Psyllium and appetite

[CalvinFish]

Ever since a blockag in the plumbing during my first week of induction I have been taking two heaping tablespoons of psyllium husks a day, one at breakfast and one at dinner. Because it is all fiber, and has a colen cleansing ability I have stuck with it even though I suspect the earlier back up problem has gone away.

The other day, I had a breakfast meeting, and I left the house without taking the psyllium or my sups. What I found was I was hungrier at breakfast than I normally have been. That evening I went to a BBQ and was similarly hungry and ate more than I have been. I wasn't eating too much, it just took more for me to get to that 'satisfied' level. One of the uses of psyllium husk listed on the container is appetite control, by taking it 1/2 hour before meals.

So, at last, here is the question. Is this a reasonable thing to continue? When I take psyllium, a eat between 1450 and 1600 calories a day to feel satisfied. When I didn't I was at 1950. (both very close to 65/35/5). As long as I don't feel hungry or low energy while taking the psyllium, I tend to think I will stick wit it.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry]

Re: Psyllium and appetite

Never hurts to keep taking psyllium as far as I am concerned.

Fiber is a good thing.

I have my daily intake of flax every day one way or another.

[sadie147]

Re: Psyllium and appetite

I take 2 tbspns a day as well..before meals. Fibre is a known appitite suppressant, it gives you the feeling of being 'full'. I mix it with a bit of pumpkin puree, splenda and cinnamon, it's brutal to try to take with just water.

For anyone who is currently not taking it but would like to start, you have to start taking fibre supplements gradually. Metamucil (which is psyllium i beleive), recommends starting out with 1 tspn a day, and slowly increasing it to 3. It can cause bloating and even constipation if you take too much at once.

It's also very important you drink a tonne of water if you're taking psyllium or fibre suppliments, even flax. to help it go thru your digestive system

[2big4mysize]

Re: Psyllium and appetite

check your DANDR and you will see Dr Atkins prescribes fiber to avoid what you had on a continued bases in his chapter on fiber.

the bulk of the fiber can slow down the motility of your intestines making you feel fuller longer. It can also trap foods inside its plug for lack of a better word and not allow them to be digested even though you are counting them in your cals eatten theus they don't impact your blood sugars and insulin levels too.

Souble fiber which is what you are having also slows digetions ans sits as a mass in your tummy longer again tricking you into eating less and keeping the amounts from impaxcting the blood sugars.

the only caution is that many vits and minerals you consume when you take that are also locked up in that fiber plug so make sure you take your vits and supps at another time.

Happy low carbing.

Keep taking your fiber.