Fiber + Water= weight gain?

I just increased my fiber and water (both significantly) and have gained like four pounds this week.  I realize this is just a temporary thing (maybe retention).  When does it go away? 

well first of all , how much are you consuming of each? Remember that eating too much fiber can cause not only water retention but also problems in your digestive track. If you eat too much fiber, since it so soluble and allows the food to be digested faster, you're not letting the body absorb all the nutrients it needs, thus in the end its actually doing more damage than anything else. Also instead of going to the bathroom more often, you get a bit stuck ;) You should consume fiber depending on your age...like for example, Im 18 well I add 5 to that, and that's the amount of grams I should have of fiber ...you'd do the same with your age...add 5 grams to your age and thats the amount you should eat daily. ( for adults its 20-35 grams of fiber daily, no more no less)

Same thing with water..if you drink too much water, you'll end up retaining it...specialy if you consume too much salt. 2 liters of water is what the body needs (12 glasses of water I believe)

 in the end, anything in excess is bad for you, so be careful

 hope this helps!

I'm eating about 20 grams of fiber (i'm 30) and drinking about 6-8 8oz glasses of water...but before I was only eating about 8 grams of fiber and drinking (gulp) NO pure water a day.  I know, I know... really unhealthy.

oh haha well congrats on chosing to be healthier ;)

then I believe you're doing just fine :) I bet you're body's just not used to the amount of fiber you're having, same with the water...in about a week or so water retentions should go down...same thing happened to me, and it doesnt last very long (unless you're near your period, which causes bloating which will make the scale go up) watch out for the salt though...try to control the amount you consume...it also causes water retention almost always actually...if you are barely eating salt, like me (I have a salt substitute and chose foods with no salt added so I can control the amount I have) then its just a matter of wait and patience. It will go down surely!

  Groovy Girl        ;  It is usually recommended by the medical community that an adult female eat an average of 25-30 g of fiber daily, so you're in good shape really..  As pointed out, you may just be retaining some fluid.  How are your fingers?  that is the first place I notice water retention.  Also if you've been working out more than you were, you may be trading muscle for fat and that will keep the scale from moving.  How are your clothes fitting?  How is your energy level?

Bananee    What type of slt substitute do you use?

i had this problem when i took phyisilm husks. i genrally eat healthily and drink loads water, but took the supplement as everyone on here said increase fibre, I felt bloated and sore and my weigh went up a fw ponds. Trouble was i was so bloated i could excerise. Fibre supplements definately did not work for me. I do however eat Bran Flake or other good ceral every morning, and loads of fruit juice and veggies, so i should get enough fibre that way.

id say stop taking the fibre just eat healthily

maureengulizia -

I bought this salt that has 0 sodium in it. It's not as "salty" as normal salt, but it does salt alright. I believe they sell it at most supermarkets...look for them, they tend to be near the area where splenda and all those other sugar substitutes are...if not ask around, im sure they sell some over where you live.

Those salt substitutes are potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride...so similar enough in structure (same group in the periodic table) that they can mimic each other.  That said...my dad's nutritionist warned him against them since he is a heart patient...the potassium overload can be as detrimental to a cardiac patient as the sodium.  That said, if you are relatively healthy, that shouldn't be a factor.

Water does not make anyone GAIN weight.

Fiber does not make anyone GAIN weight.

Eating 3500 calories more than your body uses makes you GAIN one pound.

If you weigh more, it's because your body is just getting used to some changes, your hormones may be involved, and you are just experiencing what is probably normal, weight fluctuations from water retention.  But you are not "gaining weight" in the sense that you are putting on fat ... this is just temporary ... it will pass.

=^..^= MOLLY

In my experience fiber supplements are a waste of time and harmful at that. Fiber from actual food works to move the food out of your body quicker so it doesn't sit there and turn to lard. It's pretty awesome, eat high fiber foods and you have an edge on weight control.

 Beans. Anything with beans, like soup etc., natural whole grain bread (not the stuff with synthetic fiber added) with at least 3 grams of fiber per slice,  raw veggies; baby carrots w/ peanut butter,  brown rice.  The closer the food is to the way God made it, the more fiber it will have.