Being an avid Body For Lifer (well, okay, semi-avid right at the moment) has made me very conscientious of the foods I eat. One reason? To adhere to the BFL regimen requires 6 small daily meals. Each meal is supposed to feature a serving of protein and a serving of carbohydrate.
Given that my life is very busy with work and social obligations, nutritional bars have proven a convenient supplement to my daily ‘feedings’.
When the fine folks at General Mills offered to send me a sample box of their latest bar, the “Fiber One” chewy bar, I was intrigued. Sadly, for one reason only, I cannot recommend them.
Fiber One chewy bars feature the following benefits:
- 35% of daily fiber
- Good source of calcium
- No trans fat
- Good source of whole grain
Fiber has been noted as helping maintain regularity, which is especially appealing to an alcohol aficionado such as myself (regular alcohol consumption is notorious for impacting the digestive process).
In addition, recent studies point to a correlation between higher fiber intake and healthier body weight.
The “Oats & Chocolate” flavored bars sent my way were truly delicious. Sweet, chocolately with a great consistency not unlike that of a rice crispy treat, I could easily see myself enjoying a couple of these a day.
The calorie count is very reasonable (140) and the total carbohydrate is 29g, which would make it a shoe in for a ‘carb’ portion of any of my meals.
Sadly, a quick review of the ingredient list stopped me in my tracks.
Fiber One Chewy Bars contain the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup.
For this reason, I won’t continue to use them myself. However, if your diet is not HFCS adverse, these bars may prove a suitable way of incorporating more fiber into your daily meals.
Technorati Tags: nutritional bars, body for life, fiber, fiber and health, health, high fructose corn syrup, chocolate, new food products, exercise
115 Responses to “product review: fiber one chewy bars - oats & chocolate”
- 1 Pingback on Apr 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
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All set now. Thanks Ben!
Yeah, that’s crap. Thanks a lot general mills.
Why is your diet HFCS adverse? Would you prefer that the bars contain sugar?
There are no studies that suggest HFCS is any worse (or better) for you than sugar in any way. Just curious on your reasoning - I think a lot of people mistakenly demonize certain foods or ingredients based on rumors and half truths.
There’s actually plenty of scientific and medical research suggesting both obesity and diabetes links to High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Some companies are paying heed, check this out for instance.
Jones Soda is a soda company, not a medical research firm, so I’m not really impressed by their publicity-driven switch to pure cane sugar.
I know this is just one article, but according to the director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Food and Nutrition Policy:
“Other studies have questioned whether HFCS is somehow metabolized differently by the body than sugar. But Storey said HFCS chemically breaks down into the same simple sugars - glucose and fructose - as sugar. She acknowledged that no study has been done to conclusively show how the body metabolizes HFCS, but said that biochemically ‘there is no reason I can think of they would be different.’”
http://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2004/12.html
I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a study that conclusively determined that HFCS is more likely to cause obesity and diabetes than sugar (mostly because such a study doesn’t exist!).
The main reason such a ‘conclusive’ study doesn’t exist is that HFCS is still in its infancy.
One could liken these arguments to those for/against the dangers of tabacco. If you’d tried to suggest tabacco was harmful in the 1800’s, you’d likely find yourself run out of town by the sheriff, cigarette dangling from his mouth.
It doesn’t change the fact that it’s long term effects been proven deadly.
I guess my main point is there are in fact alternatives to HFCS laden ‘nutrition bars’ and as I have a choice, I will opt to avoid them.
What’s up with the first ingredient listed: chicory root extract, in the oats & peanut butter variety? I’ve never heard of that as a main ingredient except as a nutrititional supplement or as an herbal tea.
I agree with David–is this what gives it extra fiber?? Also, anyone having “stomach issues” after having a bar?
I had severe stomache issues after eating these granola bars. It was awful
you mean like major gas??!!!!
I had major gas with the Fiber One oats and peanut butter. I was searching the internet and found this site. I’m glad it’s not just me. I looked up chickery root extract. It is an inulin type of fiber and I think it must have caused the gas. The bars are delicious but I cannot eat anymore!
I get horrible gas and stomach cramps! I have tried to drink lots of water after but it doesnt seem to help. Atleast I know Im not the only one!
I would love to try these bars - how do I get General Mills to send me a box of them?
I’m grateful for these Fiber One bars. My daughter (9 yr old) was having mild chronic constipation due to low amounts of fiber in her diet. We tried lots of things but couldn’t find anything considered to be “high” in fiber that she would willingly eat. She likes dried prunes, but would have to eat a ton to get her daily fiber.
These bars have been wonderful. She loves them and in that one tiny little bar, she gets 2/3 of her daily fiber requirement. Much better than that powdered fiber junk that she viewed as medicine.
She began have one of these bars every day or two about 3 months ago and her digestion problems have disappeared!
We too have had tons of stomach trouble in our houselhold from these granola bards… Yes, the Nutrition information reads nicely, and as someone that has suffered IBS and a laxative addiction, I have to pay close attention to my fiber intake. Not worth it!!! The gas and stomach cramps are the WORST. My husband has a stomach that is make of iron and he is suffering as well.
Great tasting but the gas and stomach noises aren’t worth it.
This product needs to be pulled off the market or SERIOUSLY marked about the cause of gas and stomach cramps. I have suffered from IBS for years, and the side effects of this product are absolutely MISRABLE! Unfortunately, most people don’t read these type of sites until it is too late.
I’m SO glad we’re not the only ones that LOVE the taste and HATE the gas! The gas is awful! AWFUL! It’s unbearable! I don’t understand it. Why is it happening? I have been growing concerned over this gas to the point where I want to call GM. If anyone gets any reasons please post them! We just love them so much we can’t stop eating them! However, if I get “dutch-ovened” one more time post-Fiber One bar I’m going to die!
Thank goodness I found this site. Seriously, I thought I was eating rancid bars or that it was just me. I know this may be WAY too much information but it causes much more than just “gas” for me. I have many mad-dash sprints to the bathroom after eating these bars. Faith, I agree that I too want to call GM and inform them that their bars are a bit of a “health hazard”. They taste good but after buying just one box, I’ve realized I made a terrible, terrible mistake in purchasing them!
