't the best value, but this design's unique portability offsets that disadvantage.
Product Purity
Benefiber Fiber Supplement Powder Stick Packs are made with pure wheat dextrin (a form of prebiotic fiber). As such, they may not be suitable for those of you with gluten allergies or Celiac disease.
3. Now Foods Whole Psyllium Husks
If you're looking to up the fiber in your diet, why not start with the basics? Whole Psyllium Husks can be used in an immense range of baked goods and other cooked products without any reduction in how effective it is.
Read moreEffectiveness
Buying bulk whole Psyllium husks like these from Now Foods is one of the biggest values when it comes to incorporating fiber into your diet. For under 9 dollars, you'll get over a month's supply of 6g dosages of fiber.
Materials
This ultra-grainy fiber supplement features (as the name suggests) Whole Psyllium Husks as its main source of fiber, so you can get everything you need in a single serving!
Taste
Slightly grainier than traditional fiber powders, whole Psyllium husks are basically just the outsides of the Plantago ovata plant's seeds. They're commonly used in baked goods like bran muffins and healthy smoothies.
Ease of Use
Plus, they can be incorporated into soups as a thickening agent that has the bonus side effect of adding nutrients to your diet! Unfortunately, when you mix whole Psyllium husks into the water and other liquids, the overall result can be pretty unpalatable.
Product Purity
Since this supplement is made up almost entirely from nothing more than psyllium husks, there is little concern for allergies and dietary restriction concerns. It is simple fiber and hardly any users have ever reported any type of major problem when taking this fiber supplement.
4. Fiber Choice
However, Fiber Choice's gummies have almost half of the Inulin offered by other brands (1.5g per supplement). In addition, some users reported this product was not as effective for increasing regularity as other plant-based products like Flaxseed and Psyllium Husk.
Read moreEffectiveness
This fiber supplement is less potent than other selections on our list, so this is a great selection for those of you who are looking for something to supplement the fiber that you get from your daily diet.
Materials
As far as materials and ingredients go, this product uses a variety of sources to deliver the fiber you need to get what your body needs. This is not super potent, but it is a great option for those of you who don't need something that is really potent.
Taste
Fiber Choice Fruity Bites come in three assorted fruit flavors: Pear, Cherry, and Blue Raspberry. These gummies are also made with naturally sourced colors and natural flavors. They also claim to be the "Best Tasting Fiber Gummies" on the market.
Ease of Use
At first glance, Fiber Choice Fruity Bites represent a similar value as the aforementioned Phillips' gummies. For about 12 dollars, you'll receive a three-month supply. However, each gummy only contains 1.5g of fiber - ultimately making Fiber Choice one of the more expensive supplements per gram of fiber added to the diet.
Product Purity
Like Phillips' gummies, Fiber Choice Fruity Bites are made with Inulin. Inulin is a plant-based fiber that, unfortunately for pre-diabetics and those of us looking to manage our weight, might result in blood sugar spikes.
5. Phillips' Fiber Good
For runners who are looking to increase their fiber intake for its heart health benefits and ability to control cravings, Phillips' Fiber Good Gummies are a great choice. Made with a plant-based substance called Inulin, they can help regulate your digestive tract and boost the number of pre-biotics in your tummy.
Unfortunately, these gummies, like the VitaFusion brand, may also stick together if left temperatures higher than 70 degrees.
Read moreEffectiveness
This is another less potent fiber supplement, but it gets the job done. This is one is a great addition to your diet if you already have a great fiber intake from your daily diet.
Materials
Because of this, products made with Inulin are not recommended for diabetics. In addition, these gummies are also made with Gelatin. This means they are not suitable for Vegans.
Taste
Many found the variety of flavors that Phillips' gummies offer to be appealing, especially when trying to encourage children to lead active, healthy lives.
Ease of Use
Despite the dietary limitations of Phillips' Fiber Good Gummies, they still represent a great value. You'll be able to get a 3-month supply for around 10 dollars, making this a very affordable option for runners who are looking to simply add a little more fiber into their diets.
Product Purity
Phillips' fiber gummies have a total of 4g of Inulin per supplement. Inulin is a type of fiber that comes from the roots of plants (usually chicory). Because of its special composition, our bodies respond to it similarly as they would sugar.
6. Fibercon
To be fair, a good number of people despise taking anything in pill form. But, for those of you that find tablets quicker and easier than mixing powders, you should take note that this product is widely recommended by doctors to those showing early signs of IBS or intestinal discomfort that may interrupt your run schedule.
Read moreEffectiveness
This is a great affordable option that provides you with the fiber you need. If you don't mind capsules and need your daily source of fiber, this is a great way to go.
Materials
As far as materials go, this fiber supplement uses a variety of different sources. It is recommended by many physicians, so you can trust that it will give you the fiber you need.
Taste
Fibercon supplements are tasteless and odorless. This can be a huge factor for many as the taste and consistency of some fiber supplements can be very off-putting for some individuals. This supplement helps reduce this issue and makes it easy to get extra fiber in your diet.
Ease of Use
Available in 90, 140, and 280 count packs these fiber supplements also come at a reasonable purchase price. It is a good option if you are looking for a quick and easy way to add fiber to your diet and boost your daily intake.
Product Purity
Fibercon Fiber Therapy is different than your standard fiber capsule. Firstly, it's not made with Psyllium, but rather, Calcium polycarbophil. Although that might sound fancy, the largest difference is that Calcium polycarbophil is highly inert. That means, no bloating, gassiness, or diarrhea as a side effect of adding some nutrition to your diet!
