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What Is Glucomannan?
Glucomannan powder is a soluble fiber with no sugar no starch, no protein and no fat. It is made from the Konjac root, which has been grown for thousands of years in Asia and has been used for food and medicinal purposes in Japan and China for almost as long.
Most photos of the Konjac root show you a gnarly brown tuber … but by looking at it you have NO idea of size … here’s a photo that gives you some perspective!
Research shows that the higher the viscosity of soluble fiber, the better the control of blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Glucomanann is one of the most viscous soluble fiber in nature.
Glucomanann has recently become very popular in North America and is used as a diet supplement and as a way to control blood sugar levels in Diabetics.
I am Diabetic and have found that daily use of glucomannan makes a BIG difference in my blood sugar levels. At one point I ran out and my blood sugar readings almost immediately shot up. The difference is remarkable and I now make sure I always have a supply on hand.
Glucomannan is often used in cooking as a starch like thickener. It is ten times more powerful than cornstarch and far healthier because it doesn’t have calories, sugar or digestible carbs. Glucomannan is also used in baking, as a thickener and binder, especially in recipes that have no gluten.
Because it is so powerful, you can’t add glucomannan directly to hot foods or sauces you want to thicken because it will cause a awful lumpy mess. You need to mix it with a COLD liquid first (water, stock, wine, sauce mix such as teryakki). I found the best way to do this is to have my cold liquid in a cup (1/2 a cup is good) and sprinkle a bit of glucomannen on top, stir it in and then sprinkle some more until you have a lump free mixture. Then slowly pour the liquid into your sauce, stew or whatever you are thickening. It is much easier to sprinkle evenly if you put the glucomannan in a salt shaker.
Using Glucomannan To Control Blood Sugar Levels
As I mentioned above, I use glucomannan to control my blood sugar.
Here’s how:
If I am in a hurry and just before a meal that contains carbs, I mix about a teaspoon into a cup of water and chug-a-lug it 15 to 30 minutes before I eat. It is tasteless. If I didn’t plan ahead, I just go ahead and chug-a-lug just before I eat. It doesn’t have the same hunger reducing effect, but it helps control blood sugar surges.
I normally eat one meal a day. IF I am hungry and eat a snack that contains carbs, I’ll add 1/2 a teaspoon to the glass of water. It is VERY important to have at least one 8-ounce glass of liquid with the glucomannen. It will rapidly bulk up and you NEED the liquid.
My snack is often a smoothie … just mix in a teaspoon before you buzz your blender or Ninja.
From time to time I have a chocolate-sugar craving, so I make chocolate pudding, using my THM sweet blend copy cat recipe for sweetness and glucomannan as the pudding thickener.
Health Benefits of Glucomannan (Konjack Powder)
- Lose and Manage Weight – Glucomannan fills your stomach and rapidly slows down the digestion process. If you have it 15 to 30 minutes before a meal, you will eat less food.
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NOTE: You may be interested to know that glucomannan is one of the main ingredients of the PGX diet supplement. PGX is most often sold in pill form and ends up being a very expensive diet aid.
. - Helps control blood sugar levels for Diabetics – In addition to slowing down the digestion process, glucomannan blocks and binds the absorption of sugars and carbohydrates from other foods in your meal.
. - Reduces Cholesterol – Glucomannan reduces the absorption of lipids such as LDL (bad cholesterol).
. - Improves Digestive Health – Glucomannan is a super fiber. It is like a rotor rooter in your intestines and will regulate bowel movements. HOWEVER you need to work up to a full daily dose (one to two teaspoons) SLOWLY over a week or more depending on how your body is reacting.
Nutrition Facts: Per 1 g:
Calories 2,
Fat 0 g,
Saturated Fat 0 g,
Trans Fat 0 g,
Cholesterol 0 mg,
Sodium 0 mg,
Potassium 0 mg,
Carbohydrate 1 g,
Fiber 1 g,
Sugar 0 g,
Sugar Alcohol 0 g,
Protein 0 g
Glucomannan is one of the ingredients in the THM baking blend. It acts as a binder and thickener replacing the gluten found in grain flours.
Where To Purchase Glucomannan
I combed all the health food stores in my area … and called a dozen more. In a city of 1.5 million people, I found Glucomannan once — in the form of capsules. Capsules are a NO go. Not only are the ridiculously expensive, you need the lose powder to make any of the THM baking blend recipes. Getting the lose powder is much more economical than using diet pills.
My go to online product store is Amazon (and YES, I am an affiliate). If you know of any great online stores with better prices and free shipping please let us all know. This is one of the more expensive items in the THM lineup so finding better prices would be very welcome.
Glucomannan Konjac Powder 1 LB or 16 OZ
(100% Pure & Natural Weight Loss) & Free Shipping
The following bulk quantities offer significant savings if you purchase 1 kg or more. They offer quantities of 5Kg and 25 kg. I do quite a bit of baking and also use this as a daily suppliment because it really helps keep my blood sugar levels down. I take 1/2 tsp mixed in water 30 minutes before meals. For ME the difference was remarkable and I would not do without it.
You can also make your own konjac noodles … so depending on what you plan on making order in quantities that will last for a month or more.
Note: 1 kilogram is just over 2 pounds
Even MORE Good News!
Konjac is used extensively in Japan, as a vegetable and to create numerous products including glucomannan powder as well as a variety of carb friendly products. They have perfected making Konjac Noodles and Konjac Rice, both of which are extremely low carb and which are perfect if you are on a Keto Diet or Low Carb Diabetic Diet.
As a Diabetic I have avoided both of these foods for years and let me tell you about the cravings!! Now I can have my cake AND noodles AND rice and still maintain low blood sugar readings. What a blessing, talk about a Diabetic Rescue miracle!