I am very grateful to have found this site…..I have always had some difficulty with gas and bloating but never like what I have recently experienced. I actually have a colonoscopy scheduled for next month because of the severe gas and bloating I have been experiencing over the past few months……but what I have noticed from starting a journal of what I eat and how much water I drink lately is that the days that I eat one of these bars are the days when I have the severe gas and those oh so embarassing stomach sounds from stifled flatulence which occurs anywhere from 4-7 hours after eating one bar. I work in a high pressure office environment so I was attributing all these pains to stress causing a condition (IBS, Spastic Colon, etc) to be that much more severe…so now that I am attributing all of my severe problems to these bars…..I may cancel my probe next month.
I promise that on days I don’t eat one of these bars - I just feel significantly better.
I have always eaten a fiber rich diet and have had absolutely no problem with these bars. They are a wonderful addition to my diet and satisify my sweet craving nicely. It sounds to me like this site is cluttered with too many people who are not used to eating fiber. Any fiber rich food will likely cause some gas, which is perfectly natural, and very controlable once your system gets used to eating properly.
I have been eating a fiber rich diet (25-30 grams) per day since January and my system has obviously not gotten used to it…..though only on the days when I eat these bars. I just found it to be quite coincidental.
I agree with Faith. I have never suffered from Gas problems until I started eating this product and the strange thing is that you cannot stop yourself from eating them. It may satisfy your craving for sweets but definitely not worth it. I am stopping cold turkey…no more bars!
The bars are very tasty and I never had a problem in the beginning when I first started eating them for a snack. My friend warned me of the stomach issues and ever since Monday I’ve been having major issues. I went home early from work yesterday because I felt so sick with major stomach issues. I ate “Tums” for the rest of the day. I threw the box out when I got home and feel a little better today. I’m disappointed because they were so tasty and I felt like I was eating a candy bar. I’ll have to try something else now!
Oh my….here I was trying to figure out what it was…and it was the bars. I kept a food diary and also noticed the major (and uncontrollable at times!!) gas problem. Problem solved…no more bars for me!!
I hear a choir of angels singing!!!! Man, the gas is awful! I had a bar late this afternoon and I swear I’ve been gassy ever since! I finally decided to look it up. I’m done with these bars for good! And here I thought I had some MAJOR issues!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I eat a diet fairly high in fiber including fruits, veges, whole grains, etc. and after having these bars I was also excited about the great taste, but in great agony in a Target bathroom a few hours later. My boyfriend suggested giving these bars to unsavory co-workers since they seem to work like laxatives.
I am always looking for healthy midday snacks with low fat and reasonable levels of sugar. I thought I hit the jackpot with the Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bar because they taste so good (much better than the peanut butter). I was eating several a day. Normally I have an iron stomach but then it hit, these bars had me in the bathroom nine times a day to relieve gas and cramping. As soon as I would leave the bathroom I’d feel another pocket of air explode in my stomach. I have five full boxes of these stairing at me from the pantry but I just cannot touch them anymore. Before the cramps began I turned my friend on to them only to find a scathing email the next day describing his cramps and the unatural amounts of air he was releasing. General Mills has GOT to fix this issue before I will spend another dime on them (too bad for them because I was buying five boxes a week).
Ok….I read though almost everyone’s post because i am actually interested in purchasing them. I live a crazy life (as do most of us) and a lot of times spend 9 hours a day in school so obviously…my fiber intake needs a little boost. I just wanted to say to Patrick that if you were buying 5 boxes a week that would mean that you were consuming 25 bars a week…if you add that to your regular diet then what do you expect. That would add up to more then enough fiber then you need a day since one bar has like 9 grams and you should only take up to 30 grams a day. If you have several of them a day what do you expect??? If people still have problems with one bar a day then maybe your body is not used to the massive fiber amounts….especially for people who do not have constipation problems!! I think it would be great for someone like me who actually have problems concerning that area. They are called FIBER ONE for a reason people!! Keep in mind that the regual granola bars one have like 1 to 2 grams of fiber so obviously they would not have the same effect on you!
I am having the same problem. I heard that when you increase your fiber intake you get gas, bloating, pains, etc. Well I have been diagnosed with IBS and I have had it since I was 15 years old and I have never experienced cramps, bloating, pain like I have since I have been eating these bars. I have one in the am and one in the pm. Today I am sitting at my desk almost doubled over because I have so much ‘trapped gas’ in my body it has moved into my upper digestive area making me feel like I am having a heart attack. I cannot take it, but I like them soooo much.
What should I do? I feel like I cannot sit here all day or I will be that lady that exploded in her desk. All that will remain will be the wrapper on the floor and my ashes on my chair.
new name for the “fiberone bars”…….”airforce one”………..no more for anyone at my house!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think it takes too many of these tasty, candy-bar-like creations to cause a real ‘commotion’ and ’stir’ (pun intended). I’m used to eating fiber. And yet I had just two of these GM peanut butter bars, one on Wed. and one on Friday. Oh my. I’m in a lot of pain this evening, so much so that I got out of bed to Google ‘chicory root extract’. Now, if we’re all being honest here, I’ll just tell you that I cannot control the gas, and the smell that’s coming out of me is… well, it’s unnatural for a decent woman to produce something of this sort. Thanks, GM, but in all fairness, you really should put a warning label on your product.
I agree with one of these comments that people don’t get to this website in time. It was too late for me and my friend! She actually had to leave work and almost lost her job because of these bars. We thought that we were dying of some horrible disease but it was just the bars. There should be some type of public service announcement about these things. I’m so glad that we can laugh about it now. Seriously some of these comments are so hysterical that I can’t stop laughing. Tell a friend…save them from embarressment. We’re sure glad we did.
Thank you for providing me not only with the answer I was looking for, but entertainment for the entire family. I started following Weight Watchers a couple of weeks ago, and have been eating one Fiber One bar a day (or so) and have had terminal gas about 4 hours after each bar. I don’t think it’s fair that a food item that is so low in points should be so socially fatal. However, the Fiber One bars are so tasty, that my family and coworkers will just have to suck it up. I am considering having a Fiber One party……
Praise the lord for this site! I just ate a bar about 3 hours ago and have been making EMERGENCY trips to the bathroom for the past 20 minutes. As scary as the intense GI pain was the fact that I had NO idea why it was happening. After considering what I had eaten recently, I thought about the Fiber One bar and Googled Chicory Root Extract, but didn’t find anything that seemed to indicate that it would cause this kind of reaction. This site was the only helpful one. I regularly supplement my diet with large amounts of fiber via Metamucil, but I’ve never had any reaction like this. YIKES! This product better be removed from the market soon or it will injure someone.
