What are your thoughts on Inulin?

QUESTION:

What are your thoughts on Inulin? Many “healthy” recipes that attempt to reduce sweeteners seem to include inulin. My gut is telling me that it is an ultraprocessed ingredient and so no good but as I haven’t worked out yet how to sub it I thought I would ask. When I question it on groups that I am in the answer is that it is good because it also is a probiotic and also makes you feel full.

ANSWER:

My understanding of inulin is that it isn’t a whole food.  It goes through an extraction process to be obtained.  Usually chicory root, and it is soaked in a solvent.  It then goes through a process to isolate the inulin, it is purified then spray dried.  Obviously as we know, not all ingredients are the same.  Some might be processed differently.  

For sensitive individuals it can cause intestinal discomfort, diarrhea and anaphylactic reactions. 

In terms of a replacement I would consider Lucuma powder – it is a dried fruit ground up. Another option is psyllium seed husks (from a fibre perspective).  You may need to experiment though, I am unsure whether it can be replaced directly in recipes.

I personally avoid this ingredient and do not endorse products (ie for TWC) that contain it. Hope that helps!