Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't taste gritty?

[Guest guest]

To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber

supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a

healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't go near

the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of). Does

anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc... except that its

healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and pears - she

won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally). I've seen those gummy

bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the ingredients.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Thanks again,

 

Barb

[Guest guest]

Vitamin C crystals work awesome. I take them every day for that very problem. --- On Sun, 4/5/09, Barb <FirstYrs08 wrote:

Barb <FirstYrs08[RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't taste gritty? Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 6:00 PM

 

 

To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't go near the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of). Does anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc... except that its healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and pears - she won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally) . I've seen those gummy bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the ingredients. Any help would be greatly appreciated! !!Thanks again,Barb

[Guest guest]

Barb, I would like to pass along something that may help. I have been studying nutrition for almost 2 years now, and symptoms commonly seen in the clinic like your daughter's generally indicate that there is a food allergy/intollerance at play, since it is a chronic problem, not a short-term, situational one. Are there any allergies in the family? Anyone have similar symptoms? Gluten and Dairy are especially problematic. If a food is suspected, remove it for 6 full weeks, reintroduce slowly and take note at what develops. I would recommend doing some internet research too. All in all, easier said than done, but it may help confirm it is diet

related. Better to treat the root of a problem, and not the symptom,

right?-Make sure she is getting enough water. -If she has taken antibiotics at all in the last 4 years, give probiotics to replace the gut bacteria.-Magnesium. Supplementing may help relieve some of the problem. Too big of dose will cause diarrhea. Bathe child in Epsom salts (magnesium salts) to help with constipation.-Short term help, yummy smoothie with psyllium husk in the blender.Hope that helps somewhat,TonyBarb <FirstYrs08 Sent: Sunday, April 5, 2009 6:00:28 PM[RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't taste gritty?

 

To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't go near the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of). Does anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc... except that its healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and pears - she won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally) . I've seen those gummy bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the ingredients. Any help would be greatly appreciated! !!

 

Thanks again,

 

Barb

[Guest guest]

Very insightful! She actually does have a food allergy - she is lactose

intollerant so we have her on lactose free milk. However, I've never put her on

a gluten free diet to see if that is also causing problems. We are good in the

other areas though - she gets plenty of water, eats veggies/fruits, and gets

probiotics regularly.

 

I haven't pursued investigating gluten yet just because I need to research

exactly what it is - I'll try that next! I never thought about magnesium though

so I'll have to research that too....

 

Thanks,

 

Barb

 

, Anthony Koskovich <tony_kosko

wrote:

>

> Barb,

>

> I would like to pass along something that may help. I have been studying

nutrition for almost 2 years now, and symptoms commonly seen in the clinic like

your daughter's generally indicate that there is a food allergy/intollerance at

play, since it is a chronic problem, not a short-term, situational one. Are

there any allergies in the family? Anyone have similar symptoms? Gluten and

Dairy are especially problematic. If a food is suspected, remove it for 6 full

weeks, reintroduce slowly and take note at what develops. I would recommend

doing some internet research too. All in all, easier said than done, but it may

help confirm it is diet

> related. Better to treat the root of a problem, and not the symptom,

> right?

>

> -Make sure she is getting enough water.

>

> -If she has taken antibiotics at all in the last 4 years, give probiotics to

replace the gut bacteria.

>

> -Magnesium. Supplementing may help relieve some of the problem. Too big of

dose will cause diarrhea. Bathe child in Epsom salts (magnesium salts) to help

with constipation.

>

> -Short term help, yummy smoothie with psyllium husk in the blender.

>

> Hope that helps somewhat,

>

> >

________________________________

> Barb <FirstYrs08

>

> Sunday, April 5, 2009 6:00:28 PM

> [RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't

taste gritty?

>

>

> To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber

supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a

healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't go near

the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of). Does

anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc... except that its

healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and pears - she

won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally) . I've seen those gummy

bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the ingredients.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! !!

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

 

I agree with the previous post except I've always been told to "binge"-eat a lot of the food when you reintroduce it. I'm afraid doing it gradually will "mask" the symptoms. That's what happened to me with soy, another common allergen.You have to really cut everyform out. It's hard with stuff like dairy, soy, eggs, corn, they're in everything. Psyillum also causes allergies problems in lots of people. I'd recommend og sprinkle fiber from Renew life or Fiber 35 (not og). They also have a children's chewable wafer. The ist two dissolve completely. I slip it into my older son's morning drink. You can also sprinkle it on food. Fruit has lots of fiber other good benefits. Consider fish or flax oil too.