I am sitting at my desk, it’s lunch time and i can’t even move my stomach is hurting so badly!! I had at least 2 bars (peanut butter) last night and two this morning as i ran out the door to work (chocolate). MY TUMMY IS LIKE A ROCK!! These bars have gotten me like no other. I will have to stop with them also eventhough, i’m in love with the Peanut Butter Ones! Be that as it may, i’m missing lunch today and i feel awful!
These bars are great…I am not sure you should have two or three a day and I am sure that is the problem, but I have one every day, choc or pb, for breakfast and I love them. I clear the shelves when they are on sale.
I have a very healthy diet, one filled with lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. I’m used to eating lots of fiber every day. After eating one bar, I was doubled over in pain. It lasted for hours. One other meal bar did that to me a long time ago. It was a Glucerna bar, can’t remember the flavor. I was unable to eat them, but my co-worker could eat them all day long with no ill effects. I read that it was most likely the sugar alcohol used to sweeten them that gave me the gas. I noticed on the ingredient list of the Fiber One bar that it contained ethanol. It’s just supposition, but maybe that could be causing some of the distress in those of us who cannot tolerate these bars.
I am also laughing at the comments written by everyone here. I have been in such intense pain w/ gas and cramping that I finally had to look up the ingredients. I knew right away it was the chicory root. Normally the sugar alcohol are the culprit, but not w/ the Fiber One bar.
My problem is that I have been experiencing gas from something else as well. I have narrowed it down to Fudge Graham Zone bars, International Delight SUGAR FREE Hazelnut creamer, or ME. Do any of you eat these (minus the latter)?
rachel
I feel fine after eating a peanut butter bar. I actually had a sick stomach after eating pizza last night and it went away for the most part today. It tasted good and I’m sure I could use the fiber. Seems like a fine product.
You have got to be kidding me?!
I can understand these bars causing a problem with some people, as there is a large amount of fiber in a very small serving, but the post about someone almost losing their job as a result?! That’s ludicrous.
All of the people claiming they have been diagnosed with IBS should not be eating such “daring” foods in the first place. That’s like a diabetic saying they didnt know it would cause a sugar coma….the ingredients are on the side of the box. (and a side note: HFCS is not evil. its just really sweet….the reason people get diabetes is beacuse they injest too much sugar, and do nothing to work it off)
Anyone who claims it requires a food diary to discover the effect of these bars is just not very aware. You eat a bar and within an hour you have gas. Its not rocket science. It happens with raw vegetable and beans.
If you incorporate these bars into a healthy diet as a between-meal-snack, they can be a great addition to a weight loss or maintenence program.
I think the bars are great. They are tasty, not too high in calories and they keep me very happy between meals.
I was amused to see the trail of emails on the gas attacks. I had recently linked the Fiber One bars to my attacks. I have a pretty strong system (no IBS, laxative issues, etc) and am amazed at what this does to me. They taste great but only if you aren’t going to be around humans for the next 24 hours! My 7 year old son said “Geez mom - that smells really bad!”. I knew it was time for the trash. Unfortunately, I bought the “good value” pack at Sam’s Club and heve plenty of these to throw out. Although my husband suggested passing them on to someone I don’t like….
I found this site by googling fiber one/gas because since my husband and I started eating these bars we have soooo much gas it is unreal…I know that when you begin eating a lot of fiber that it is suppose to take a while for your body to quit producing as much gas…but I don’t know how long that is going to take and I cannot go to the gym bc I will not be able to hold it that long! And don’t even think you will get away with a slip…the odor is horrible! However, these bars are so good…I was so excited about finally finding a bar that sounded good for nutrition and also tasted like a candy bar! I am torn…toot or not to toot, that is the question! How long before your body begins to adjust? I will keep searching until I find the answer that I like, which is not to quit eating them!
These bars are a God sent for me, because I have high blood pressure. Many of the medications for persons with high blood pressure cause severe constipation, and sometimes getting off of those medications can cause Severe rebound high blood pressure. These bars help to keep me regular. If you know your body can’t handle the symptoms of keeping you healthy from this product, then please don’t discourage others from purchasing it. Maybe you should describe your effects from eating the bars and that’s it. We know that every product doesn’t satisfy all. And maybe the others who dislike this product should continue to eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegtables(if you can fit those in your schedule). However, this is a good healthy treat.
i’ve been eating these fiber one bars…and i’ve never experienced anything like stomach cramp….rushing to the bathroom…i mean.yeah i’ve had gas but i think thats natural due to eating highly on fibers….i think the bars are delicious…and satisfies my sweet cravings….i myself love these bars…maybe others would have to get used to it???but then again we all have different digestions…people are sensitive to certain things and just can’t handle it…
I’m so glad I found this site. I normally have a stomach of iron, but just one of these bars had me doubled over in *agony* for over two hours. For everyone else who was floored by this product: don’t throw the box out. Call and complain! Loudly! 1-800-231-0308.
Wow…well, obviously I’m not alone, but it’s a good thing I have been “alone” as I too have found the bars packed with a little more than flavor. Yes, they are moist, chewy, tasty…but the gas just seems to worsen over time. It was my in-between meal bar and for a few mornings, breakfast. I think the remaining bars are heading for the trash..if a rep from GM reviews this site they may want to seriously consider reformulating the recipe.
They are FIBER ONE bars. All fiber products make you gassy if you’re not used to them. And these are particularly high in fiber. 9 grams all at once is going to upset your stomach is you’re not used to it. These bars are a life saver for me I love them.
i’ve been amazed that anyone can eat these fiber one bars. they ARE totally delish, but oh my god do they fill a girl up like the goodyear blimp. i was keeled over for over 24 hours one day. theyre so good i was in denial and kept going back at them like a spider monkey however. after about 7 horrible incidents i finally gave them up. now i found out my two co-workers have sworn off them as well. so, i think these bars are horrible and should be renamed fiber two bars. are you pickin’ up what i’m puttin’ down?
Thank God I found this website, I had so much gas i thought somthing was wrong with me!!!
My Kids didn’t want to come near me unless they had there gas mask on or they had the fingers over the nose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to call GM to let them know.
I have had no trouble when eating these bars, but I always try to eat a lot of fiber. My personal experience is that if you normally don’t eat enough fiber, eating this amount will certainly give you gas. That is totally normal for eating any kind of fiber in larger amounts than your body is used to. I love these things and I appreciate knowing what the actual fiber source is thanks to comment #10.
