A Practical Guide for GLP-1 Users

Fiber supplements can be incredibly helpful — when used intentionally.
On Zepbound (and other GLP-1 medications), digestion is slower by design. The goal isn’t more fiber at all costs — it’s the right type, at the right time, in the right amount, often alongside magnesium.

Let’s break this down without fear or confusion.

🌱 Food Comes First (Always)

Before adding supplements, aim to get fiber from whole foods:

• Apples (with skin)
• Pears
• Kiwi
• Raspberries / blackberries
• Prunes (1–3, not a bowl)
• Oats
• Lentils
• Vegetables (cooked is often easier early on)

If digestion is moving reasonably well with food + hydration + walking + magnesium, you may not need a fiber supplement at all.

Supplements are tools — not requirements.

🧂 Magnesium: Often the Missing Piece for GLP-1 Digestion

Before adding fiber — or alongside it — magnesium is often the simplest and most effective support for digestion on Zepbound.

Magnesium works differently than fiber.
Instead of adding bulk, it helps relax the intestinal muscles and draw water into the stool, making bowel movements easier without heaviness or bloating.

For many women on GLP-1s, magnesium alone can restore regularity — especially early in the journey.

✔️ Magnesium can help with:

• Slower digestion
• Hard or dry stools
• Infrequent bowel movements
• Bloating from too much fiber
• Gentle daily regularity

✔️ Forms that tend to work best:

• Magnesium glycinate – gentle, well-absorbed, good for daily use (and sleep)
• Magnesium citrate – slightly more stimulating; helpful if constipation is more stubborn
  (Start low)

⚠️ Use cautiously if:

• You have kidney disease
• You already have loose stools
• You’re taking magnesium from multiple supplements

Think of magnesium as:
👉 “Let’s help things move naturally,” not “let’s force a result.”

Many clients find that once magnesium + hydration are consistent, they need less fiber supplementation — or none at all.

🥇 Metamucil Powder (Psyllium Husk)

✔️ Best for:

• Hard or dry stools
• Infrequent bowel movements
• Needing more stool structure
• People who tolerate fiber well
• When hydration is consistent

⚠️ Use cautiously if:

• You feel very full or bloated
• Digestion already feels slow and heavy
• You’re early in your Zepbound journey
• You struggle to drink enough water

✅ How to use it well:

• Start with ½ teaspoon once daily (not the label dose)
• Mix with 12–16 oz water
• Drink immediately — don’t let it thicken
• Best taken mid-morning or midday
• Increase slowly only if needed

🚫 Avoid:

• Taking it at night
• Taking it without enough fluids
• Stacking with multiple fiber supplements

Think of Metamucil as:
👉 “Let’s gently add structure,” not “let’s force a bowel movement.”

🍬 Fiber Gummies

✔️ Best for:

• Mild constipation
• Maintenance support
• People who don’t tolerate powders
• Travel or convenience
• Those already getting decent fiber from food

⚠️ Limitations:

• Lower fiber per serving
• Often contain added sweeteners
• Can cause gas or bloating if overused

✅ How to use them:

• Follow label dosing
• Pair with good hydration
• Use as support, not a fix

🚫 Avoid:

• Multiple gummy servings daily
• Using as your only fiber source

Think of fiber gummies as:
👉 “A nudge,” not a solution.

🌾 Psyllium Husk (Loose Powder or Capsules)

✔️ Best for:

• Creating soft, formed stools
• Improving regularity over time
• Supporting cholesterol and blood sugar
• People who tolerate fiber well

⚠️ Use cautiously on Zepbound if:

• You bloat easily
• Meals already feel heavy
• You’re constipated and uncomfortable

✅ How to use it well:

• Start with ½ teaspoon once daily
• Mix with plenty of water
• Take earlier in the day
• Increase very slowly if needed

🚫 Avoid:

• Full doses right away
• Using without hydration
• Taking late in the evening

Think of psyllium as:
👉 “Structure + softness,” not urgency.

🧠 How to Choose the Right Support

Ask yourself:

❓ My stools are hard, dry, and infrequent
→ Start with magnesium + hydration
→ Add low-dose psyllium or Metamucil if needed

❓ I go, but not daily — and stools are mostly fine
→ Magnesium or fiber gummies may be enough

❓ I’m bloated and uncomfortable
→ Skip fiber supplements for now
→ Focus on hydration, magnesium, walking, cooked foods

❓ Nothing is working
→ Reassess hydration first
→ Ensure magnesium consistency
→ Use stimulant laxatives (like Smooth Move) occasionally, not daily

👉 If constipation is persistent, worsening, painful, or accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, it’s time to check in with your healthcare provider. They can help rule out underlying issues, adjust your medication or dose, and make sure your plan is safe and appropriate.

🚨 What Not to Do on GLP-1s

• Don’t add multiple fiber supplements at once
• Don’t suddenly double or triple fiber intake
• Don’t take fiber without fluids
• Don’t rely on stimulant laxatives daily
• Don’t ignore how your body feels

More fiber is not always better — especially on GLP-1 medications.

💛 Bottom Line

On Zepbound, digestion support works best when it’s gentle, layered, and individualized.

• Food comes first
• Hydration is non-negotiable
• Magnesium often helps more than fiber
• Fiber supplements are tools — not fixes

The goal is soft, predictable, drama-free digestion — not forcing your gut into submission.

🌼 A Quick, Important Note

Everything shared here is educational, based on current research, clinical experience, and what I see work well for many women — especially in midlife.

It’s not medical advice, and it’s not meant to replace guidance from your healthcare provider.

If you’re taking Zepbound (or considering it), please:

• talk with your prescribing provider before starting new supplements
• check in if you have a history of GI conditions, kidney disease, or other chronic medical issues
• let your provider know if constipation, nausea, or abdominal discomfort becomes severe or persistent
• ask for personalized guidance if you’re on other medications that could interact with supplements like magnesium, fiber, or stimulant laxatives

Your body, your history, and your medication plan matter. A good provider will help you tailor all of this safely and effectively.

Think of this guide as support and education, not a prescription.

💛 Robyn

Interested in a one-on-one health coaching relationship with me? It would be an honor to work with you if and when the time feels right.

To learn more about GLP-1 Coaching click HERE. 

To schedule a Discovery Session click HERE