Guar Gum

[Aunt Poppy]

Just found something interesting. Metamucil does not tend to agree with me, so I bought some Benefiber as it is made with Guar gum. When reading the ingredients on their website, it says it is gluten free even though it contains wheat dextrin (less than 10 ppm gluten). Can this not cause a problem with Celiac, and if so, what in the world can I take in the way of fiber that is absolutely gluten free (I also have post infectious IBS).

[Ursa Major]

The Metamucil may not agree with you because it is sweetened with Aspartame (they don't list it on the package, but my pharmacist called to ask, and he was angry when he found out!). Why don't you just try plain old psyllium husks?

But really, you should get all the fiber you need from fruits and vegetables. You don't need to replace the fiber you used to get from gluten grains, nobody needs those.

[loraleena]

You can take a guar gum supplement for fiber. There are lots of fiber powders at natural food stores that are ok.

[debmidge]

As a celiac who has the added health problem of not being able to digest fruits and vegetables my husband was annoyed at Novartis OTC for putting wheat in Benefiber then calling it gluten-free just because it meets some ruling...

Anyway, he uses generic brands of Benefiber made by CVS and Rite Aid but they are not as good in quality (yes, they have Guar Gum as the main ingredient with maltodextrin from corn).

We really wish Benefiber would take the wheat out...has anyone been using the new Benefiber formula?

Loraleena: Do you happen to know a name of a product I can get in health food store (guar gum) and what is the consistency when you mix it in water? Thanks. Deb.

[cathzozo]

I really like Psyllium Husks. But I take the capsules with a lot of water. I can't stand the consistency of any of the fiber supplements that you mix with water. I get them at any of my local health food store and usually buy the NOW brand which clearly lists no gluten.