are there any fiber supplements out there that arent gross?

[mopinko]

i have diverticulosis, which bothers me from time to time, but is generally low on the list of things that really get in my way, healthwise.

but lately it has really been sucking. a lot of discomfort, and digestive distress. there is little to be done about it, but a fiber supplement can help.
i have tried a few over the years. those drink things are like drinking snot. i used to do a tablet that was a little like a tums, but it was sticky, and coated my teeth. uck.

the metamusal cookies are not bad. i could stand it.

but wondering if anyone has conquered this beast.

[DonaldsRump]

1. What about just plain carbon capsules, available in most health food stores like GNC

I'm no MD, so make sure it works and is ok for you.

[mopinko]

2. never heard of this. what is it supposed to do?

[DonaldsRump]

4. Take a look at this

It explains far better than I can: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-269/activated-charcoal

Check/search "activated charcoal" which I guess is the proper names, but it does have good health benefits.

[hlthe2b]

6. Please be a bit cautious on this. Activated charcoal is used to prevent toxin absorption & treat

overdose for a good reason--it prevents absorption through the gut. Unfortunately, when used regularly, that can likewise mean not absorbing nutrients through the gut, either. Thus, there is concern in the medical community, that use of Activated Charcoal regularly in this manner that may result in considerable deficiencies. Might want to touch base with your doc about this... As with most things, moderation probably in order...

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Psyllium husks in orange juice or grapefruit juice work for me.

[hlthe2b]

5. I'm fortunate in having a very high tolerance to any number of fiber forms, including legumes..

But in the heat of the summer, I sometimes have trouble eating anything that isn't cold and that includes a lot of smoothies. While fruit and flaxseeds can add fiber, I often add a soluble fiber supplement. I used to use one called PGX-daily singles, but they are a bit pricey and gritty.

I've read good things about

Benefiber Daily Prebiotic Dietary Fiber Supplement Powder for Digestive Health, 100% Natural, Clear and Taste-Free, so that might be the next one I try. That it is flavor-free and dissolves readily seems positive. It is also gluten-free if that is an issue for you.

BTW, one of the best "veggie" type supplements is canned pumpkin.

Since I limit my daily carbs, I don't get a lot of fiber from bread and other grain sources. So, while I get a lot just from my heavy veggie and frequent legume consumption, it never hurts to add more.

[mopinko]

7. a boost for my biome prolly wouldnt hurt, either.

i find this topic fascinating. i have a kid w crohn's, and this is something that was just starting to be talked about when she was dx'd in 2000.

at this point it seems we know 2 things about it-
the gut biome is important to everything about our biology and health, including mental health.

and-
we dont know shit about the subject.

the current probiotics came out of that research about then, and i was told that they just werent panning out in practice.
they have gotten a lot more complex now, and i think it is worth a try. i do like a greek yogurt for breakfast, and it often helps calm things down.

[hlthe2b]

8. Big proponent of active yogurt (I make my own every week)...

My dog gets a bit daily too and seems very resistant to GI issues--even after munching down on grass on occasion. Most dog owners would find that an added incentive.

Exactly which gut bacteria are best-- that we don't know, but the main ones used to produce yogurt seem certain to be among them.

[silverweb]

9. Check out Fibersol-2

I use it and like it very much.

[safeinOhio]

10. This time of year I get cleaned out with fresh fruit like plumbs and peaches.

Fresh sour kraut I get at Costco for probiotics. Not into supplements.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Do you really need a supplement, or can you get enough from high fiber fruits, veggies and grains?

I'm diabetic and have to watch carbs, but love oatmeal with flaxseed and sliced apples. Unsugared Cheerios, bran flakes and other cereals are good, too. I like squashes, broccoli, and other such fiberous things. A favorite snack is an acorn squash nuked for a few minutes. For a meal, fill the hole with something like salmon cake doings. Dried beans cooked in a pressure cooker are easy. Canned beans often have other stuff you might not want. Like too much sugar or salt-- read labels.

Apples have most of their fiber in the skin, and the apple a day thing is a good idea. Or two. Or three. Raspberries are one of the highest fiber fruits.

And so it goes.

[zooks]

12. POPCORN! Tons of fiber.

I too have diverticulosis but it hasn't at this point affected me. If you eat oat bran bread try something else for a while and see if that helps. I once start using it and experienced negative effects and someone else asked me whether I was eating oat bran. She suggested I stop the oat bran and bingo things got better.

[mopinko]

13. i love popcorn. damn i wish i could still eat it.

yeah, for those that dont have this problem-- that was a little zooks joke.

[zooks]

14. Do you avoid it due to the diveritulosis?

[mopinko]

17. yes. those little hulls are awful.

were you serious?
my daughter cant eat it, either. i remember that was something that upset us both when they told her she couldnt have it any more.
my gi told me if i would only make one change, it was never eat popcorn again.

i do have it at the movies occasionally. those poppers seem not to leave the hulls behind.

[DemoTex]

15. I have diverticulosis, too.

If I don't take a fiber supplement daily, I get diverticulitis. So, facing the surgery alternative, I am highly motivated to choke down a glass of Metamucil or Benefiber every morning.

I actually prefer Benefiber, because I can mix it into a cup of coffee. Or a glass of juice. The trick to taking Metamucil, is to mix it with water and drink it immediately. Don't let it thicken.

I find that Metamucil works marginally better, and I'll switch over to it if I start getting symptoms. But if I take Benefiber religiously, it works fine for daily maintenance.

[Karadeniz]

16. My husband has had gut problems his whole life. He's tried various fiber supplements and

recently tried Benefiber...just the basic version. He mixes it in a glass of water and it COMPLETELY disappears, so it's easy to slug down. Most supplements either don't work for him or irritate things so much he gives up. He's actually sticking with the Benefiber even though he takes it 3 times a day....more water doesn't hurt! He also has a bit of diverticulitis.

[No Vested Interest]

18. Miralax as needed. Recommended to me by my female urologist, who said she takes it every day.

A tasteless powder. I tend to take small amount - perhaps a tsp. in my black coffee.
The amount could be increased, though I seldom do so. To me, less is always better than too much.

If needed, a quarter cup raisin bran combined with my other dry cereals - 3/4 c- and milk.

For extreme need, I have a container of delicious dates, which I don't dare touch unless the need is truly there.