Olestra
 

Has anyone out there experienced their weightloss slowing down or stopping because they are eating products with Olestra (Wow Chips, Tortilla Chips, etc)? Just wondering.

Fit4Life

Not me but then again I only eat about 1 serving a day.

No but I have noticed that while Pringles FF doesn't affect me (you know ;) ) the WOW definately seems to. I ate the WOW this week instead for a change and Oh My! Anyone else experience this? Just curious.....Sis

I just had to comment on this one!

I am still paying hospital bills from the tests I have had done in recent months.........upper & lower GI series.colonoscopy etc......all because I was having severe allergic reactions to WOW chips...7 major attacks that made me so ill my husband had to come home from work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I started eating these when they came on the market and didnt notice any problem...then last summer starting getting violently ill suddenly...............it tooks months to determine.but I am 99% positive it was the WOW chips.I havent had them since Christmas Eve.when I ended up in the emergency room for fluids! Be careful! I am thankful to discover the problem! Just put allergic reaction to olestra in a search page and you will be shocked at the reports on them!

Thanks for letting me share!
Cin

PS I didnt addres the questions....yes after each violent attack I lost weight!

:)Cin
PS Are you the fit I know? (from long ago)

I can't speak about Olestra from personal experience, but I follow the diet guidelines in the book "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy" (Walter C. Willett/Harvard Medical School) along with staying on WW. Here is some of what Dr. Willett says about Olestra:

"The real problem with olestra is its effect on fat-soluble vitamins and other phytochemicals. Vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as beta-carotene, lycopene, and a host of other plant pigments and phytochemicals, can't get into the bloodstream unless they are ferried through the intestinal wall aboard fat molecules. Olestra soaks up these fat-loving substances in the digestive system and whisks them out into the stool. This robs the body of a host of substances that play roles in preventing heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Procter and Gamble is adding vitamins A, E, and K to make up for these losses, but this won't do anything for the various other carotenoids that appear to be important for long-term health.

" . . . . . Eating a small one-ounce bag of chips made with olestra every day dramatically lowers carotenoid levels in the bloodstream. If this fake fat is ever used in fast-food restaurants, something for which Procter and Gamble has petitioned the FDA, or as a replacement for vegetable shortenings at home, it could have a major negative effect on public health."

I have not found any hindering in my weight loss while consuming Olestra products. I don't eat them that often either though. I must say, that as unfortunate as allergic reactions are to the product, I would say that the percentages of actual occurances are probably very small. I don't believe everything that I read on the net, so, all it would take is a few people having had severe reactions like this to blow the whole thing out of proportion. I mean, people can have just as severe or worse reactions from medication or other things in life. I figure, if one this isnt't going to get me, something else will. :)

When these products first came out, there were reports that some people would have intestinal problems. I myself have never tried them--why tempt fate?

:dizzy:

Just for the record I didnt intend to "Blow things out of proportion" I always was aware of the warning and ate them symptom free for a long time.....................

Sorry I shared
Cin

Here is a recipe for potato chips I got off a WW discussion board quite a few years ago. They are really good, and healthier than eating the chips with Olestra, especially those who have problems with Olestra. I don't know the point value, but if you use PAM instead of olive oil, I would think it would be whatever the point value of a potato is.

Potato Chips:
1 potato, scrubbed clean & sliced wafer thin
about 1/2 teasp. of olive oil OR Pam Spray
salt and/or seasonings of your choice

Put oil in a plastic ziploc baggie along with salt and/or seasonings. Put potato slices in bag. Blow up bag & quickly zip to shut. Shake vigorously until you think the slices are coated. (If you are using PAM, just give the slices a good spray, then shake them with spices and/or salt).

Arrange slices in a circle on a microwave proof plate. Microwave on high for 4 min. Turn chips over & rearrange them to cook evenly. Microwave again 2 min. Turn. Microwave again 2 min., or until they start to brown, watch them carefully. They must be brown in places or they will not crisp up! Make sure they don't burn. Remove from microwave, let cool. They crisp when cooling.

Note: Times may be different on your microwave...watch closely.

Wow Chips
 

Fit:
When Olestra came out I was so excited just thinking about all the wonderful fat free options we might enjoy. I was thinkin about ff margarine, ice cream ....all sorts of things.

I enjoyed all the posts, but sorry to hear of some bad physical drawbacks to olestra. Just to add my 2 cents ....it makes me nervous. I try to snack on pretzels, rice cakes and baked chips. Loved the baked potato idea!

Going to the market tonight - hope to get some good things to stay on track over the weeked.