 

<>

>Barb [FirstYrs08]

>4/6/2009 1:37:21 AM

>

>Re: [RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't

>taste gritty?

>

>Very insightful! She actually does have a food allergy - she is lactose

>intollerant so we have her on lactose free milk. However, I've never put her on

>a gluten free diet to see if that is also causing problems. We are good in the

>other areas though - she gets plenty of water, eats veggies/fruits, and gets

>probiotics regularly.

>

>I haven't pursued investigating gluten yet just because I need to research

>exactly what it is - I'll try that next! I never thought about magnesium though

>so I'll have to research that too....

>

>Thanks,

>

>Barb

>

> , Anthony Koskovich <tony_kosko wrote:

>>

>> Barb,

>>

>> I would like to pass along something that may help. I have been studying

>nutrition for almost 2 years now, and symptoms commonly seen in the clinic like

>your daughter's generally indicate that there is a food allergy/intollerance at

>play, since it is a chronic problem, not a short-term, situational one. Are

>there any allergies in the family? Anyone have similar symptoms? Gluten and

>Dairy are especially problematic. If a food is suspected, remove it for 6 full

>weeks, reintroduce slowly and take note at what develops. I would recommend

>doing some internet research too. All in all, easier said than done, but it may

>help confirm it is diet

>> related. Better to treat the root of a problem, and not the symptom,

>> right?

>>

>> -Make sure she is getting enough water.

>>

>> -If she has taken antibiotics at all in the last 4 years, give probiotics to

>replace the gut bacteria.

>>

>> -Magnesium. Supplementing may help relieve some of the problem. Too big of

>dose will cause diarrhea. Bathe child in Epsom salts (magnesium salts) to help

>with constipation.

>>

>> -Short term help, yummy smoothie with psyllium husk in the blender.

>>

>> Hope that helps somewhat,

>>

>> >>

>________________________________

>> Barb <FirstYrs08

>>

>> Sunday, April 5, 2009 6:00:28 PM

>> [RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that doesn't

>taste gritty?

>>

>>

>> To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber

>supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a

>healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't go near

>the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of). Does

>anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc.... except that its

>healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and pears - she

>won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally) . I've seen those gummy

>bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the ingredients. Any

>help would be greatly appreciated! !!

>>

>> Thanks again,

>>

>> Barb

>>

>

>

>

>Messages in this topic (4) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

>Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar

>The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary

>may speak.

>— Hans Hofmann

>

>

>

>=== message truncated ===

http://toolbar.Care2.com Make your computer carbon-neutral (free).http://www.Care2.com Green Living, Human Rights and more - 8 million members!

[Guest guest]

Inulin is a soluble fiber supplement. It's manufactured primarily from jerusalem

artichokes, but inulin is a natural soluble fiber found in fruits and

vegetables. I find that it has a natural sweetness to it. As a soluble fiber, it

helps hold fluid in the poo, rather than " bulk up " poo like an insoluble fiber

like psyllium husks.

 

You can also cook and bake with it. Proctor & Gamble sells it as FiberSure, but

I was able to get it much cheaper at Trader Joes as just " Inulin " when I lived

in a city where that was an option. So do some shopping around.

 

Be aware. As an undigestible fiber, it can cause gas and bloating as your body

gets used to it. Start with small " doses " as you discover your reaction with

this sort of starch.

 

Hope this helps,

Dineen

 

, " Barb " <FirstYrs08 wrote:

>

> To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber

supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a

healthy alternative! ...

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

Is Renew Health all natural? (I haven't heard of it before)

 

We give her flax seed mixed in her organic peanut butter and fish oil

supplements & she still has issues.

 

Thanks for the tips on " binging " with the food bc I would not have thought to do

it!

 

, " Lara Brown " <larabrown wrote:

>

> Barb,

>

> I agree with the previous post except I've always been told to

> " binge " -eat a lot of the food when you reintroduce it. I'm afraid doing

> it gradually will " mask " the symptoms. That's what happened to me with

> soy, another common allergen.You have to really cut everyform out. It's

> hard with stuff like dairy, soy, eggs, corn, they're in everything.

> Psyillum also causes allergies & problems in lots of people. I'd

> recommend og sprinkle fiber from Renew life or Fiber 35 (not og). They

> also have a children's chewable wafer. The ist two dissolve completely.

> I slip it into my older son's morning drink. You can also sprinkle it on

> food. Fruit has lots of fiber & other good benefits. Consider fish or

> flax oil too.

