# How can to much shredded wheat be bad for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 19, 2001, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131 "2001-11-19T02:00:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ressl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Ressl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ressl)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/1 "2001-11-19T02:00:40Z")
My friend told me other day that to much shredded wheat would be bad for you because the excess fiber would start to rip up your stomach. Is this true? And even so, wouldn’t it end up taking 2 boxes a day for a week for something bad to happen? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/2 "2001-11-19T02:33:02Z")
It doesn’t “rip up your stomach” as such, but unfortunately it is possible to get an intestinal blockage from eating too much fiber. These websites have guidelines for how much fiber a person should be eating. [http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/foods/nf62.HTM](http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/foods/nf62.HTM) > [@](#): > > Placing too much emphasis on one type of fiber or fiber-rich food is risky. Achieving balance in eating dietary sources of fiber is a key concept. Excessive intakes of insoluble fibers such as wheat bran to the exclusion of soluble fibers will result in a bulky diet but the benefits of the soluble fiber will be lost. Furthermore, excessive fiber intake without adequate fluid intake can result in abdominal pain and discomfort. > > \ > > Drink plenty of fluids. Six to eight glasses a day will help reduce the risk of abdominal discomfort and intestinal blockage caused by too much fiber. [http://www.everythingaboutfood.com/fiber\_how\_much\_1129.htm](http://www.everythingaboutfood.com/fiber_how_much_1129.htm) > [@](#): > > An excessive amount of dietary fiber can interfere with body’s absorption of calcium, zinc and iron. In addition, huge amounts of fiber can cause intestinal blockage. Drink plenty of water when eating foods high in fiber to help minimize irritation and blockage. You can do a Google search for “intestinal blockage fiber” and find out more than you ever wanted to know about plugged-up intestinal tracts. [http://www.google.com](http://www.google.com) ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/3 "2001-11-19T02:38:14Z")
too much fibre basically means you aint gonna get enough nutrients cos everything gets forced through too quick. ---
**Author:** ![st1d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@st1d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/st1d)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/4 "2001-11-19T03:54:43Z")
Eat too much of it, and your legs go numb and fall off from sitting on the toilet… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/5 "2001-11-19T04:26:39Z")
:eek: Good to know. I’ve been on a Shredded Wheat jag lately. No intestinal problems yet! ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/6 "2001-11-19T05:25:23Z")
Oh goodie I’ll be the first one to hijack this thread 🙂 So you know how people use the laxatives to lose weight. Could you do this with shredded wheat? Yeah I know that is really bad for you. Just want to know though. I love wheat thins and shredded wheat. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/7 "2001-11-19T07:49:16Z")
it’s best to eat fibre foods before a main meal, not after. eg have an apple/orange before a meal. this because it clears you digestive system nicely, but if you just eaten it clears the food you just ate too! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/8 "2001-11-19T23:02:59Z")
> [@](#): > > If you had too much water it would be bad for you, wouldn’t it? “Too much” precisely means that quantity which is excessive, that’s what it means. > Could you ever say “too much water is good for you”? I mean if it’s too much it’s too much. Too much of anything is too much. Obviously. Jesus. From [‘Doctor Tobacco’](http://www.geocities.com/mmemym/bits1/fal0019.htm) by Fry and Laurie ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/9 "2001-11-20T17:46:47Z")
Actually, shredded wheat is a mediocre source of fiber. Strawberries are actually better. My favorite: Fiber One! Either that or Colon Blow. Here’s a list of fiber content. [fiber content of foods](http://www.wehealnewyork.org/healthinfo/dietaryfiber/fibercontentchart.html) BTW, as an intern, I got to assist in the surgery of a guy who ate so much sauerkraut it caused a small bowel obstruction. When that section of the bowel was opened, I could whiff it thru the mask! I’ve been unable to eat sauerkraut since. QtM ---
**Author:** ![christophermcne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@christophermcne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/christophermcne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/10 "2011-03-14T15:02:59Z")
I foolishly ate a copious amount of Shredded Wheat last week. I’ve been clogged up for days. Too much fiber all at once when you’re used to a very little is not a good idea. If you’re going to start eating this, I would recommend doing so very slowly and with small portions, and drink plenty of liquids. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/11 "2011-03-14T15:11:00Z")
Even Zombies should increase their fiber intake gradually and make sure they’re drinking lots of extra water. People often forget the extra water part, but fiber sucks up water, and if you’re not drinking extra, you basically end up with gobs of glue in you. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/12 "2011-03-14T15:22:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > BTW, as an intern, I got to assist in the surgery of a guy who ate so much sauerkraut it caused a small bowel obstruction. When that section of the bowel was opened, I could whiff it thru the mask! I’ve been unable to eat sauerkraut since. > > QtM Your anecdotes never fail to tickle my funny bone. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/13 "2011-03-14T15:23:39Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > BTW, as an intern, I got to assist in the surgery of a guy who ate so much sauerkraut it caused a small bowel obstruction. When that section of the bowel was opened, I could whiff it thru the mask! I’ve been unable to eat sauerkraut since. > > QtM in the years since you posted this have you been able to eat it again? ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/14 "2011-03-14T16:17:22Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > in the years since you posted this have you been able to eat it again? I just paged **Dr. Qadgop** to come answer this question. Hopefully he will respond STAT. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/15 "2011-03-14T16:21:32Z")
I can eat the red cabbage variety, as that wasn’t what was in the intestine. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/16 "2011-03-14T16:21:49Z")
I am reminded of this brief verse about the Russian famine: On Nevsky bridge a Russian stood Chewing his beard for lack of food. Said he, “It’s tough this stuff to eat, But it’s a darn sight better than Shredded Wheat!” ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/17 "2011-03-14T16:25:37Z")
Sure too much could be bad for you. Suppose a shipping pallet of shredded wheat fell on your head, for example? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-to-much-shredded-wheat-be-bad-for-you/94131/18 "2011-03-14T17:04:09Z")
[The Master Speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/678/is-it-possible-to-have-too-much-dietary-fiber)