Inulin as an Appetite Suppressant

[Bev-Ann]

There's been a lot of interest since I posted that Yacon Syrup had a profound appetite suppressant effect on me so I decided to start a new thread in the Vitamins and Supplements section.

Inulin as an Appetite Suppressant

[Charski]

Bev, I just ordered some - DH is very interested in the appetite suppression aspect - will let you know how it goes!

I am very interested in the "tastes like molasses" aspect!

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by Charski

I am very interested in the "tastes like molasses" aspect!

I think you'll be pleased with it. I made my Spicy Pulled Pork recipe and used 2 tbsp of yacon syrup to replace the sweetener I was using. The non-LC recipe calls for brown sugar so it turned out very well.
Let us know how it works out for your DH in the thread I started in the Vitamins and Supplements section. I think others there will be interested to get his opinion.

[Charski]

I most definitely will do that, Bev - he is currently taking Hoodia which works well for him but he's interested in the Yacon as a replacement. I found some online for $12.73 for 13 ounces...hope it's good!

[magnamater]

Check the Metemucil website, the clear stuff is inulin. . .don't remember the name of the product.

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by magnamater

Check the Metemucil website, the clear stuff is inulin. . .don't remember the name of the product.

It's called Fibersure. I'll have to look for it to see if it's cheaper than what I'm buying now. Thanks for the tip!

[theislandgirl]

Fiberrific is another hydrolyzed inulin product (such as FiberSure), but it's been around for several years; I've encountered it at Canadian health food shows. Of course the Metamucil product will have the big marketing machine of the Metamucil brand name behind it. Me, I'm going to do some cost comparisons. Hmmmmmm, like that they're saving money by using the same container (different label) as the Benefiber product, which is, BTW, hydrolyzed guar gum.

I've also bought bulk inulin locally (though haven't looked for it lately, suspect it was one of those products ahead of its time), and also Chicolin brand. These two are FOS/Inulin, but not partially/hydrolyzed, like the other two.

I believe the hydrolysis is to speed up the dissolving process. What else it does, I just don't know, but suspect it will change the characteristics, such as making them more "non-thickening", though the thickening from inulin, I've found, is pretty minimal. It's in cooking and baking, like polydextrose -- a first cousin -- that inulin might have some effect.

FYI, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inulin -- lots of good info.

Life is interesting.

[sherlynn9]

Thanks for that info, Jude. It is the FOS inulin that I'm interested in using. Should be getting my order tomorrow and then can see if it works as an appetite suppressant for me. Even if it doesn't, still like the other benefits of using it.

Sheryl

[Charski]

Boy, I was SURE I had posted this already - but I don't see it now....

In doing some web searching I found another one I'm gonna try called Fiber Choice - they have a SF version - it's a fruit flavored wafer, looks to be all inulin and a little flavoring. Suggested serving is 2 chewable wafers which is 4 grams of inulin fiber.

You can buy it online but they also say that Walgreen's carries it so if I get a chance I'm gonna dash over there at lunch time!

Char

[magnamater]

Wow, Char, I'm thinking one could carry a ziplock baggy of those Fiber Choice wafers. . .wouldn't that be handy--like 20 minutes before a meal!

I am adding healthy carbs back in, oats, more fruits, still low to moderate carbs. . .I haven't been hungry, but I don't want to go there!

[Charski]

That's what I'm thinking too, Mag, more for my DH than for me but hey, I'm gonna take some too - fiber is always a good thing! Besides, I'm thinking they might do what's left of my "sweet tooth" good when it asks for something after a meal.

I found some others online that were chocolate mint - now THAT sounds good too....

[mrsbones]

The sugar free Fiber Choice wafers are called "Fiber Choice Weight Management". The wafers are strawberry flavored, and they're not bad. This formula also contains chromium picolinate and EGCG (green tea extract). I found them in the pharmacy department at Wal-Mart next to the Metamucil and other fiber supplements.

Megan B.

[Charski]

The one I bought at lunchtime, after comparing all the labels, is called Fiber Choice Plus Calcium. I didn't need the extra chromium in the "Weight Loss" forumla since I already take this as a supplement.

The regular "sugarfree" ones have dextrose in them, so I put them both back (mixed fruit and orange) and I bought the Plus Calcium in Mixed Berries flavor.

Got back to work, opened the top and it had BEEN opened already and some missing! DOH! Didn't occur to me to CHECK THE STUPID LID FOR SEALING while in the store - so now I gotta take 'em back. At $15 for a bottle I don't want one that someone has already helped themselves to!

If DH likes them and they work for him, I'll order them online from now on.

Char

[scott123]

Char, you might want to be careful with those. Molecularly speaking, inulin is very similar to polyd. If polyd causes 'issues' for you, inulin probably will as well.

