When mixed with water or juice, Metamucil forms a thick, cloudy beverage with a sandy, gritty mouthfeel that some find unpalatable. The powder doesn’t fully dissolve, leaving clumps and a slimy coating in the mouth. While the fiber in Metamucil is beneficial, its chalky taste and chunky consistency often deter people from taking it consistently.
However, there are easy tips and tricks you can use to make Metamucil more enjoyable to drink. With some clever mixing methods, flavor additions, recipe ideas, and switching to capsule form, you can make your daily doses of Metamucil go down much smoother. This comprehensive guide will outline numerous ways to disguise the texture and make Metamucil easier to consume.
By finding a preparation of Metamucil you enjoy, you’ll get all the digestive and health perks of this supplement without the unpleasantness. Let’s explore the simple solutions for making Metamucil a breeze to drink!
Contents
Adding Flavorings and Mix-Ins
One of the simplest ways to make Metamucil more drinkable is to mix it with strongly flavored juices, smoothies, or other ingredients that can mask the texture:
- Fruit juices – Orange, apple, grape, cranberry, or other 100% fruit juices are excellent mixers for Metamucil. The sweetness helps counter the blandness.
- Smoothies – Blended smoothies are a tasty way to take Metamucil. Banana, berry, tropical, or green smoothies pair well.
- Yogurt – Stirring in a dollop of yogurt helps improve creaminess and flavor. Greek yogurt works best.
- Honey – A drizzle of honey adds sweetness to temper the grainy texture.
- Cocoa powder – Adding a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa makes it resemble a chocolate milkshake.
- Peanut butter – For a nutrient boost, blend in a tablespoon of peanut butter for a pleasant nutty flavor.
- Cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon adds comforting warmth and makes it taste similar to oatmeal.
Experiment to find your own preferred combinations. The options are endless!
Chilling Overnight
Letting Metamucil sit and thicken in the refrigerator overnight helps improve its consistency the next day. The psyllium husks will absorb more liquid to yield a chilled, pudding-like texture that can be more palatable than drinking it right after mixing.
To try this:
- Mix the powder as directed with water or your choice of juice/flavoring.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Give it a good stir before drinking to evenly distribute the thickness.
Chilling Metamucil makes it resemble a parfait or smoothie bowl, giving it a more appetizing consistency to help it go down easier.
Adding More Liquid
Using more liquid than directed when mixing Metamucil can help dilute its grainy texture. Hot water or juice works best to help dissolve the powder thoroughly.
Here are some tips:
- For one dose (1-2 teaspoons), use 8-12 oz of liquid instead of 6-8 oz.
- Heat water/juice close to boiling first before adding powder.
- Use an immersion blender or whisk vigorously until fully dissolved.
- Let sit 5 minutes to fully thicken before drinking.
Adding extra hot liquid and blending well hydrates the psyllium husk particles to make a smoother, less gritty drink.
Trying Flavored Varieties
Metamucil comes in a variety of flavors that can make it more enticing to drink:
- Orange – zesty citrus flavor
- Berry – mixed berry taste
- Pink Lemonade – sweet/tart lemon-lime
- Sugar-free Orange – for calorie-conscious
The flavored options add a touch of sweetness and fruitiness that disguises the coarseness better than plain or unflavored. Rotate through different flavors to prevent taste fatigue.
Stirring vs. Shaking
Always stir Metamucil instead of shaking it in a container. Shaking can make it foam up, which amplifies the grainy texture.
Stirring gently prevents excess air bubbles for a smoother consistency. Use a spoon or immersion blender for best results.
Swallowing Pills vs. Powder
If the texture still bothers you after trying the above tips, consider switching to Metamucil capsules or wafers. They provide the same fiber benefits without the gritty drink.
Some options include:
- Metamucil MultiHealth Fiber capsules – swallow with water
- Metamucil Fiber Wafers – dissolve on tongue
The pills or wafers may be easier for people who can’t tolerate the powder’s texture. However, they contain less fiber per serving than the powder.
Recipe Ideas
Here are some tasty recipes to help incorporate Metamucil naturally into your daily diet:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1-2 tsp Metamucil
- Handful of ice
Blend all ingredients until smooth. The peanut butter and cocoa mask the texture.
Pumpkin Spice Yogurt Parfait
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1-2 tsp Metamucil
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp chopped nuts (optional)
Stir Metamucil into yogurt. Layer with pumpkin and spice. Top with nuts.
Orange Creamsicle Shake
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1-2 tsp Metamucil
- 2 tbsp vanilla yogurt
- 4 ice cubes
Mix all in blender until frothy and chilled. Tangy and sweet.
Apple Cinnamon Oats
- 1/2 cup dry oats
- 1/2 cup apple juice or cider
- 1/2 apple, chopped
- 1-2 tsp Metamucil
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Cook oats in apple juice. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making Metamucil easier to drink:
Does Metamucil dissolve better in hot or cold liquid?
Hot water or juice works best to help dissolve Metamucil powder more thoroughly. The heat helps break down the psyllium husk particles.
How long can I store mixed Metamucil in the fridge?
Mixed Metamucil will keep 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to seal and store any unused portion.
Is it safe to add Metamucil to carbonated drinks or alcohol?
No, avoid adding Metamucil to carbonated sodas or alcoholic drinks. The carbonation can worsen bloating, and alcohol dehydrates.
Can I bake or cook with Metamucil?
Yes, you can add Metamucil powder to some recipes like smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or protein shakes. But avoid heating it above 200°F.
Are the capsules or wafers as effective as the powder?
The capsules and wafers provide the same fiber benefits but contain less per serving than the powder. You may need to take more to get an equivalent dose.
Conclusion
While Metamucil has a grainy, coarse texture that can be unpalatable on its own, there are many simple tricks to make it easier and more enjoyable to drink. Adding fruit juices, smoothies, yogurt, honey, cocoa, or peanut butter helps mask the texture while providing flavor. Chilling it overnight, adding extra hot liquid, or using flavored varieties also improves its consistency. Switching to capsules or wafers is another option if you still cannot tolerate the powder form. With some creativity and experimenting, finding an appetizing way to take Metamucil daily is easy.
