Love to be in the Kitchen

Flax Seed

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Flaxseed is one of the tiniest superfoods on the planet!  It’s packed full of vitamins and has so many health benefits.  It’s an easy way to add more nutrients to your diet.

Have you ever heard of flaxseed? I had no idea what it was until I started becoming more interested in cooking a few years back and would see it in different recipes. I didn’t know where to find it until I discovered it in my grocery store’s bulk section.  Flaxseed may be sold whole or ground up but it needs to be ground up in order for your body to get the nutrients from it.

Flaxseed is full of nutrition. Flaxseed may reduce your risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. So here is a little information I have gathered on what flaxseed is and how you can incorporate it into your diet.

BUT FIRST, check out my favorite recipe using flaxseed!

SOFT AND CHEWY OATMEAL FLAX CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

What is flaxseed?

Flaxseeds come from the seed of the flax plant. In order to get nutrients from flaxseed, it needs to be ground up. Flax seeds are very low in carbohydrates and high in nutrition. It is easy to add a little to your food to reap the benefits of flaxseed.

What are the health benefits?

Flaxseed is packed with protein and is good for our heart, immune system, and digestion.  It may improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It is also high in omega 3, fiber, and lignans.
Omega-3- “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
Fiber- Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber which is great for your digestive system.
Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75-800 times more lignans than other plant foods.

How can I use it?

Ground flaxseed can be added to just about anything. Note if you include a lot of it in your diet be sure to drink a lot of water since it’s so high in fiber. Here are some suggestions on how to include it in your diet:
  • Add it to baked goods such as cookies, muffins, waffles, bread, or other batters.
  • Sprinkle it on foods such as hot or cold cereal, yogurt, or cottage cheese.
  • Mix a little into a smoothie
  • Add to water as an egg substitute.

Where can I find it?

You can find it either as whole seeds or ground flax seeds at grocery stores or health food stores. If your grocery store has a bulk section you can usually find it there. They also sell it in the baking aisle, such as the one by Bob’s Red Mill in my above picture. Store ground flaxseed in the refrigerator.
Sources: About.com, Web MD, and Food Network Magazine p. 56(Jan. ’12)

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