Yesterday, after many years of either holding my nose while drinking it or disguising the taste of my Metamucil, I decided it was time for a change.

Yes, the Metamucil I had relied upon to keep me regular for so many years was replaced by its No. 1 competitor, Benefiber. To be more precise, Costco’s equivalent of Benefiber, Optifiber, five dollars cheaper, and it comes with a two-teaspoon scoop.

With my first scoop of Optifiber, I was amazed to discover that the claims Benefiber made in its advertising appeared to be true. There was no bulking up of the liquid in my cup. No grittiness on my palate. No telltale orange color. And no change of taste; my orange juice tasted like orange juice.

I am now asking myself why it took me so long to switch. Most likely it was because one of those Benefiber TV ads kept playing in my head last week. The other reason is that Novartis, the company that produces Benefiber, has only been around since 1996. The efficacy of this new product remains to be seen. If I get the daily bulk I am looking for, I will sing my praises for this relatively new product.

I am looking forward to dissolving my Optifiber in water, juices, soups, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, tea, and oatmeal. What about cooking it with my eggs, mixing it with my tuna salad, adding it to my spaghetti?

What is the difference between Metamucil and Benefiber? Metamucil is made from the husks and seeds of the psyllium plant. Benefiber is made from wheat dextrin, which is fiber extracted from wheat starch. Both are made from soluble fibers, which move through your digestive tract, absorb water, and expand.

Consequently, your stools are bigger and softer, and it is easier for your intestinal muscle lining to contract, and move the stools easily.

Yes, the joys of being older include the excitement of a new and more pleasant tool for regularity. That’s just fine with me. My Optifiber is like a new toy. I will play with it. I will hopefully enjoy it – until a new fiber toy comes along. What new fiber toy? How about a once-a-month pill that produces the same effect? I think I would name that miracle pill PILLIFIBER.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen51@gmail.com