SO GLAD I’ve read through these, I’m now humored about this after being worried about the craziest way my body has been responding to a simple granola bar!
I’ve let this go on for nearly 2 weeks now since my pruchase at SAMS… I’ve eaten almost the WHOLE VALUE pack box - 6 remaining… DEFINITELY NO more for me either now, how dangerous these would be for the already sick, weak & elderly! I narrowed it down to these, but every time I had one, I would have all of the described & the symptoms have gotten progressively worse every time. Earlier today I had 2-3 bars! That was my meal for today as I’ve been stressed & really busy. I figured, I’m home alone, no big deal if I am releasing BIG TIME GAS~ However, this was the BIGGEST MISTAKE! NOW, Tonight I am doubled over in pain & feeling the effects of what I’ve heard described in the greatest way. I was actually scared as I am home alone & do not know how bad it will get. I know now that I just need to let this pass & NOT EAT ANY MORE OF THESE DELICIOUS BARS!!! GM better watch out as all it takes is someone with a weakened immune system to eat one of these! This would be my only concern, I just turned 32 & I feel that I eat a very healthy & balanced diet… NEVER have I had such a problem as I’ve had with these bars. They are good going down though, it’s not worth the after effects!!!
I am use to eating high fiber foods. I eat a bread snack I buy at Sam’s with 14 grams of fiber (5 more than then Fiber One bars). I have no problem with the 14 gram bread snack, but the Fiber One bars cause me immense gastrointestinal distress. It has lasted for hours and it took multiple times before I associated it with the Fiber One bars. I had my last one recently that confirmed it as the culprit. I was in pain for hours. My husband asked if he needed to call an ambulance. I do not have IBS and have not suffered these symptoms from any other food in my life. I am quite surprised a consumer group hasn’t had these pulled from the shelves. I’ve never seen ethanol listed on a food label before. Also, I am curious why chicory root extract is the first ingredient listed on the label, meaning it is the primary ingredient. More chicory root than oats or chocolate chips even. Weird.
I gave my live-in boyfriend the remains of a box of the bars i bought (since i ate 2 over a 3 day period and felt like i was giving birth to some sort of mutant from my rectum)…and then i realized the joke was on me, because he kept me up all night with his nasty terrible gas from hell. Thanks a lot Fiber One
I don’t think this gas can be chalked up to an unexpected increase in fiber. My diet is VERY high in fiber (30 to 40 grams per day), but I, too, suffered as a result of these absolutely delicious bars. My co-worker didn’t, so I gave her my remaining bars. I still eat them at home, however. Feel for my poor kids…
I was searching the internet specifically for issues with this Fiber One bar. I have had one…or two everyday for about 4 days and I love them but I have also had severe gas pains and diarrhea for the past 4 days. I realized that after about 1.5 to 2 hours after eating one my stomach starts to act up. I think I will contact GM about this because they should have some kind of warning on their package that it may cause diarrhea and gas in some people. It’s too bad because I really like these bars.
Ha, well, I just ate my first bar and after reading all of these comments I am completely frightened!!! I am an avid fiber consumer, so I am hoping this will turn into a delicious way to consume fiber.
U guys humor me! I’m trying to read this at work without getting into trouble with sudden outbursts of laughter.
I love the taste and will continue to purchase them. They are rather hard to find, but I find that they do the work that they are labeled for (FIBER). Like someone said earlier, if you eat enough vegetables and beans! you can actually experience similar conditions. My husband once woke me up with what I thought was a tear gas, or series of bombshells and all I believe he ate was some nicely and spicely cooked beans.
Let’s be real, something will always cause some of us to react and one bar cannot be good for all, or many just a few. Now that you know it doesn’t work for you. Don’t use it, for the few (rest) of us…keep on, keepin on!
I am laughing at work as well! I LOVE these bars. I just found them when on vacation and I really, really hope I can find them locally. I have had little or NO stomach problems and I’m excited that they are such a healthy snack - especially for a chocolate lover like me. I am an avid fiber consumer as well and I’ve had one bar a day for this whole week. I plan to keep going. =)
i agree that the bars can cause some gi discomfort. does anyone else get queazy after eating them? i don’t mind the other stuff - have suffered from constipation my whole life and don’t mind the boost there. but i am not so happy about the nausea i have started to associate with these bars. anybody??
These are the ebst bars ever! they taste so good. but i ate just 1 before i went to school and im still farting! help me ahhhh!
I LOVE THESE BARS!! I am amazed at all the problems people are having. I have had zero ill effects. They are delicious and a great quick breakfast when I’m on the run to work. I don’t understand how it can affect so many others, but not me. I love whole wheat everything…
I have been eating Fiber One bars for about 3 weeks—probably about 1 a day in between meals. I have never had such stomach pain and GI issues before! I am so happy to find this site and realize that I am not the only one. What a shame because these bars taste soooo great. Too bad that the rest of mine are headed to the garbage. The stomach pain is just not worth it!
The majority of Americans do not consume the daily recommended dose of fiber. Whenever you drastically increase the amount of fiber you are consuming, you have to balance it out by drastically increasing the amount of water you drink. The water keeps the “indigestible” parts of fiber moving through you system. If you don’t increase your water consumption, gas and sometimes MAJOR gas is the result. However, after time, your body would adjust to the regular dose of fiber. It wouldn’t have mattered which type of bar or fiber filled food you tried. The fiber content is what is causing the gas. So, you would either need to eat the bar in portion to start and/or drink LOTS of water.
Hope this helps someone!
I disagree with you Stacey that the reaction to the Fiber One bar can be contributed solely to an increase in fiber. I have switched to a bar from GNU foods with 12 grams of fiber. I can eat 2 of the GNU bars in one day with no abdominal pain or gas at all. The Fiber One bars nearly double me over in pain. I think alot of people that can tolerate high fiber intake are sensitive to an ingredient in these bars.
Holy smokes! It took me a week of eating these dang bars to make the connection!
I just took and entire box and put them in office snack area by the coffee machine. Wondering if I should include a black box warning!
Most nutritional bars that are high in fiber also have a buttload of high frutose corn syrup (19 to 23 g, as opposed to Fiber one’s 10 g) and a ton of other preservatives, giving the fiber little chance of assimilating properly in the body..Altho Fiber one bars contain some unnatural ingredients, the majority of its content is natural, allowing the body to digest all 9 whopping grams of its fiber…A mighty hefty dose in one little bar…I love these little addicting bars, but i definitely limit them to one a day…Some gas is expected, but the more fiber you eat in your diet, over time, the easier your body will be able to get used to it..
