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.