7. Optimum Nutrition Fitness
This supplement is marketed towards the fitness crowd. It is an unflavoured fiber supplement that is a great addition to a morning protein smoothie. It contains 5g of fiber per serving.
Read moreEffectiveness
This is one of the most effective fiber supplements for you to choose from. Just throw it in your favorite smoothie or shake and blend it well to ensure that you get your daily supply of fiber and reap the rewards.
Materials
A blend of 6 different fiber sources, including inulin (not recommended for diabetics). The fiber sources contain some that have been modified and are not all-natural. There are no added ingredients besides fiber, however, and there are 5g of fiber per serving.
Taste
Unflavoured powder, which makes it great to mix in with protein smoothies. The smoother texture also makes it more palatable but it can get very thick very quickly which can make it harder to drink for some people.
Ease of Use
This is a low-cost product for the quantities that you get (about $15 for 30 servings). It is also an easy way to control how much-added fiber you get as you can control the eat amount you are getting each and every time.
Product Purity
This product features additional ingredients that are not completely natural and organic--so if you specifically want to stay away from certain ingredients, you need to take a close look at the ingredient list.
8. Nature Made
Nature Made Fiber Adult Gummies are, as the name implies, made without preservatives and use natural sources (instead of synthetic dyes) to color their product. Additionally, these gummies are yeast and gluten-free so they should be relatively safe for those with Celiac and gluten allergies.
Read moreEffectiveness
Nature Made gummies, unlike the Fiber Choice brand, have about 3g fiber per gummy. With only 90 gummies per bottle, this makes them nearly twice as expensive as Fiber Well gummies.
Materials
This fiber supplement is a great option for those of you who are looking for a fiber supplement that tastes great--I mean, honestly, it is like a healthy little sweet treat every time you take it. However, it is important to note that these gummies have gelatin so if you are vegan they won't work for you.
Taste
Nature Made Fiber Adult Gummies are made in a variety of natural fruit flavors including cherry, strawberry, lemon, orange, sour apple, and grape. This represents one of the widest flavor ranges for fiber gummies on the market today. Some people claimed to prefer the taste of Phillip's gummies to this product.
Ease of Use
Those of you looking for a truly easy to use fiber supplement will love this one. It is pretty much just a gummy, so you just pop in your daily serving and you are ready to go!
Product Purity
Nature Made Fiber Adult Gummies are made without preservatives, yeast, or gluten. However, these gummies are not suitable for those of us who have to watch our sugar intake very closely (like pre-diabetics and diabetics), since these supplements contain about 9 to 10g of sugar per serving. In addition, these gummies are also made with Gelatin. This means they are not suitable for Vegans.
9. Citrucel
Despite being marketed more toward those seeking occasional gastro relief, these caplets actually contain some of the most fiber per serving (5g) of any supplement found on the market. In addition, Citrucel has been laboratory tested and is recommended by a large number of physicians. Citrucel caplets also have an easy-to-get-down coating that we appreciated.
Read moreEffectiveness
This fiber supplement is really effective and a great option for those of you who need something that is easy to take down. If you deal with stomach issues, this is a gentle way to get the fiber you need.
Materials
This is product available in different forms--so you can choose between tablets and powders. This is a great way to get the fiber you need without having to take in any ingredients you don't trust.
Taste
Citrucel Fiber Therapy Caplets are tasteless and odorless. They are also easy to take and can be taken at any time of the day with a glass of water for a quick and easy dose of added fiber.
Ease of Use
Citrucel Fiber Therapy Caplets are slightly overpriced. But at around 18 dollars for a 4-month supply, they aren't the worst selection on the market.
Product Purity
Citrucel Fiber Therapy Caplets use methylcellulose fiber, which is a non-toxic, non-allergenic, and won't irritate the gastrointestinal tract. It is a safe option for those with sensitive stomachs or who do not do well with a lot of strong medicines.
10. Fiber Advance
If you're a runner who feels like their diet is mostly on-track and only needs to add a few supplements to their diet you might be pleased to learn each Fiber Advance gummy only has 2g of fiber.
Read moreEffectiveness
Unfortunately, the cost of these supplements is too high for the results they provide. It would be far more cost-efficient to turn to Psyllium or another brand that uses non-irritating Inulin fiber.
Materials
In addition, these gummies are also made with Gelatin. This means they are not suitable for Vegans. In addition, these are some of the most calorically dense gummies on the market at 45 calories per serving.
Taste
Fiber Advance Gummies come in a variety of fruit flavors. They offer a quick and easy way to get fiber without a lot of the taste and consistency issues that are commonly reported with other supplements. However, they do tend to stick together and can easily melt and become unusable.
Ease of Use
Like all the gummy selections on our list, this one is really easy to take--just don't leave them in your car or in the heat so you don't have to worry about them melting and welding together.
Product Purity
Like a few other products on this list, these are made without sugar and use Inulin. Inulin is a type of fiber that comes from the roots of plants (usually chicory). Because of its special composition, our bodies respond to it similarly as they would sugar. Because of this, products made with Inulin are not recommended for diabetics.
Sources
- , Pros and Cons of Benefiber, Digital Magazine
- , What’s the Best Fiber Supplement?, Informative website
- , Psyllium Fiber vs. Methylcellulose, Health, wellness, and fitness website
- , The Health Benefits of Psyllium, Health and wellness website
