Psyllium - anyone tried it?

[Applebelly]

In search of an easy fix, I looked up Psyllium husk. Looks promising, as it is mostly dietary fibre and it fills you up and is very low in calories. Before I spend between £5- £8 for 500 grams I wondered if anyone has tried it and if it helped or was a waste of money.

[EllaMidlands]

I have never heard of it so I googled it. I can see holland and Barrett sell it in capsules. I didn't really understand what it does although a different website says it fills you up so you might eat less. I find a lot of people eat even tho they aren't hungry but I guess it might help if you do have big appetite but are someone who listens to their body when full. I will follow your post and be interested to see if others have tried it.

[Applebelly in reply to EllaMidlands]

Hi Ella,

It's a coating from seeds. It absorbs lots of water, so I guess it's like drinking extra, but the effect probably lasts a bit longer. I was thinking that I could add it to soup to make it a bit more satisfying. It comes in powder or capsule form from health shops.

[EllaMidlands in reply to Applebelly]

It says it a natural way if helping to keep you regular which is useful for people. Interesting how many things things there around. In Boots today there were all sort of packets of stuff I had never heard of near the till.

[Applebelly in reply to EllaMidlands]

I know there is always someone waiting to make money from the gullible. Its just that my weight has been stuck for a month now and I could do with a bit of weight loss to encourage me.

[Applebelly]

No doubt you are right. Definitely not troubled that way with all the butternut squash, kale and celariac I'm eating.

[EllaMidlands]

I weigh a lot more than you so I haven't reached that slow down of weight loss yet so I am probsbly not best person. I would say not to give up tho, at least you aren't putting weight on. If you lose your mo-jo you will probably put weight on so it is worth being aware of it as you obviously are. Good luck

[Eh15 7lbs]

I have only heard of it as a laxative. It absorbs water into the bowel. It might have other properties though.

[Claz]

hi.. i did try this in capsule form when i did atkins a couple of years ago to get some fibre in me and help with constipation... i suppose it helped keep me regular but thats all i remember about it as on atkins i was never hungry anyway..

[Pineapple27]

It claimed to help with all sorts of things. I wouldn't be tempted to use it as a quick fix. It really is quite disgusting! Bit like eating sawdust.

However, it is a natural remedy for constipation or diarrhoea. I bought some to use for thickening, as I am trying not to eat wheat flour at present. You can use it to thicken stocks, stews, soups, etc.

Hubbie started taking some at the weekend, as he had painful (high up) constipation! He took a couple of spoonfuls, and has been doing so each day - lets just say, he's been visiting the loo a lot (9 times yesterday!) and his pains are subsiding.

He's had chronic constipation once before, so he recognised the pain and hopefully (touch wood) has sorted the problem early.

I've tried just a couple of spoonfuls this morning - not that I need to, but just to see what happens.... I'll report back!

[Applebelly in reply to Pineapple27]

I'm not completely wheat free because there are social situations where you just don't want to be the odd one out. However, I don't buy bread etc and if really does seem to be the thing that works for me. You just feel the need for some thickening agent as you say, to make soups and stews satisfying. If I have gnawing hunger pains, I just won't manage to stick to the diet. Do share how it affects you.

[Windswept1 in reply to Applebelly]

I have only ever used it as 'medication' to stay regular and it works. never thought of it as a 'filler'. If you are looking at a wheat free thickener, there is cornflour or potato unless you are low carb as well as wheat free