Everyone’s always telling us to eat more flaxseed. It’s a great source of fiber, experts say. It’s also one of the best dietary staples for your weight loss goals, experts say. But flaxseed isn’t the only fiber out there with outstanding health benefits.
Ever heard of psyllium?
Found in most Metamucil products, psyllium is another source of fiber that helps with constipation while also having heart and cholesterol benefits.
Here is a comparison of flaxseed and psyllium as two fibers:
Flaxseed
The fiber found in flaxseed is soluble, which means it has the ability to absorb water. That’s why it’s good for preventing constipation and curing diarrhea. It’s been known to help manage blood sugar levels after meals – improving diabetic symptoms. One tablespoon of whole flaxseeds is about 3.0 grams of fiber.
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As for omega-3 fats, flaxseeds are a good source. This is helpful for heart health. However, flaxseed is pretty high in calories. One tablespoon of whole flaxseeds contains about 50 calories.
Most people consume flaxseeds by adding ground flaxseeds to a smoothie, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal and salads.
Psyllium
The fiber found in psyllium is also soluable. So, it’s good for regulating bowel movements, alleviating diarrhea and controlling glucose levels for diabetics. One tablespoon of psyllium husks contains about 3 grams of fiber – just like one tablespoon of whole flaxseeds.
READ: 5 Fiberlicious Smoothies & Drinks To Chill With
Unlike flaxseeds, psyllium doesn’t contain fat. That’s one of the major differences between the two sources of fiber.
As for nutritional value, psyllium has fewer calories than flaxseed. One tablespoon of psyllium only contains about 20 calories.
Psyllium is best consumed with water. When you first begin taking psyllium, experts recommend trying a small dose – about ½ tablespoon to 2 tablespoons at a time. Be sure to drink plenty of water with psyllium because it can get stuck in your throat without enough water.
Try these delicious smoothie recipes, too!
