Danielle Fishel, 45, Gets Real About Her Health Routine and Why She’s a Fan of Fibermaxxing
Plus, experts share easy ways to get more fiber and support your gut health
Key Takeaways
- Danielle Fishel says prioritizing daily fiber has transformed how she feels in her 40s.
- Spreading fiber throughout the day may help support digestion and keep you feeling full.
- Experts recommend getting more fiber from whole foods or a psyllium fiber supplement.
Whether you’re a Xennial who grew up watching the coming-of-age sitcom Boy Meets World or you loved Dancing With the Stars Season 34, chances are actress Danielle Fishel, 45, has been a familiar face throughout your life. But beyond playing beloved characters or dancing her heart out, she’s also shining a light on her health and wellness routine through her partnership with Metamucil—including the simple daily health tip she prioritizes in her 40s and why she’s a big fan of fibermaxxing.
How Danielle Fishel changed her wellness routine in her 40s
Every decade of our lives brings new experiences, wisdom and interests—and sometimes, new routines. In an exclusive interview with Woman’s World, Fishel shared how her health routine has changed in her current chapter of life.
“As I got older, I really noticed a difference in my digestion and just how much slower I felt like everything was going,” Fishel told Woman’s World. “I think the biggest change that I’ve made in my 40s has been making sure I am getting my daily recommended amount of fiber every single day because it just makes such a difference in the way I feel as I go about my day.”
Fishel’s routine of prioritizing fiber has a lot of health benefits. “Fiber isn’t just about regularity,” says Carmen Fong, MD, FACS, colorectal surgeon and chief medical officer of Bummed (bummed.co). “It feeds your gut bacteria (your microbiome), which affects digestion, immune function and even inflammation levels throughout your body. It also helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, and it’s one of the most well-supported tools we have for preventing hemorrhoids.”
And how much fiber should you be getting a day? “The daily goal for dietary fiber is approximately 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men, with an emphasis on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains,” adds Ritu Nahar, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Allied Digestive Health.
Danielle Fishel on the fibermaxxing trend
Fishel isn’t the only one who prioritizes fiber. There’s a whole social media trend dedicated to maximizing fiber in your diet, called fibermaxxing, and Fishel “loves” it.
“I also am loving this fibermaxxing trend of being able to add fiber in between your meals,” says Fishel. “It helps me stay full when I’m super active and on the go and I’m with my kids. Being able to just make sure I have something that’s going to hold me over. Because I love a good snack, don’t get me wrong, but if you snack too much, then you’re not getting all your nutrients at your meals. So if I start to get hungry, instead of snacking on something unhealthy, having some added fiber that I know is going to help me stay regular and also keep me full until my next meal is a game changer.”
And Fishel’s routine of incorporating fiber throughout the day has real health benefits. “Your gut is working continuously, not just once a day,” says Dr. Fong. “Digestion is an all-day process, so a steady supply of fiber matches how your system actually operates rather than asking it to process one large dose. It reduces gas and bloating. A big fiber dump in one sitting, especially if your gut isn’t used to it, tends to cause more fermentation and discomfort than the same amount spread out.”
Danielle Fishel’s fibermaxxing hack
Dr. Fong says most Americans don’t get as much fiber as they need. Good news: Fishel and our experts shared some fiber hacks to help you make sure you’re hitting your goals.
Consider fiber supplement packs
Always on the go? Fishel’s fibermaxxing hack may help. “I keep these amazing fiber on-the-go packs, the Metamucil On-the-Go Packets, in my purse. I immediately put one into my giant container of water so that at the very least, I know I’m starting my day with one thing checked off of my list,” said Fishel.
Dr. Fong recommends mixing a psyllium powder like Metamucil into water or even taking it in capsule form starting with a small dose and then slowly increasing it. “Psyllium is a soluble fiber, and it has the best track record in the research for symptom relief with the fewest side effects,” explains Dr. Fong. “It’s actually the first supplement we recommend under the current national GI guidelines before moving to laxatives or prescription options.”
Try fiber supplement packs once or twice a day with plenty of fluid, says Dr. Fong. “This is meant to be an ongoing habit, not an occasional fix, and you build up the dose over a couple of weeks rather than starting at full strength,” she adds.
Eat kiwi or prunes
Not sure what dietary changes can help? Give Dr. Fong’s kiwi and prune hack a try. She recommends eating two kiwis (including the skin, as much of the fiber is there) or 10 prunes as a snack.
“This is a whole-food, evidence-based fix specifically for constipation,” explains Dr. Fong. “Prunes also contain natural sorbitol, which pulls water into the colon and softens stool.”
Have either of these fruit hacks daily around the same time each day for a few weeks, recommends Dr. Fong, and the benefits will build with consistency.
Important: Start small, with just a kiwi or two or a smaller serving of prunes, and gradually work your way up over the course of several weeks. This helps reduce the risk of bloating and GI upset that can sometimes accompany a sudden increase in fiber intake.
The bottom line on changing your health routine with age
Supporting your health with every decade of your life doesn’t have to be difficult. For Fishel, adding Metamucil to her health routine not only keeps her regular but makes her feel “so much lighter on her feet.” Maybe for you, prioritizing your health means closing a nutritional gap you ignored in your 20s or 30s. Regardless, what matters is finding what works for you with every decade.
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