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Benefiber is a flavorless fiber supplement made with wheat dextrin that can be mixed into foods and beverages. Although Benefiber is not specifically an appetite suppressant, one of the benefits of adding it to your diet is that it may help reduce your appetite. Two teaspoons of Benefiber powder contain 3 g of soluble fiber, which slows digestion.
Fiber
Fiber has bulk that helps you feel full, although it contains no calories. Fiber does not digest but instead stays mostly intact and passes through your body while absorbing water. This process occurs slowly, which can help you feel full for long periods of time and reduce your appetite. Fiber can help you lose weight, especially if the rest of your diet is well-balanced.
Using Benefiber
To add Benefiber to your diet, try mixing it into any hot or cold beverage, such as water, juice or coffee. You can also mix it into applesauce, yogurt or pudding. Benefiber will not change the composition or texture of the food or drink it is mixed into, according to its manufacturer. Benefiber is also available in tablets and chewable caplets.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com states that fiber can help you to have regular bowel movements, control blood sugar levels and help to lower your cholesterol. Fiber may also reduce your risk of colon cancer, stroke, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease. In addition to controlling your appetite, foods that naturally contain fiber typically require a longer chewing time, which can help you consume fewer calories. Try eating a diet rich in fiber and including foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and bran so that you can get the benefits of vitamins and nutrients in your diet instead of relying on fiber supplements.
Warnings
If you are taking a fiber supplement such as Benefiber, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of liquid a day to compensate for the water that fiber draws from your intestines. Add fiber to your diet slowly to prevent side effects like bloating, gas and constipation.
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References
Writer Bio
Rose Welton is a journalism major and a freelance writer. Her education is focused on nutrition and early childhood studies, making her an expert when it comes to writing about health and children's growth and development. She has written numerous articles and blog posts on various topics for online publications and has also worked on an Internet news team.
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