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Flax Seed

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Flax SeedFlax seed is one of the tiniest super foods on the planet!  It’s so 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 flax seed? 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 stores bulk section.  Flax seed 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.

This picture is ground flax seed. Flax seed is super good for you!  For such a tiny seed it is packed full of many nutrients. Flax seed may reduce your risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. So here is a little information I have gathered on what flax seed is and how you can incorporate it into your diet. Oh and don’t forget to check back here tomorrow. I have an amazing dessert recipe using flax seed.

What is flax seed? Flax seeds come from the seed of the flax plant. In order to get nutrients from flax seed 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 flax seed.
What are the health benefits? Flax seed is packed with protein and is good for our heart, immune system and digestion.  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.
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 flax seed 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, breads etc..
  • Sprinkle it on foods such as yogurt, or cottage cheese.
  • Add a little to a smoothie
Where can I find it? You can find it either as whole seeds or ground flax seeds at grocery stores or health food stores. I buy mine at WinCo in their bulk food section. You can usually find it in the baking aisle. Store ground flax seed in the refrigerator.
Sources: About.com, Web MD, and Food Network Magazine p. 56(Jan. ’12)

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