Smoothies and Puddings with Glucomannan

Another situation where I am late to the party. I am just now getting around to trying out glucomannan powder. I knew about it, and even thought about ordering it plenty of times before, but just refused to invest twenty bucks plus a huge shipping cost. I am cheap like that, always have been.

But when I saw it at another vendor, cheaper and less shipping, I knew I had to break down and try it. Afterall, it is supposed to be so good for diabetics. Here is what the Health Diaries had to say about this innocent looking white powder.

Weight Loss
Glucomannan is a soluble fiber that absorbs several times its weight in water and forms a gel in the stomach, giving a feeling of fullness, slowing gastric emptying and slowing the digestion of fats.

Allergy Relief
In mice, glucomannan powder inhibited the development of atopic dermatitis and overproduction of substance P and proinflammatory cytokines. It also inhibited overproduction of IgE, the immunoglobulin that causes most of the body's allergic reactions. (reference)

Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice indicate that glucomannan powder may have a strong inhibitory effect on lung tumors. (reference)

Hyperthyroidism Treatment
Researchers have been studying the effects of glucomannan on thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroidism. Results have been positive so far and glucomannan may be a good complement to standard hyperthyroid treatments. (reference)

Lower Cholesterol
In one study of 63 healthy men, consumption of glucomannan powder significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides, while HDL ("good") cholesterol was not lowered. (reference)

Blood Pressure
In the same study of 63 men, the mens' systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 2.5%.

Constipation Relief
Glucomannan decreases fecal transit time and provides very good constipation relief thanks to its soluble fiber. The gel that forms in the stomach aids digestion and elimination as well.

Help for Type 2 Diabetes
Glucomannan keeps fasting blood glucose levels stable. In one study, diabetic patients were given glucomannan for 90 days and their fasting glucose levels fell by an average of 29%.

Anti-Aging Benefits
In one study, researchers found that feeding rats glucomannan meal for 18 months delayed cell aging, arteriosclerosis, and brain deterioration. (reference)

Healthier Meals
It can increase the volume of recipes and be used as a healthy thickener, which allows you to create lower-fat, lower-calories meals and desserts that are good for your overall health.

Sounds good! I will be sharing some more experiments with you soon enough. This is something we don't want to rush. Already this afternoon, I am feeling the tummy rumblings associated with that increase of fiber. Definitely don't want to overdo that one!

This morning, I made two fabulous smoothies. John's was the strawberry cheesecake smoothie in the photo. I used some leftover cold coffee and made a cappucino smoothie for me. Both were good, and had a great thick mouthfeel thanks to the glucomannan. I couldn't tell much difference though from when I add in xanthan gum. Both do the trick. Glucomannan does seem to mix in a little easier though.

I am also playing around with an eggnog flavored pudding. I haven't eaten much of it so far, as mentioned above, I can't spend the day in the bathroom. I will pack it up for lunch at school and work tomorrow. The consistency is not exactly like an old fashioned pudding, but it is tolerable. Not nearly as slimy as xanthan gum. I did detect a little coating on my tongue it seemed. It will be fun to keep playing with this stuff. I have so many flavors of Capella drops, that alone could keep me going for weeks. Then there are the bases--dairy, almond milk, fruits, etc. Should be fun.

Here is what I did for the strawberry smoothie.

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

5 frozen whole strawberries
3/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup home made Greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons sugarfree vanilla syrup, I used Da Vinci
6 drops Capella Cheesecake flavoring
1/8 teaspoon powdered stevia (or sweetener of choice)
1 teaspoon glucomannan powder

Add first six ingredients to blender. Mix well. Sprinkle the glucomannan powder lightly over the surface. Immediately blend again on high. Let the smoothie rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to thicken.

For my smoothie, I did basically the same thing using a water and cream mixture rather than the yogurt. I used Capella Cappucino drops to enhance the coffee flavor. I think next time I will add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to up the nutrition.
These smoothies will definitely keep you filled up for a while. A smaller version would make a great late night snack too. It would replace those ice cream cravings I hear some people have. I don't get those, personally.

If you are interested in purchasing some where I did, go to Healthy Village and order a pound for $12.40. I purchased some stevia and some dehydrated veggies while I was there too.