I have heard two explanations for the excess gas and bloating these bars cause.
1) The ETHANOL — yes, look on the box– causes the excess gas.
2) The sugar alcohols (which might include ethanol?) cause excess gas and bloating.
So, don’t be afraid that all fiber causes this. I eat lots of fiber and only have stomach problems when I eat the Fiber One bars! There are plenty of fiber choices that will not give you these side effects!
So its not just me!!! I had one of these bars for afternoon snack. Delicious but what a mistake. The gas was unreal! I’ve never had such stinky gas in my life… it was like a nuclear fall-out!! My poor co-workers had to suffer with me all afternoon. Its just finally coming to an end now, thank god!!
No, it’s not just you. It really is the Fiber One bars.
I’ve been eating a high-fiber diet for years. I’m very conscious of my fiber intake, and that’s how I’ve managed to control my IBS.
I’ve eaten high-fiber foods and also taken fiber supplements when necessary, and I’ve had NO PROBLEMS … But the Fiber One bars gave me horrible cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. Just to make sure that it wasn’t a viral thing or something else I’d eaten, I gave them a second chance. Same thing happened.
And I do agree with the concerns about HFCS, although I have to admit that I haven’t been as careful as I should to reduce the amount of HFCS I take in. That stuff is in EVERYTHING.
Anyway, please be careful with the Fiber One bars. Some people tolerate them well, but it seems as if very many people DON’T.
I don’t think I’ll leave them for my coworkers. Maybe for my boss.
HOLY MOLIE! THEY ARE THE BEST TASTING SNACK AND IF YOU ARE ON WEIGHT WATCHERS THEY ARE 1 POINT WHICH IS AWESOME. HOWEVER, THE GAS IS OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS RANCID AND LIKE NONE OTHER. I CAN’T STAND MYSELF! BUT MAN THEY ARE GOOD! I USED TO HAVE 6 A DAY AND WOWZA!!!
I have suffered with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) for a couple of years. So, I’m no stranger to stomach pain. I was happy because I had just started to get things under control. I started eating 1 Fiber One bar for breakfast and started feeling horrible…very abnormally horrible. I was experiencing extreme bloating and horrible pains at work. I thought my body was going crazy. Then, I examined why I was getting sick everyday at the same time. The only thing it could have been was the bars. I quickly stopped eating them and felt fine the next day at work. My brother on the other hand has had no problem digesting them and seems to like them. I however have found other fiber supplements that do not cause any pains.
I have tried these bars at two separate times. First time months ago and loved the taste, but they did a number on my stomach so I stopped eating them. Tried to give them a chance again last week and that night I awakened to major stomach cramping and diarrhea. The stomach cramps continued until I went to bed the following night. And I mean EXCRUITIATING stomach cramps..the kind that bring you to your knees. The only thing that relieved them was a heating pad against my stomach. I read here and saw that others said they emailed/contacted the company. I sent an email saying that there should be a warning on the box. They just called me a few minutes ago to follow up and make sure I was okay. Ha..legal department requested that I am sure! But she was very nice and said that the Chicory Root is something that causes some sensitivity to some people. After looking up chicory root, it is used as a laxative. Nice. I will say as much as I love the taste of these bars.. I will NEVER eat one again. It is really not worth it!!
so glad to see i am not imagining things. I have had severe gas since eating these bars.
i bought them as part of new year/ new me. well the new me spends much more time
in the john. i’m going to pass these out to the moms at the bus stop so they are out of my house.
I have also had the terrible stomach cramps, gas, and shooting pains in the upper quadrants of my abdomen. The gas smells terrible - I have never experienced anything like it. I thought my gallbladder was going bad. The FIBER ONE oats and peanut butter bars are awesome tasting, but devastating to the GI system. I will never, I repeat never buy these again. I am also breastfeeding a 8 month old and I have read that chicory root extract is contraindicated in children and breastfeeding and pregnancy. I have written the company about this also. There needs to be an alert on the front of the box or they need to be pulled off the shelves. I hope nothing happens to my daughter because of this. I have also felt very drowsy lately and terrible all the way around.
Ok. I love these and hate the gas too. But for the person that posted that gas is normal after foods that contain fiber, this is not that exactly true, not to the extream that these bars cause. There is something in these bars that is causing it, either the type of fiber or a combo of stuff in the bars. I also eat Gnu bars that contain 12 grams of fiber and don’t give me gas.
My goodness, tears are streaming down my face from laughing so hard. If laughter is truly the best medicine then these bars are really good for you. I read every one of the posts looking for someone to mention the ingredient Shellac, it’s listed right after the Ethanol. What the heck? Shellac… Help me understand this please.
Oh am I so very glad that I’m not alone! I absolutely ADORE the taste of these bars and have been eating two for breakfast since I started a diet last week. I normally consume a high-fiber diet anyway, and beans and veggies do not give me gas. BUT THESE BARS! Yikes. It’s too bad, because I love them.
Okay, for all of you that keep saying those of us getting horrible cramps and gas from eating these bars are because we’re not used to eating a diet in fiber have no idea what you’re talking about. How many posts have you read where people say they eat a high fiber diet? I eat a high fiber diet myself and I only tried a few of the Fiber One bars (no, not more than one in one day either)before I knew something was wrong and have not had one since. I wasn’t for sure what the problem was, but attributed it to the Chicory Root. I just recently grabbed a box of Curves granola bars and had only paid attention to the nutritional content, not the ingredients because I usually have a very strong stomach and can eat just about anything with no problems…Well, after getting the same INTENSE stomach cramps, I looked on the box and sure enough the #1 ingredient is Chicory root extract. There is obviously some common denominator here and as with anything else, it’s not going to affect everyone. So for those of you that are lucky enough to not get horrible cramps and/or gas, us that do are extremely happy for you…but unless you have actually experienced what these bars do to others, please do not attribute it to us just not eating a high fiber diet or not being used to it and/or too stupid to know the difference….
Alright…I was reading through the comments and on August 13th “fulcrum” wrote:
“(and a side note: HFCS is not evil. its just really sweet….the reason people get diabetes is beacuse they injest too much sugar, and do nothing to work it off)”
that’s not true. No one knows what causes diabetes (at least type I).
Plus, you are obviously a Fiber One victim…because you have CRAPPY attitude.
