Best Fiber Supplement?

[Justin]

I need more fiber in my diet. We'll just say the narcotics are causing some issues here and there.

Does anyone use a powder fiber supplement?

I usually have enough daily fiber based on my diet alone, but all of my pain meds having decreased my appetite significantly over the last month. I specified powder because capsules are the least effective.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Katie]

Well, I tried the granules when I last had surgery and they worked OK, but I find that dried apricots or prunes work as well or better. Prunes aren't quite as tasty, but they do work. My mother swore by prune juice, but I haven't tried that....yet

Costco sells big bags of dried apricots, and I used them with great success a couple of weeks ago. They are nice and chewy too, so gives me something to work on, to take my frustrations out on.

I feel the same about the narcotics...literally

[treefrog]

I have been using Benefiber, and I do think it helps some, although I don't have as much of a problem with constipation with the Opana-ER than with other meds.

But just a couple of days ago I realized I had been using 2 Tb every morning in my coffee, when the dosage is supposed to be 2 tsp, with a max of 6 tsp/day. Now, I didn't usually have more than that one dose a day, but there have been times when I have, which means I was definitely getting more than the recommended daily on those days. Whoops.

2 tsp sure does dissolve a lot easier than 2 Tb though.

[Justin]

Katie, I understand about the prunes. I found dried pears at the Trader Joe's and they are awesome with 13 grams of fiber per serving. However, I inhale each bag I get and it only has about 4 servings so that $3.69 a pop would get expensive quite fast. They are so yummy though.

Cathy, that is too funny! I've heard good things about Benefiber...I'll have to look into it.

[Nairek]

I tried the powdered fiber supplement & it was just yuck! It was like drinking sand with all of the grit.

I also used the Metamucil wafers. They weren't bad. They don't offer a whole lot of fiber per serving but I would have them as a snack a few times per day. They didn't taste that bad either.

They are a little on the pricey side but it seems that anything that is good for you is pricey.

Karin

[treefrog]

Benefiber isn't gritty at all. It completely dissolves, even 2Tb (though it did take longer to go into solution). The only thing I noticed with it is, if you just put it into plain water, it makes the water taste a little soapy. It isn't bad, and I have gotten used to it, though I usually try to drink it all quickly and them drink some fresh water. But, in my coffee, I don't notice it at all. I'm sure in other flavored drinks it wouldn't be noticeable either.

[rheller]

Have you ever tried Flax seed? You can buy the oil but you can also get it ground up and mix it with something. I haven't tried the ground up stuff, but I have heard it's kind of nasty. I stuck with the oil pills and they helped. It can also help lower your cholesterol - added bonus!

[treefrog]

I have used flax seed quite extensively. If you just try to add it to water or something it will definitely be nasty. But the whole seeds, not ground can be added to things like salads, or yogurt. It has a sort of nutty taste. Or you can add them to baked goods, whole or ground.

But, if they are ground, they need to be kept cold or they will become rancid. They can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer.

The same goes for the oil, it will become rancid if not kept refrigerated. And don't cook with the oil.

[Katie]

Are any of the powdered supplements gluten free? I have a big problem now with any grains...they can send me into emergency if I inhale the dust from wheat straw, and I feel dreadful if I eat anything with regular grains, etc. Ciliac disease would account for most of that, but I haven't been positively diagnosed yet, just stay away from any of it and it is working well. (Thanks Justin )

Would there be any problem in bringing dried fruit across the border to NY, like the apricots and prunes? I know that fresh fruit is a no-no, but dried should be OK, I hope? It would save running around in a strange place trying to find a good source. I guess Costco would do though.

I haven't found anything better than that for the constipation, and I sure hope it helps with the serious stuff after surgery. I'm watching this thread for other ideas though, too.

[treefrog]

I have found oatmeal to be very beneficial for constipation. I don't know how that affects you Katie. If it's truly a gluten sensitivity, and not wheat in particular, then you probably couldn't do oats either.

But, oatmeal in the morning, followed by my coffee with Benefiber will put me in the bathroom in short order. When I have some other breakfast, followed by my coffee with Benefiber, it doesn't have the same effect. So, I know I can contribute it to the oatmeal.

I make steel cut oats, prepare it in advance. Then in the morning, I mix up an egg, then add the oatmeal and heat it in the microwave. Adding some milk, a sugar-free vanilla flavor syrup (DaVinci's - made with sucralose/Splenda), and cinnamon. That way I have some protein with it too, which I think is very important.

I'm not sure if there are any fiber supplements that are gluten free. You might be able to find that information if you do a search on the internet. I know there must be websites devoted to gluten allergies.