>

> <>

> >Barb [FirstYrs08]

> >4/6/2009 1:37:21 AM

> >

> >Re: [RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement

> that doesn't

> >taste gritty?

> >

> >Very insightful! She actually does have a food allergy - she is lactose

> >intollerant so we have her on lactose free milk. However, I've never

> put her on

> >a gluten free diet to see if that is also causing problems. We are good

> in the

> >other areas though - she gets plenty of water, eats veggies/fruits, and

> gets

> >probiotics regularly.

> >

> >I haven't pursued investigating gluten yet just because I need to

> research

> >exactly what it is - I'll try that next! I never thought about

> magnesium though

> >so I'll have to research that too....

> >

> >Thanks,

> >

> >Barb

> >

> > , Anthony Koskovich

> <tony_kosko@> wrote:

> >>

> >> Barb,

> >>

> >> I would like to pass along something that may help. I have been

> studying

> >nutrition for almost 2 years now, and symptoms commonly seen in the

> clinic like

> >your daughter's generally indicate that there is a food

> allergy/intollerance at

> >play, since it is a chronic problem, not a short-term, situational one.

> Are

> >there any allergies in the family? Anyone have similar symptoms? Gluten

> and

> >Dairy are especially problematic. If a food is suspected, remove it for

> 6 full

> >weeks, reintroduce slowly and take note at what develops. I would

> recommend

> >doing some internet research too. All in all, easier said than done,

> but it may

> >help confirm it is diet

> >> related. Better to treat the root of a problem, and not the symptom,

> >> right?

> >>

> >> -Make sure she is getting enough water.

> >>

> >> -If she has taken antibiotics at all in the last 4 years, give

> probiotics to

> >replace the gut bacteria.

> >>

> >> -Magnesium. Supplementing may help relieve some of the problem. Too

> big of

> >dose will cause diarrhea. Bathe child in Epsom salts (magnesium salts)

> to help

> >with constipation.

> >>

> >> -Short term help, yummy smoothie with psyllium husk in the blender.

> >>

> >> Hope that helps somewhat,

> >>

> >> > >>

> >________________________________

> >> Barb <FirstYrs08@>

> >>

> >> Sunday, April 5, 2009 6:00:28 PM

> >> [RFSL] Can anyone recommend a healthy fiber supplement that

> doesn't

> >taste gritty?

> >>

> >>

> >> To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription

> fiber

> >supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot

> find a

> >healthy alternative! I am a big fan of organic psyllium but she won't

> go near

> >the stuff (I've tried to mix in everything I could possibly think of).

> Does

> >anyone know of something similar to Citracil, Metamucil, etc.... except

> that its

> >healthy/natural? (and we've also tried the prunes, prune juice, and

> pears - she

> >won't touch prunes anymore and pears only occasionally) . I've seen

> those gummy

> >bear fiber supplement chews for kids but am not happy about the

> ingredients. Any

> >help would be greatly appreciated! !!

> >>

> >> Thanks again,

> >>

> >> Barb

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >Messages in this topic (4) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

> >Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar

> >The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the

> necessary

> >may speak.

> >- Hans Hofmann

> >

> >

> >

> >=== message truncated ===

>

>

> <br><br><a href= " http://toolbar.Care2.com " >http://toolbar.Care2.com</a> Make

your computer carbon-neutral (free).<br></br><a

href= " http://www.Care2.com " >http://www.Care2.com</a> Green Living, Human Rights

and more - 8 million members!

>

[Guest guest]

How interesting! I just found this article on inulin! Now, I just need to find

where to buy it - LOL! (we don't have a Trader Joes around here)....

 

Feeding the Bacteria in Your Gut

 

By Laura Johannes

The Wall Street Journal

31 Mar 2009

 

We've all heard of healthy bacteria called probiotics, commonly found in yogurts

and dietary supplements. A new wave of products now include prebiotics, dietary

ingredients intended either to help increase levels of good bacteria naturally

found in the body, or to be used in combination with probiotics to improve their

efficacy. Scientists say prebiotics do increase levels of good bacteria in the

gut, and some research has linked their consumption to health benefits.

 

Think of it as feeding the good bacteria in your body. Food companies are

increasingly claiming health benefits for foods containing prebiotics. So far,

all the well-established prebiotics are fibers, such as inulin, extracted from

chicory roots. They work by providing a food source in the colon that is

particularly attractive to healthy bacteria, causing them to grow and squeeze

out unhealthy bacteria.