I dont want to re-iterate the fact that these bars are SO good and for 140 calories?! the gas..its for real!
Does anyone know if they have another kind that has less fiber and the same taste.?
I mean.. all this hype over some nutrition bar?
its a heck of a tasty one.. someone from GM fix this so we
can all enjoy without hurting ourselves and others around us!!
I ate two bars late one evening and two more for breakfast the next day. By noon, the cramps were so strong they bent me over in pain.
Actually considered having a doctor investigate my appendix or gallbladder, LOL.
Jerry Sinfeld should have produced an episode using the Fiber One bar!
I love these bars and am very thankful for them, as I am also on Weight Watchers and something sweet and chewy, that’s only 2 points and includes 9 grams of fiber, is a very welcome addition to my diet. So I really want to clear up some myths here and avoid a bunch of complaints to General Mills that will spur them into discontinuing these delicious bars. For some of us, they’re life savers. Maybe not for all of us, but for some of us.
The ethanol (which is merely alcohol and the alcoholic ingredient in any alcoholic beverage you consume) in Fiber One Bars is in the confectioner’s shellac (it’s used to dissolve the powdered shellac) and although ethanol can cause gas, the little bit used to dissolve the shellac that’s on the few chocolate chips that are in a Fiber One Bar probably wouldn’t create enough gas to cause problems and it’s certainly not a dietary hazard.
Confectioner’s glaze or “shellac” is used extensively in the food industry as a natural sealer which improves the general appearance of the product, extends the shelf life, provides good moisture protection and stops the coated product from sticking together when packaged. Yes, it does come from a resinous secretion of a female beetle Lassifer lacca. But then, milk is a secretion from a female cow, so what’s the big deal? The secretion is bleached and dried, which results in an off-white, granular resin, which is then dissolved in solvent (hence the ethanol) before it is applied to the food. Confectioner’s shellac maintains its gloss in high-humidity conditions, doesn’t get tacky or dull, and adheres to lots of surfaces, so it’s used on most chocolate and other candy and numerous other food products. Won’t hurt ya.
As for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. It’s sugar, people. Just sugar. It’s highly concentrated, and cheaper than sugar, which is why food manufacturers use it. It takes a relatively small amount to sweeten a lot of food. If you can’t eat or have sworn off processed sugar, or all sugar, then you would consider HFCS to be “bad.” However, if you eat sugar - white, brown, raw, powdered, syrup, or whatever - then HFCS isn’t anything you’re not already eating. It’s just in a different form. Sugar and HFCS have essentially identical physiological effects.
So now that those nasty rumors are out of the way, let’s talk about gas. I did experience more gas than usual when I first started eating Fiber One Bars, but after about three weeks or so, it started abating. I still experience more gas than I previously did, but that’s to be expected when you go from a high-fat, low-fiber diet to the exact opposite. Also, I usually only eat one bar per day, occasionally two. Everything in moderation is, I believe, good advice. I about died when I read about those people who ate five bars in a day, OR IN ONE SITTING! My sister, however, who has suffered with IBS for a number of years, had such severe gas accompanied by extreme intestinal pain that she could not eat them. But then again, she eats an almost “0” fiber diet – no vegetables, very few fruits, lots of processed, packaged foods, etc., so 9 grams of fiber probably sent her body into shock. ?
The gas is caused by the fiber, specifically the type of fiber, that is in Fiber One Bars. The fiber in Fiber One Bars is provided by chicory root. Chicory root is one of the most abundant sources of inulin. Inulin is a quick-fermenting, soluble fiber. It occurs naturally in over 36,000 plants, including many common foods such as bananas, broccoli, wheat, rye, asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes. Due to it fermenting quickly, inulin can cause gas, sometimes extreme, and should be “gradually” added to your diet. When you consider that you’re getting 9 grams of fiber in a 40 gram Fiber One Bar (that’s almost 25% fiber), you’ll realize why some folks have gastrointestinal problems after eating them. Whether or not you’re used to a high-fiber diet, consuming a food that’s 25% fiber can be a surprise to your intestinal tract. Also, some people have more sensitive digestive systems than others. Having a stomach like iron, as I’ve read in several posts, doesn’t mean your intestines are of the same ilk, and that’s where the fermentation, and subsequent gas, occur.
As a side note, the carbohydrates in inulin are considered “prebiotics.” A prebiotic is a nondigestible carbohydrate that stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria (fermentation) naturally residing in the colon. These helpful bacteria are referred to as probiotics. Probiotic bacteria promote health by inhibiting the growth of harmful pathogens thus reducing the potential for infections. Other potential benefits of prebiotics may include the reduction of the risk of colorectal cancer.
So I, for one, am very happy to have Fiber One Bars available to me and plan on eating them regularly. I’m sorry for those of you who can’t eat them, but I would ask you to, please, just stop eating them and don’t spoil it for the rest of us by complaining to GM about the product. Just because you can’t eat them doesn’t mean there’s something wrong or harmful about the product.
Ok, the person who posted before me obviously works for General mills. The Fiber One bar is BAD. I am a vegetarian and eat all of those plants mentioned and more, daily. I do not experience the horrible intestinal woes mentioned with my plant based diet. After eating ONE of these crappy bars, I felt like a frickin war zone erupted in my gut. Painful and Gross - this should be the tag line for selling these bars.
I too, plan on leaving the box of remaining bars in the break room at work so that the scavenging a-holes that I work with can experience a new kind of hell they deserve.
Oh buddy these bars should be marketed and re-branded for prank purposes… you could easily charge 5 times the price for the kind of entertainment value they add. They are incredibly effective in producing some of the largest quantities of gas imaginable. For the sheer entertainment of them, everyone should experience the Fiber One bar! The stomach pain isn’t that severe and doesn’t last long… but the smell of the gas sure does! Chalk one up to the folks that put that recipe together! I would highly recommend starting with 1 bar first just to see how your corn-hole reacts. Heck, if you’re reading this, you probably respond nicely to the Fiber One bars. One recommendation: eat your Fiber One bars in the morning. I had 2 of them one afternoon and farted myself awake all night! My poor wife… Ah… who doesn’t like to fart or poop? Life is good! Thank you Fiber One!
