Appetite suppression and weight management achieved through pre-meal ingestion of temporary gastric bulking agents in the form of superabsorbent polymer hydrogels (SAPHs) selected from among a group consisting of crosslinked polycarboxylic acid moieties is described. The preferred compositions and manufacturing methods of ultrapure preparations of ingestible forms as well as the preferred methods of use, dosage and administration distribution and delivery of SAPH materials are also described.