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Fiber "Rules" as stated in Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition
For daily fiber supplementation
Chapter 8: "I recommend that you take one tablespoon of psyllium husks daily. Be sure to select a sugar-free product. You can also take one tablespoon of coarse wheat bran or flaxseed meal."
For relief of constipation
Chapter 11: "If you are constipated, mix a tablespoon or more of psyllium husks in a cup or more of water and drink daily. Or mix ground flaxseed into a shake or sprinkle wheat bran on a salad or vegetables."
So there is a limit set forth in the book. Again, if you use the flax as a food, then the On-Going Weight Loss phase is the appropriate phase to do that. During Induction it's only used as a fiber supplement or as a constipation reliever in the amounts specified in the book.
Types of Fiber Supplements Allowed during Induction
As mentioned in the above, there are 3 fiber supplements allowed during Induction Phase: Psyllium husks, Flax seed/flax seed meal, and Wheat Bran.
All of these fibers are laxatives. Specificially, they are "bulk forming" laxatives. They are called that because in order to "get things moving", they absorb water from your gut. That causes them to swell. Your body senses a mass or "bulk" in your gut and will move it out. Therefore, these fibers require water to work. If you don't get enough water, then these fibers might do the opposite and "plug things up" even more.
Psyllium husks
Brand names (US): Metamucil, Konsyl, etc.
For relieving constipation, Dr. Atkins called psyllium husks "My preference" in Chapter 23.
Flax seed/ Flax seed meal
Also known as linseed or linseed meal in the UK.
There are various brands of flaxmeal/ flaxseed. Please note that flax contains carbs. Bob's RedMill is a popular brand in the US. Due to the virtually non-existent carbohydrate labeling laws in the US, manufacturers may "round up" numbers. So Bob's RedMill Flax in the US appears to have 0 net carbs---4 total carbs, 4 fiber grams. A few years ago, a Canadian ADBBer shared with us the Canadian Bob's RedMill flax label. Canada has much stricter carb labeling laws, so the Canadian Bob's had a net carb of about 1 per serving listed on the package.
Wheat Bran
Please do not confuse this with Wheat GERM. They are two different products. There are various brands of Wheat Bran and Wheat Bran does contain carbohydrates. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to wheat, you should avoid this product.
For daily fiber supplementation
Chapter 8: "I recommend that you take one tablespoon of psyllium husks daily. Be sure to select a sugar-free product. You can also take one tablespoon of coarse wheat bran or flaxseed meal."
For relief of constipation
Chapter 11: "If you are constipated, mix a tablespoon or more of psyllium husks in a cup or more of water and drink daily. Or mix ground flaxseed into a shake or sprinkle wheat bran on a salad or vegetables."
So there is a limit set forth in the book. Again, if you use the flax as a food, then the On-Going Weight Loss phase is the appropriate phase to do that. During Induction it's only used as a fiber supplement or as a constipation reliever in the amounts specified in the book.
Types of Fiber Supplements Allowed during Induction
As mentioned in the above, there are 3 fiber supplements allowed during Induction Phase: Psyllium husks, Flax seed/flax seed meal, and Wheat Bran.
All of these fibers are laxatives. Specificially, they are "bulk forming" laxatives. They are called that because in order to "get things moving", they absorb water from your gut. That causes them to swell. Your body senses a mass or "bulk" in your gut and will move it out. Therefore, these fibers require water to work. If you don't get enough water, then these fibers might do the opposite and "plug things up" even more.
Psyllium husks
Brand names (US): Metamucil, Konsyl, etc.
For relieving constipation, Dr. Atkins called psyllium husks "My preference" in Chapter 23.
Flax seed/ Flax seed meal
Also known as linseed or linseed meal in the UK.
There are various brands of flaxmeal/ flaxseed. Please note that flax contains carbs. Bob's RedMill is a popular brand in the US. Due to the virtually non-existent carbohydrate labeling laws in the US, manufacturers may "round up" numbers. So Bob's RedMill Flax in the US appears to have 0 net carbs---4 total carbs, 4 fiber grams. A few years ago, a Canadian ADBBer shared with us the Canadian Bob's RedMill flax label. Canada has much stricter carb labeling laws, so the Canadian Bob's had a net carb of about 1 per serving listed on the package.
Wheat Bran
Please do not confuse this with Wheat GERM. They are two different products. There are various brands of Wheat Bran and Wheat Bran does contain carbohydrates. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to wheat, you should avoid this product.