Eat one bar a day and eat as a supplement not on a completly empty stomach. When taking in a lot of fiber you must also drink plenty of water or fiber can be worse than constipation. I have been eating these for over a month now with no problems. I do drink 8 glasses of water. Those of you that eat two or three of these in a day and don’t drink a ton of water are just asking for it. You can’t compare fiber from vegetables to this because there completely different.
there, their or they’re - learn the difference
I love the taste of the Fiber One bars. But my gawd…the stinky gas and the leakage is horrible. You feel the gas building and building and building. But you better not help it along by trying to fart. Don’t blink, don’t move, don’t breathe. Gas just kept rumbling out for hours - I changed my underwear twice
My husband kept giving me dirty looks. One time, we both put pillows over our heads. We are still married so far…
I found these bars and thought they were a great snack. But the stinky gas and stomach issues were awful. Just disgusting.
These bars definatly give me major gas! I am definatly done eating them!! It is good to know that others are feeling this way, I thought something was wrong with me!!
Beware!! Don’t purchase the Fiber One Yogurt. It gives you the same gassy, bloated feeling that the bars give you. They both taste great but I soon realized it is not worth the pain!
Woah, Boy! These things are like intestinal hand grenades. My wife ate one and became an eternal flame. My heavens, can these things interrupt a business meeting. My 350 lb boss eats these for breakfast. His meetings have the ambiance of a riot with tear gas. Ooops, there goes another one. My co-worker insists that they register on a Seismograph.
I eat these things to diet but would consider eating them just for the entertainment value…
So, being on a weight-watchers type eating plan for the last 7 years, these are awesome! Your body DOES get used to having high fiber intake, but it takes about 3-4 weeks for your “diet” to become habit, and your body to become accustomed to it. Weight watchers promotes reasonable calorie intake with low fat and high fiber. Just think of the increased fiber as a “cleanser”… if you eat a bunch of low quality food, it clogs the system. Fiber is a great way to combat this effect. (Haven’t you ever seen the fat coagulated on the top of gravy… in a way… fat does the same thing INSIDE you…)
By the way, all the “links” between High Fructose Corn Syrup and obesity are statistically sound, HOWEVER: it IS NOT the HFCS’s that causes the obesity… it is the # of calories taken in as simple sugars that lead to obesity and diabetes (especially in children).
After getting “used” to the high fiber, I regularly eat 3 or 4 of these a day as a quick snack to keep me from getting overly hungry at any point.
OMG - I thought something crawled up inside me and died. I had one bar at 10:00 this morning and I am in such pain from the gas issues. I don’t care what anyone says, this is the second time I tried one and never again. It can’t be that health if it is causing that much pain and gas.
I have suffered with constipation my whole life. I now eat one fiber one bar aday and it has helped my problem greatly. I have also always had a sensitive stomach, but I tolerate these bars well. I would much rather eat one of these tasty bars than use products like benefiber.
The Fiber One bars are very tasty but after eating several yesterday morning I thought I was coming down with somekind of stomach flu. My stomach started churning. Lots of gas. Some stomach cramps. And stools became progressively loose. I’d recommend these things if one needed a quick cleanout. But it’s not fun.
These Fiber One bars are decent - I’m willing to take in a bit of HFCS if it means I can get 35% of my daily fiber requirements in a pretty convenient bar. When I first started eating them, they gave me absolutely horrible gas though! I think the problem was that I made a dramatic effort to eat better - lots more veggies, whole grains, fiber, yogurt. If you want to avoid bad GI issues, easing gradually into a healthier diet is the ticket. Don’t eat more than 1 bar a day, unless after a while you can tolerate it. Salads are killer too - I started off doing a couple of side salads a week, and now I’m pretty comfortable with a big salad for lunch almost every day. And if I do more than 4 servings of whole grains a day, I’m in pain. Who knew eating well would take so much planning??
All I have to say is WOW…after the FIBER ONE Yogurt. I was wondering what the sam heck was wrong with me!!! Non-stop gas and terrible cramps.
NO more!!! Back to soy I go!
For the lady on Weight Watchers….count again please… theses bars are 2 points. I love them and while they do cause gas it isn’t as bad and other things for me. Now mind you I use them as my snack and it does help keep me regular. what I am trying to read is if there is any thing to take with it that would neutralize the gas affect. Beano and Gas X don’t seems to help…according to my sister….any suggestions?
I have had a terrible experience eating the Oats & PB bars on two occasions …..yeah It took two incidents until I realized what it was. So I looked them up on the internets and I’m glad I found this site. I had terrible cramps and gas which is understandable but also and loose stool, not cool. Not recommended for people who are regular. Awful.
I am so happy I found this site. I had two bars and the next day I thought my stomach was going to explode. I could not figure out why the gas was so bad. Now I know why! I was in such bad pain!!!! I love the taste of the bars but it just is not worth the pain. And yes it is worth 2 points for weight watchers.
Wowser! I am so glad I found this site. What can I say? I guess I’m a little slow - I had several of these (never more than one a day) off and on during the winter. I thought I was having the worst winter ever - I work with lots of small children and get exposed to all the latest viruses and colds floating around. I kept getting this terrible lower GI thing, but thought it was probably a virus. Then today, I discovered a Fiber One bar I had forgotten about in my tote bag - I was so happy
because I hadn’t had one in a while. And lo and behold, the GI Horrors are back! Glad I finally put 2 and 2 together and came up with Fiber One! Wish I had heard about this before……
I eat one to two of these bars (Oats & Caramel) and have no bad reaction whatsoever. They taste great and do exactly what they’re supposed to do. I feel bad for the people who can’t eat them, but I don’t think that it’s the fault of the product.
I have experienced awful gas and churning intestines as well, which is a shame because I like the bars (although they are a little too sweet) and appreciate all the fiber that is in them. I think the Fiber One fans who are dismissing people’s abdominal complaints as due to having low-fiber diets are being more than a bit unfair. Here is what I think is going on:
1. Chicory root, the number one ingredient, is a type of inulin, which is a fructan
2. 30-40% of the population has fructose malabsorption and has stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and/or diarrhea when eating frucose or fructans
Therefore, I think it is the inulin/fructan in the bars, not the fiber per se, that is responsible for many people’s GI distress, especially those people who are able to tolerate fiber in other foods. Probably because chicory root is the number one ingredient, the gas and other symptoms are much more noticeable from these bars than from eating a piece of fruit.
For those who have mentioned frustration at the lack of notification General Mills provides about the sometimes-ensuing laxative effect of Fiber One bars, the box actually does say: “Gradually increase fiber over time to help minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort.”
Also, for those eating more than 2 a day, of course you’re going to suffer from GI distress!
