Flax Seed

RoboLikes
RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
I've been hearing all the positives of adding flax seed into my diet. Any tips on how? I've never really used it before and I don't bake all too often for myself. I basically stick to yogurt, protein shakes, salads, chicken, fruit, veggies, hummus, dip, etc.

Any tips on how to add it in? Also, what is the taste/ consistency like?

Thanks!
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Replies

  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    I would love some tips on this as well. I've had cereal that had flax seed added as well as granola with it added and I've always really enjoyed it. I'd be curious to try adding it to other foods.

    Also can anyone post the health benefits and any possible drawbacks?
  • sullivann
    sullivann Posts: 199 Member
    I've heard it's good in smoothies, but I could be wrong. :P
  • Mom2twins121408
    Mom2twins121408 Posts: 5
    I add a tablespoon of flaxseed to my smoothies every morning. My favorite right now os half cup skim milk, quarter of an apple, 5 strawberries, and a half scoop protein powder. It's yummy and keeps me full and full of energy for quite a while.
  • Mom2twins121408
    Mom2twins121408 Posts: 5
    I also have added it to muffin mixes before. You can add it to anything. My cousin adds it to soup.
  • BigMike915
    BigMike915 Posts: 112 Member
    I've been hearing all the positives of adding flax seed into my diet. Any tips on how? I've never really used it before and I don't bake all too often for myself. I basically stick to yogurt, protein shakes, salads, chicken, fruit, veggies, hummus, dip, etc.

    Any tips on how to add it in? Also, what is the taste/ consistency like?

    Thanks!
    [/quote

    You can add them to all the foods you listed. They really don't have much taste, to me, so they do not make things taste different. I pour them on most the stuff I eat.]
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    I mix it half&half with oatmeal-- e.g., 2 tbs dry ground flax seed, 2 tbs dry oatmeal. Add water, microwave and enjoy!

    We also add it to ALL of our baked goods-- 4 tbsp per cup of flour.
  • hoffman1990
    hoffman1990 Posts: 24 Member
    I use it in smoothies, in cooked oatmeal, in muffins, sprinkled on top of salad and when I bake breads and cookies.
  • angisnee
    angisnee Posts: 236 Member
    My new favorite thing to add it to is meatloaf. I use chopped oatmeal instead of bread crumbs and add at least 2 T of flaxseed. Can't even tell it's there!

    I also got a recipe from the recipe section here that I make almost daily, and you can do so many things with it. 2-minute microwave mug bread. You can use 2 T whole wheat flour, 2 T flaxseed or just use all 4 T flaxseed, but be careful if you're not used to that much fiber at once!

    2-minute microwave mug bread:

    4 T flaxseed
    1 egg
    1/4 C canned pumpkin or sugar-free applesauce
    1/4 t cinnamon
    1/8 t nutmeg
    1/8 t baking powder

    Mix all the ingredients, pour into a Pam-sprayed mug or bowl and microwave for 1:45 to 2 minutes. When I have the calories/fat left, I top with margarine and a little cinnamon/sugar.

    ETA: You can put a little sweetener in there, but I think it tastes great without it. :)
  • amh1974
    amh1974 Posts: 79 Member
    I like it in smoothies- especially ones with peanut butter. It gives a crunchy texture to things and is really good for your hair. I add it to yogurt too. I like the taste and texture of it.... my hair doesn't look bad either!

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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • jillucidi
    jillucidi Posts: 11
    1 pc of whole wheat toast with light cream cheese.

    i put my flax , chia, and sunflower seeds on THAT! SUPER good!!

    hope you like it ):
  • maryj2367
    maryj2367 Posts: 219 Member
    I take flaxseed capsules everyday, I have been for a couple years now my optometrist said its good for the eyes and heart to.
  • elliemaemollyann
    elliemaemollyann Posts: 6
    I put Flax Seed in my salads, soups, I had a bowl of cooked spinach tonight and added a tablespoon to my spinach. It really doesn't taste bad. It's a little crunchy.. I even put it in one of my smooties. Good Luck!
  • getfitnfab
    getfitnfab Posts: 418 Member
    No expert here

    Love flax seeds

    Was told to eat them grounded, for better digestion, lot of times whole flax passes thru without being digested

    Once ground keep in the fridge

    I like it with plain yoghurt
    Give it to my kids with oatmeal
  • campbellj
    campbellj Posts: 7 Member
    Go to Target and get the Archer Farms blue corn and flaxseed tortilla chips. That way, you can get the flaxseed you want and its in something that tastes good and familiar.

    Watch your portions though. 10 Chips is 123 calories.

