Agar Agar and Weight/Appetite Control
 

A few days ago I came across an article detailing the latest diet trend in Japan: the Kanten Diet. This diet mainly consists of drinking a teaspoon of agar agar (found in most health and Asian food stores) dissolved in tea or hot water about ten minutes before eating your main meals of the day. Supposedly the noncaloric agar agar drink eliminates one's appetite (it is full of a type of fiber gentle on the digestive system) and also helps stabilize blood sugar and block the absorption of fat.

Whether or not agar agar can block the absorption of fat or level out blood sugar levels, it does eliminate one's appetite. Since I started drinking agar agar, I haven't gone over my calorie limit for the day. I also don't suffer from dizziness or feelings of low blood sugar -- it really is fantastic stuff. I just dissolve it in some hot water and drink it ten minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. It doesn't taste like anything (it is frequently used as a substitute for gelatin in vegan/vegetarian desserts) and I find myself feeling full all the time, but it doesn't give me a stomachache or anything.

Has anyone else tried the Kanten Diet? If so, was it effective?

I've never heard of it, but it sounds interesting! And it's awesome that it's working for you! Might have to try it out :)

I only know agar agar as a thickener which can be used to make jello like products (without gelatin) which is why vegetarians like it. It is possible that it is expanding in your stomach which is making you feel full.

Hehe, when I think of agar, I think of agar plates in microbiology cultures.

But that does sound interesting. I might have to find some. Where are you getting yours?

I just get my agar agar at an Indian grocery store. It retails there for about $2.50 for a large packet. At Whole Foods, you can get it for about $4.00 an ounce.

The agar agar I consume is not powdered; I think the powdered agar agar would be far more appetizing (insofar that something that tastes like nothing can be appetizing).