[Charski]

Thanks for the warning, Scott! I took two of them yesterday, one at work after lunch and one after dinner, and had no bad side effects!

I was NOT, however, interested in even a cup of tea after dinner.

DH is gonna try them today....

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by Charski

Thanks for the warning, Scott! I took two of them yesterday, one at work after lunch and one after dinner, and had no bad side effects!

I was NOT, however, interested in even a cup of tea after dinner.

DH is gonna try them today....

I'm so please that you had the same reaction I did!
How long did it last for you? Mine was pretty much all evening and still going when I went to bed.

[Bfranke]

I have Inulin. Wonder how much of this one would need to take to get the appetite suppressant result? Any idea? I have days that I could eat the house!! I think I will buy some of the Fiber Choice Plus Calcium tomorrow though, might just be handy to have around, with Christmas baking just around the corner.
Bette

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by Bfranke

I have Inulin. Wonder how much of this one would need to take to get the appetite suppressant result? Any idea? I have days that I could eat the house!! I think I will buy some of the Fiber Choice Plus Calcium tomorrow though, might just be handy to have around, with Christmas baking just around the corner.
Bette

1/2 a level tsp worked for me, which is about 2g. Try that mixed in a little water and wait about 1/2 an hour. If you don't notice anything, try another 1/2 tsp. But I wouldn't go higher than that in one dose. It is all fibre after all.
The wafers that Char used are equivalent to 1/2 tsp of inulin each since she said they were 4g in 2 wafers. If I needed to carry inulin around with me, those would definitely be the best way to do it. Just make sure you get the SF ones.

[Charski]

AND read the labels really carefully because SOME of the flavors (see above) that SAY "sugarfree" contain - gasp! - dextrose. WHY do they do that?!

Bev, I took one right after dinner last night which was about 6:15 - didn't go to bed til 10:30 and didn't want another thing all night.

Had one this morning with my coffee/cream and didn't even think about lunch until 12:15 - normally I'm chompin' at the bit by 11:15 - 11:30.

I'm gonna have another one here shortly maybe, although right now I am NOT hungry - so maybe I'll just save it. I had an Atkins Chocolate Royale shake for lunch and THOSE have 4 grams of fiber - I'd better not over-do it!

But if I get hungry between now and dinner I'll take another. Otherwise I'll wait until after dinner again.

Char

[Bfranke]

Thanks, I just took 1 tsp.....before reading this thread tonight. The last 2 nights I have wanted to graze right up till bedtime, so we will see.
Thanks,
Bette

[Charski]

So Bette, how'd it work for you?

[Bfranke]

I must need more!! I still felt munchy on the 1 tsp. I took more than that after lunch today, and feel a little better. Think before supper, will take 2 tsp, and see if it helps more tonight. I am going to get some of the wafers, as one can always use fiber.
Bette

[Nigel]

do you guys just eat less now or not at all, like skip a meal?

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by Nigel

do you guys just eat less now or not at all, like skip a meal?

For me, it doesn't directly affect my stomach to make me feel full, it seems to work on my brain to make me forget about or not want to eat food.
I'm not taking it to make me eat less during regular meals, I take it when I have cravings between meals or in the evening. I'm not hungry when I get the cravings, I just can't stop thinking about eating something I shouldn't, like chocolate (not the LC kind ). Within 30 minutes, the cravings stop so I won't eat whatever it was I was thinking about.

[Nigel]

so if I get some, maybe I won't have sugar cravings so much?

[Charski]

Originally Posted by Bev-Ann

For me, it doesn't directly affect my stomach to make me feel full, it seems to work on my brain to make me forget about or not want to eat food.

That's pretty much the way the Fiber Choice tablets make me feel - I was thinking about this earlier today - I don't feel "full" but I don't feel hungry either! Kinda weird!

But no, I'm not skipping meals. I eat breakfast, then at work I have a cup of decaf with cream and about 10 or so I'll have a fiber tab, then I don't usually think about food again til at least noon - had to remind myself to eat today at 12:15! I may or may not take another before dinner, but I will certainly take one after, as that is my "munchy" time of day. I've taken one after dinner the past two evenings and can't even talk myself into a cup of decaf with cream or tea, much less LC ice cream or nuts or any of my other "usual" snacks!

And if I didn't mention it before - my weight is 131.6 today - haven't seen THAT number in many many years!

[Nigel]

that is good, i hope they keep working, going to get me some and try them out
thank you

[Bev-Ann]

Originally Posted by Nigel

so if I get some, maybe I won't have sugar cravings so much?

Yes, that is exactly what it does for me. When I get a craving, I take some