Benefiber's original formula provides a flavorless, sugar-free fiber supplement. Most Americans consume only 15 grams of fiber per day, though children and adults should consume at least 20 grams of fiber daily from food, not supplements, the Harvard School of Public Health reports. The idea behind using fiber supplements for weight loss is that fiber helps to reduce your appetite by helping you feel full with less food. Consult your doctor before attempting to lose weight with Benefiber.
Significance
Dietary fiber promotes intestinal health and assists in regularity. People whose diets are insufficient in fiber will experience more efficient elimination of wastes from using Benefiber, due to the laxative effect of supplemental fiber. For weight loss, taking Benefiber before meals may help you to feel full sooner and consume fewer calories. The maximum daily dose is three serving of 2 teaspoons each, for a total of 9 grams of supplemental fiber per day. (See References 2)
Considerations
Eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains will boost your fiber intake, provide essential nutrients, help to curb your appetite and support healthy weight loss. Increasing your dietary fiber -- fiber from food, not supplements -- may help to protect you from heart disease and type-2 diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health's website. People who tend to overeat may not notice any reduction in appetite from the small amount of fiber in a serving of Benefiber.
Types
Benefiber comes in "Original," a flavorless powder, an orange-flavored powder, chewable tablets and caplets to swallow with water. Fruit-flavored Benefiber stick packs provide individual servings of fiber to add to a water bottle. Because fiber supplements can be damaged by moisture, these products should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment in low-humidity. The Benefiber website recommends storing the product at 68 to 77 degrees Farenheit. Benefiber has a shelf life of two years.
Features
Benefiber is sugar-free and dissolves fully in noncarbonated drinks and soft foods. It maintains its thin consistency and fiber content in cooking, without thickening the food. It's effective for giving a filling fiber boost to soups, sauces or main dishes. The tablets and capsules offer a convenient way to carry your fiber supplement with you when you're away from home. Plain Benefiber contains 100 percent fiber from wheat dextrin, the company's website says. Consuming more fiber has the potential to keep you feeling satisfied on a reduced-calorie diet.
Warning
Discuss Benefiber with your doctor if you're on any medications. Fiber supplements can interfere with absorption of vitamins. Take Benefiber separately from vitamin and mineral pills. Benefiber contains less than 20 ppm, or parts per million of gluten, according to the official Benefiber website. The website advises that people who can't tolerate gluten refrain from consuming Benefiber unless directed to by a doctor. Because Benefiber is derived from wheat, people allergic to wheat should avoid taking Benefiber.
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