Fiber One granola bars and pregnancy!

[rosehillworks]

Hi Ladies,
You all may already know this but I only found out recently. I bought some Fiber One granola bars to have a healthier snack to snack on while at school. I like them and it increases my fiber. I ate 3 one day while I was at school, I had tests and didn't have time to get lunch. I had one for breakfast, which I was doing every day, and 2 later on at separate times as a snack. Well I started having some severe cramps that night and got worried about the baby. I couldn't figure out what was causing them. I decided the only thing I was doing different was was eating these new healthier granola bars. Come to find out Chicory root is the main ingredient and it can have an emmenagogue and abortifacient effect. I was surprised and stopped eating them. I am glad everything is ok. I am usually very educated about herbs and what to stay away from when pregnant. I just didn't anticipate having to worry about an ingredient in a granola bar at the grocery store. Sorry so long, just wanted you to know if by chance you didn't.

[Changed]

Oh my! Thanks for the info. I love granola bars. You should try the cascadian farms chocolate chip.

[JMarie930]

Originally Posted by Changed

Oh my! Thanks for the info. I love granola bars. You should try the cascadian farms chocolate chip.

Ooooo, yeah! Those are my favorites. Though DS has been known to pilfer them while I'm at work. I found three wrappers in his playroom while helping him clean this weekend.

[sonshine_rae]

Do you know by chance.. if that stuff is in the regular Fiber One cereal? I used to eat that a lot..... but switched to All Bran a while back (which I think is okay?).

And would have no problem.. using fiber one again.. or so I thought?? Is it a health hazard for pregnancy???

I've never tried their granola bars.. rather glad now that I hadn't!

[sonshine_rae]

I forgot to say.... I'm so glad to hear you and baby are okay!

[casemnor]

Holy Moly.....and to think I was happily sipping cafe au lait with my beignets in New Orleans.....and you know what makes New Orleans style coffee so good? Chicory.

[crosscat]

Wow! Scary stuff. I'm glad you're okay, and thanks for the heads up.

[dis]

Not to be annoying, but do you have a source on chicory root being contraindicated in pregnancy? I've never heard that before. Inulin, which is being added to more and more products as both a source of fibre and a prebiotic, is from chicory, and if there's credible evidence that I should be avoiding it I'd like to see it.

[LoveLife]

Originally Posted by dis

Not to be annoying, but do you have a source on chicory root being contraindicated in pregnancy? I've never heard that before. Inulin, which is being added to more and more products as both a source of fibre and a prebiotic, is from chicory, and if there's credible evidence that I should be avoiding it I'd like to see it.

^ Yes- this please! I would love to see any studies/ info that people have regarding this. I've never heard it before. Thanks!

[triple07]

I have not found "studies" about chicory root while pregnant, but after googling it, every source I have found is cited as saying Pregnant women should not take chicory root. It is too strong a diuretic and is commonly used to promote menstrual flow (obviously not good while pregnant). I have also found that since it is such a heavy diuretic, it can cause you to become dehydrated, which in turn can cause contractions. Sooo, no real studies, but LOTS and LOTS of women who would rather avoid than take chances with something that is recommended to avoid, even if there are no studies on it... yet hope that helped...

[kimpo76]

Hmmm...I occasionally have a cup of Pero as a coffee substitute and one of the main ingredients is chicory. Is that the same as chicory root?

[rosehillworks]

Here are some links:
http://www.drugs.com/npp/chicory.html
http://www.womansbirth.com/info2.cfm?info_id=66030
http://www.motherlove.com/faq_herbspregnant.php
http://92024.com/herbsnpregnancy.htm
I am not saying that chicory root in small quantities is bad. I also know that it may not have the same effect on every woman. I know I don't like the effect it had on me when I consumed too much of it in one day. I think that if you are drinking coffee that has chicory in it and it is not bothering you, you are fine. I just want you ladies to know that if you consume chicory and it causes cramps to stay away from it. I don't stay away from everything that someone says is bad during pregnancy but when it causes me to have severe cramping. I heed the warning and stay away from it. Sorry if I scared anyone. I just don't want anyone to experience what I did. I think most things in moderation are ok.