 

" A prebiotic is to your colon what grass food is to your lawn. It feeds the

grass, but not the weeds, " says University of Nebraska microbiologist Bob

Hutkins.

 

Prebiotics are being added to beverages, cottage cheese, breakfast cereals,

yogurts, kefirs, breads and even chocolate sauce. While more common in Europe,

products making prebiotic health claims are beginning to take root in the U.S.

General Mills Inc.'s Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt, introduced in 2007, includes both a

probiotic and a prebiotic fiber, which the company says together promote

digestive health. Nestle SA last month launched Juicy Juice Immunity, a kid's

fruit drink with prebiotic fiber that the company says helps promote good

digestion and a healthy immune system. Other health claims being made in the

U.S. for prebiotic-containing products include enhanced absorption of calcium

and better bone health.

 

Many scientific studies have shown that prebiotics increase levels of healthy

gut bacteria, particularly bifidobacteria. In terms of health benefits, results

are largely preliminary, but suggest a wide range of possible health benefits --

including improved immune function, digestive health and bone health.

 

For example, in a National Institutes of Health-funded study of 100 adolescents,

a group given eight grams a day of a prebiotic fiber absorbed dietary calcium

more efficiently than those given a placebo, and saw significantly higher

bone-mineral density levels after one year. The fiber, sold by Sudzucker Group's

Beneo-Orafti unit, is found in Dallas-based Dean Foods Co.'s Friendship

" Digestive Health " cottage cheese, recently launched on the East Coast.

 

A weakness in the evidence so far is that while prebiotic ingredients are being

tested in good scientific studies, the final processed foods -- which may react

differently in the digestive tract -- often aren't being tested, scientists say.

For example, Nestle says the ingredient in Juicy Juice Immunity has been shown

to increase bacteria known to enhance digestive health and immune function, but

the juice itself hasn't been tested directly. A liquid test product containing

the ingredients in Yo-Plus has been shown in a scientific study to decrease

transit time of waste through the gut, but so far there's no similar published

work on the yogurt.

 

The nonprofit International Scientific Association for Probiotics and

Prebiotics, a Davis, Calif.-based scientific association that receives industry

funding, recommends a daily dose of five to eight grams of prebiotic fibers. In

nature, prebiotics are found in leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic,

onions, wheat and oats.

 

In packaged foods, look for labels that list fibers known to be effective as

prebiotics, says Glenn R. Gibson, vice president of the scientific group. Those

include inulin and two other fibers known as fructo-oligosaccharide, or FOS for

short, and galacto-oligosaccharide, or GOS for short. Other better-known fibers

-- such as cellulose and pectin -- are part of a healthy diet, but provide food

for a wide spectrum of bacteria, not just the good kind, he adds. Fiber can

cause gas, so it's a good idea to work up to the recommended daily dose

gradually.

 

, " Dineen " <dineen.ford wrote:

>

> Inulin is a soluble fiber supplement. It's manufactured primarily from

jerusalem artichokes, but inulin is a natural soluble fiber found in fruits and

vegetables. I find that it has a natural sweetness to it. As a soluble fiber, it

helps hold fluid in the poo, rather than " bulk up " poo like an insoluble fiber

like psyllium husks.

>

> You can also cook and bake with it. Proctor & Gamble sells it as FiberSure,

but I was able to get it much cheaper at Trader Joes as just " Inulin " when I

lived in a city where that was an option. So do some shopping around.

>

> Be aware. As an undigestible fiber, it can cause gas and bloating as your body

gets used to it. Start with small " doses " as you discover your reaction with

this sort of starch.

>

> Hope this helps,

> Dineen

>

> , " Barb " <FirstYrs08@> wrote:

> >

> > To be blunt, my 4 yr old has #2 issues and has been on a prescription fiber

supplement for over a year. I need to wean her off of it but cannot find a

healthy alternative! ...

> >

> > Barb

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this article, Barb. The stuff about increased mineral absorbtion with

inulin and other preboitics was new to me.

 

I also need to find a new source for inulin. Our last jar will be out soon and

I'd hate to pay brand-name price for P & G. We don't have Trader Joe's or Whole

Foods near us in our small rural town.

 

Dineen

 

, " Barb " <FirstYrs08 wrote:

>

> How interesting! I just found this article on inulin! Now, I just need to

find where to buy it - LOL! (we don't have a Trader Joes around here)....

>

> Feeding the Bacteria in Your Gut

>

> By Laura Johannes

> The Wall Street Journal

> 31 Mar 2009

>