Chicory root sucks

[Fritzo]

You'll notice all of those fiber bars, fiber cereal, cheap protein bars, and other fake health foods are loaded with chicory root. I had a lot of problems over the last few years with intestinal cramping (to the point I thought I had Crohn's disease), when I came upon an article about this additive. It's contains high levels of inulin- a naturally occurring insoluble fiber, and since chicory is cheap and abundant, it's shoved into foods to add fiber.

The problem is the inulin content can be too concentrated- you're eating a big ball of fiber all at once instead of it being spaced out and diluted with other foods/liquids. The result is that some people (like myself) can easily OD on the stuff, resulting in severe cramping and pain.

I used to eat one of those Fiber One bars, or a similar protein bar, for breakfast a few times a week and at times would be doubled over by lunch. Knocked out the bars and switched natural fiber/protein foods and BOOM- problem is fixed.

Just a note for people having similar reactions (according to webMD it affects about 30% of people)...lay off the chicory root!

 

[vi edit]

I used to call Fiber One Bars "Weapons of Ass Destruction". The cramping and gas I got from them was horrible. I always assumed it was the chicory root.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I remember when someone brought some of those to the office. Three people left that day

 

[Markbnj]

My first rule on food rules is: I don't listen to anyone who is proposing a new food rule. My second rule on food rules is: no matter what they say, it's all better for you than gruel and lard.

 

[dank69]

I can eat those fart bars without any ill effects but my wife can't handle them.

 

[esquared]

I can eat those fart bars without any ill effects but my wife can't handle them.

Hah. I just came in to post about these being fart bars. Beat me to it.

 

[Murloc]

that thing doesn't sound too healthy anyway. I prefer eating real food.

 

[PowerYoga]

not sure why you'd eat something where the primary ingredient is chicory root instead of some real food.

 

[lxskllr]

not sure why you'd eat something where the primary ingredient is chicory root instead of some real food.

Chicory's real food. It's been used forever as both food, and medicine. I've wanted to experiment with it, and see what I can make. The stuff grows everywhere, so it's a good source of free food.

 

[vi edit]

Chicory's real food. It's been used forever as both food, and medicine. I've wanted to experiment with it, and see what I can make. The stuff grows everywhere, so it's a good source of free food.

It's a very common coffee alternative or additive in the middle east. Coworker of mine went to Isreal and almost every coffee over there had chicory added to it.

The root is bit different animal than the leaves. The root is the one that has the medicinal purposes I think. They use it to kill worms and stuff in the GI tracts of animals.

 

[Fritzo]

Chicory's real food. It's been used forever as both food, and medicine. I've wanted to experiment with it, and see what I can make. The stuff grows everywhere, so it's a good source of free food.

Exactly. It's actually a rather nice looking root vegetable:

It's even used as a coffee additive I understand. Completely edible and natural, but its use in fiber bars concentrates it too much, causing bad results for some people.

 

[SunnyD]

Wow, those bars (based on your pic) are totally crap for you just by the ingredients list. (No pun intended)

You're better off eating a #2 pencil if you want fiber.

 

[Sluggo]

It's a very common coffee alternative or additive in the middle east. Coworker of mine went to Isreal and almost every coffee over there had chicory added to it.

The root is bit different animal than the leaves. The root is the one that has the medicinal purposes I think. They use it to kill worms and stuff in the GI tracts of animals.

Before I quit coffee I used to put chicory in mine, good stuff.

Amazon sells it by the bag from Community Coffee, so you can adjust the amount thats in there.

 

[BladeVenom]

Wow, those bars (based on your pic) are totally crap for you just by the ingredients list. (No pun intended)

"sugar, palm oil (high in saturated fat)," salt listed three times, might as well just eat junk food.

A little Chicory root in your coffee is good.

 

[lupi]

Chicory root extract, recall that being discussed at work before, something about what it does to you after eating.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Coffee with Chicory is awesome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_du_Monde


I realize it causes some rather expedient necessity of bathrooms, however, it is quite a delicious drink.

Can't wait to visit New Orleans again

 

[GoPackGo]

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/colon-blow/n9822/

 

[Paratus]

Just stopped buying FiberOne stuff too. It all has chicory root in it and my god does it cause gas.

 

[MustISO]

That's our food industry in this country. Put as much cheap crap as you can into something that sounds healthy and charge a lot for it. It's simple to put natural soluble fiber into foods but it's cheaper and easier to do it with crap ingredients.

Packaged food industry is about the most deceptive industry I can think of.

 

[MetalMat]

Coffee with Chicory is awesome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_du_Monde


I realize it causes some rather expedient necessity of bathrooms, however, it is quite a delicious drink.

Can't wait to visit New Orleans again

I used to drink chicory coffee all the time but I drink regular now. I would recommend any coffee lovers to try it, people tend to either love it or hate it first sip.

 

[xSauronx]

i make some fantastic chicory/coffee ice cream, and put chicory in my coffee now and again. dont hate. /the ice cream is magnificient

 

[Taja]

Meh, usually when they tell you a food is healthy for you they're really saying you're going to be in pain for a little while. That being said, I love those fiber cereals because they taste good and don't leave me feeling stuck in a sugar haze for a few hours.