    Good luck!
  • RoboLikes
    RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
    Awesome! Thanks for all the great options!
  • dlaplume2
    dlaplume2 Posts: 1,658 Member
    You could add it to your smoothies. I add mine to my oatmeal. The thing you want to make sure is that you use ground flaxseed. If you buy whole flaxseed you can grind it fresh yourself, I use gound flaxseed meal and store it in my freezer once I open it. The thing with whole, is your body can't break down the outer shell, so it will pass though your system without all the benefits of the omega 3 and fiber.


    Enjoy

    Ps. I also add it to my greek yogurt. It gives it some texture and a nutty flavor.
  • Lisa__Michelle
    Lisa__Michelle Posts: 845 Member
    You have to grind them using a blender to get the benefits. I eat a tablespoon every morning in my oatmeal. You can also add it to your yogurt, shakes, etc. I also learned that you DO NOT HEAT THEM. So if you cook them in oatmeal, add it when it is done.
  • erinkelly2
    erinkelly2 Posts: 43 Member
    I add a tsp and a halfto greek yogert and it makes for a pretty filling bfast
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,689 Member
    Smoothies, cereal, baked goods. If you don't like the crunch, try ground flax seed. Also, it's a good idea to keep them in the freeser or at least the fridge because the fatty acids in them are unstable and go rancid quickly. Also, you can use chia seeds in all the same things for similar health benefits plus antioxidants.
  • farmgirlsuz
    farmgirlsuz Posts: 351 Member
    I take flaxseed capsules everyday, I have been for a couple years now my optometrist said its good for the eyes and heart to.

    My gynecologist told me to take flaxseed capsules for night sweats caused by menopause. Haven't had a night sweat since!
  • Rocking_Robin
    Rocking_Robin Posts: 238 Member
    Bump, thank for the post!
  • AmyEm3
    AmyEm3 Posts: 784 Member
    You have to grind them using a blender to get the benefits. I eat a tablespoon every morning in my oatmeal. You can also add it to your yogurt, shakes, etc. I also learned that you DO NOT HEAT THEM. So if you cook them in oatmeal, add it when it is done.

    Why shouldn't you heat it?
  • amyhollar
    amyhollar Posts: 107 Member
    No expert here

    Love flax seeds

    Was told to eat them grounded, for better digestion, lot of times whole flax passes thru without being digested

    Once ground keep in the fridge

    I like it with plain yoghurt
    Give it to my kids with oatmeal

    This is good information. To get the health benefits of flax (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) you MUST grind it first (you can use a clean coffee grinder). If grinding them doesn't appeal to you, look into chia seeds. Essentially the same health benefits and you do NOT have to grind chia seeds to absorb the good stuff from them. I get them for 7.99 a lb at Whole Foods in the bulk bins, or you can order them from chiaseedsdirect.com or many other places (amazon, etc).

    Flax also turns rancid very quickly so you should keep whole flax seeds and especially ground flax sealed tight in the fridge!

    And a side note: I bought ground flaxseed once, and even though I kept it in the fridge, it went bad pretty quickly. I'd suggest buying whole seeds, keeping them in the fridge, and grinding in small batches as needed.
  • deblc6836
    deblc6836 Posts: 59
    You have to grind them using a blender to get the benefits. I eat a tablespoon every morning in my oatmeal. You can also add it to your yogurt, shakes, etc. I also learned that you DO NOT HEAT THEM. So if you cook them in oatmeal, add it when it is done.

    Why shouldn't you heat it?
  • deblc6836
    deblc6836 Posts: 59
    Heating would alter the beneficial Omega-3's. This is also why raw nuts are better for you than roasted nuts.
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    Word of advice. Our bodies can't really digest whole flaxseeds and they'll just "come out in the end." To get maximum benefit you should use flaxseed meal (found in refrigerated section of health food stores). You can stir it into oatmeal, etc. Or you can take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil and just gulp it down. Not the yummiest but not horrible either.
  • Quiing
    Quiing Posts: 261 Member
    I like buying whole flax seed. I put the amount I'm going to use in a coffee grinder to make sure I get the omega-3s and the fiber. I like putting it in my protein shakes and in my salads.
  • mallred76
    mallred76 Posts: 50 Member
    You can sprinkle it over salad, in wraps, in smoothies or in protein shakes. I make flax seed chips in my dehydrator. I also use flaxseed oil as my salad dressing.
  • DianaJaneD
    DianaJaneD Posts: 157 Member
    I use Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal and add it to yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, on top of salads, in smoothies or on veggies. I like the nutty texture and flavor.
  • HealthyAcademic
    HealthyAcademic Posts: 85 Member

    Was told to eat them grounded, for better digestion, lot of times whole flax passes thru without being digested

    Once ground keep in the fridge

    Same.

    I use ground flax as an egg replacement in baking. Use it in my homemade energy bites. Sprinkled on salad and in smoothies.
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