The 5 Best Substitutes for Psyllium Husk

If you want to add more fiber to your diet, psyllium husk is one of the best ways.

However, it can have an off-putting taste.

Psyllium husks are used in cooking to expand with liquid and absorb water.

This process turns gluten-free flours into “sticky dough”.

The dough can then be rolled out, baked, and cut into shapes.

Psyllium husk is not everyone’s cup of tea (or coffee, for that matter).

People don’t like the taste. This article will examine five alternatives.

What is Psyllium Husk?

First of all, what is psyllium husk? Psyllium husk (also known as ispaghol) is the outer coating of the seeds of a plant called Plantago ovata.

It can also be referred to as an ‘Oat Bran Fiber Supplement’ or a ‘Bulk-forming Dietary Fiber’.

The word “Psyllium” is derived from the Greek word “psulla”, which means flea because psyllium husk resembles a flea.

Psyllium Husk can also be referred to as Isabgol in Indian English.

It is widely cultivated in India and Iran used for culinary purposes.

Traditionally, it has been used in Indian cuisine to thicken sauces.

It is also known for its health benefits.

Psyllium husk has over 90% dietary fiber by mass – it is grown to be rich in fiber content, so much so that it can be consumed daily to help with regularity and weight loss because of the high amount of fiber it contains.

Psyllium husk may also be referred to as seed husks since these are ‘husks’ of Psyllium seeds.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Psyllium Husk

If you’re looking to add fiber into your diet but don’t like the taste of psyllium husk, there are plenty of other alternatives available.

Below you can find 5 of the best substitutes for psyllium husk that are very similar in taste and effectiveness.

1 – Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are also known as linseeds.

They are so valuable because they contain high levels of dietary fiber.

The seeds are brown or golden, have a nutty taste, and can be consumed raw, whole, or ground up.

However, the downside to flax seed powder is that it is a very messy ingredient to use.

In addition, this seed tastes great when cooked with egg dishes and oatmeal.

If you’re looking for an all-natural supplement, flaxseed powder may be your best option.

2 – Chia Seeds

Like flax seeds, chia seeds are very popular in the health industry.

Chia means strength in the Mayan language, which is why so many athletes choose this seed.

They are so powerful because they have a vast amount of soluble fiber – when combined with liquid, it thickens up rather quickly.

Chia seeds also have a wide range of benefits – to name a few, they can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol levels.

In addition, the seeds are gluten-free.

Chia seeds look like poppy seeds – therefore, they can be added to salads or fruit smoothies to enhance their flavors.

In terms of taste, they are bland.

3 – Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a common alternative as well.

It’s derived from the Xanthomonas campestris bacterium, which sweetens food.

In addition, it can also be used as a thickening agent in various recipes.

This ingredient is great because you only need a small amount to make a big impact on your dishes.

Xanthan gum may be rather hard to find at your local grocery store.

However, it is available in most health food stores and online.

In addition, this ingredient helps thicken up ice creams, dressings, sauces, and soups.

In terms of taste, it has a sweet taste with a hint of tang.

4 – Cornstarch

A common ingredient found in almost every kitchen is cornstarch.

It is a great substitute for psyllium husk because it can thicken up various liquids and sauces, such as gravies and stews.

In addition, this ingredient can also help create a crispy coating when frying chicken or meatballs.

The taste of cornstarch is very bland.

It’s often used in Asian-inspired dishes because of its ability to thicken up at high heat.

If you’re looking for an alternative that tastes good, then this ingredient might be your best bet.

5 – Almond Flour

Another good alternative is almond flour.

It’s extremely high in fiber, making it suitable to help with weight loss and regularity.

Almond flour can be made at home using raw almonds – however, it may be cheaper to purchase the ingredient instead.

It has a rather nutty taste blended into various dishes such as smoothies.

In addition, almond flour can bake yummy treats such as cookies and muffins.

Almond flour has one downside, though – it can get rather expensive if you’re not careful when purchasing.

In terms of taste, this ingredient is tolerable.

Because it doesn’t have a strong flavor, it can mix well with other ingredients.

Conclusion

Psyllium husk is a very useful ingredient to have at home.

However, many alternatives may be just as useful.

If you’re looking for an all-natural supplement with no chemicals or preservatives, then flax seed powder, chia seeds, and almond flour are probably your best options.

If you want something that’s blendable, convenient, and easy to find, then cornstarch or xanthan gum are your best choices.