I eat a diet rich in fiber, as well as a Fiber One bar each morning. Never have I experienced anything similar to the many complaints submitted on this site, but I believe this to be simply a matter of digestive differences between individuals. What works for some may not work for others. In no way am I trying to down-play the seemingly horrible effects many people are reporting, however, I don’t believe it’s fair to bash General Mills for their product because it’s unsuitable to their own specific gastrointestinal tolerances. I agree with DrJ on the matter that the chicory root seems to be the culprit in the matter of the GI distress that sometimes occurs.
I believe that if Fiber One bars have no adverse effect on you, they are a good choice that may positively influence regularity and keep you satisfied. However, if Fiber One bars have proven to negatively impact you, it is better to give up their taste and find other sources of fiber/whole grain/taste/whatever incentive that’s causing you to reach for the bars. The only way to know how the bars will affect you is to try them.
Maybe some of us lack the proper enzymes for breaking down Chicory Root.
I regularly eat a very healthy diet with lots of fiber, but these bars make me feel terribly sick. I haven’t had pains like that since childbirth!!! Crazy! However, I have other family members who can eat them without experiencing any negatives.
I had a couple FiberOne bars a couple days ago and had terrible, sudden stomach cramping. But I attributed it to spicy food I’d eaten. Well, today I had two for breakfast and two more in the afternoon (I know, that is a lot of fiber; I just wasn’t thinking).
So tonight I pulled into the driveway and my stomach really started to hurt. I ran inside, but as I stepped in the door I began to have explosive diarrhea. I have never experienced this before and hope never to experience it again. I normally have a very strong stomach, but I was literally crapping down my legs. Gross. Thanks goodness I was at home.
The lesson here is, start with just one and see how it goes over.
I too had terrible gas the first time I ate these (I had two in one day and didn’t drink enough water). I have continued to eat them regularly and my tummy has adjusted quite well. If I recommend these to a friend I always tell them to drink plenty of water and to watch for the ferocious gas after the first bar. I think that Chicory Root may effect different people different ways.
Anyone know how much of the fiber is “soluble fiber?”
I’m laughing so hard I have tears running down my face.
I never put 2 & 2 together until I was on the Weight Watchers message boards one day then I figured out what was going on with all of the gas and cramps.
My husband took some of these bars to work with him. Around the same time the Dr. changed hubbys blood pressure meds.
Hubby came home and called the Dr. and told him the side effects the new meds were causing before we realized it was the Fiber One bars causing all of the gas and cramping.
First off I need to apologize to all for the penny sized hole I burned in the ozone layer after eating one of these bars. The methane I produced was tremendous. No cramping or gi problems for me and fortunately the stench wasn’t awful. (Nasty but not unbearable.) I did appreciate the ingredients in the bar as I’m trying to eat healthier and the taste was outstanding, but ay carumba that gas! I tried a second bar a few days later thinking it may have been an aberration or something else I ate that day. Nope. Exact same occurrence. Guess that makes two penny sized holes in the ozone layer I’m responsible for. Again, my apologies. (Somebody should contact Al Gore regarding this product….) My take is it’s a good, healthy offering and as other have stated, if your system adjusts to the higher fiber content after a while, I’d stick with them, but I don’t think my wife is going to let me get to that stage with this product.
Cheers!
My doctor told me to increase my fiber intake, and this is due to medications she put me on. She stated that there are many GOOD fiber choices out there, and gave me a list of a few of them. I tried several, and settled on the Fiber One bars, and this was due to the GREAT taste. Fortunately, I don’t have any of the symptoms graphically described on this site! GM has now added a few words to the latest (2008) boxes. It reads, and I quote, “Gradually increase fiber over time to help minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort.” Of course, these words are EXTREMELY SMALL! If I’m correct it’s the smallest writing on the entire box, and it’s very light, also. No, I don’t have the side-effects that many of you have, but I do think GM should increase the font size of this little memo! People NEED to know what they could be in for! Yes, it’s written on the box, but it could easily be missed by most people. Oh well, we can only hope they find a formula that meets everyone’s high standards. By the way, I DO NOT work for them, or anyone even associated with GM!
I have tried these bars this week and was horrified at the amount of painful gas they created in my system. I eat a well-rounded high fiber diet regularly and have for a decade, through legumes, vegetables, breads, and over the counter. Therefore, my “system not being used to fiber” theory doesn’t work for me. I also don’t’ have IBS or problems with over-eating. 1/2 to 1 portion was enough. Something is not right here for people with normal digestive systems. Sounds like if you’re constipated, this is just the thing, but for the rest of us these are terrible. While they taste good, it is not worth it when I can get fiber the natural way and not be harmed by the pain of gas pressure that is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered in my life.
Glad it works for some, but for me I will let my husband, sister and her husband know what I think is to blame for their increased amount of gas too.
I found this site by doing the exact same search as #42 - “fiber one gas!” I’m so glad that I found it. I’m sorry that other people are having the same issues as I am, but in a way am glad that it isn’t just me. We should start a support group to help each other through the fiber one transition! The humor, graphic as it may be, is about the only thing that has helped me through the past 24 hours. Thank you #7 for breaking the ice.
I like eating cereal or granola bars for breakfast. I’ve done this for years and have tried just about every kind. The only other bar I’ve had trouble with is the Curves Strawberries & Cream bar which has half the fiber and the same terminal gas result (and narrowing down the source of the discomfort in both instances was painfully obvious – pun intended). The worst part is I always confuse the Curves with the Special K so I always have to check carefully now. Anyway, I wasn’t able to find out if the chicory root is the common denominator between Curves and Fiber One. I’ll check the next time I’m at the store. If it is, I’m done with chicory root.
Also, I consider myself to be a healthy, fiber eater, with no IBS issues. I’d like to overcome my issues with these bars and have already taken some of the advice in these posts. For starters, I didn’t eat the bar for breakfast or on an empty stomach, waited until midmorning, drank plenty of fluids, and watched the fiber intake for all meals…SAME result! If just giving it time were the solution, it seems like I’d have gotten used to in the many times I’ve tried. I’m going to give it more time and see if that coupled with the suggestions offered will work. Honestly, doing so seems kind of self destructive. I am glad that they’ve added a warning label, but it must be really small because I couldn’t find it on my package. I agree the font should definitely be increased!
I love these bars.
I too experience the gas.
I take a swig of lemon juice afterward, and I’m fine.
The more fiber I add to my diet, GRADUALLY, the better I am able to digest it.
Shel