What to do with Flax seed

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watch48win
watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I bought some flax seed (whole), because they are supposed to be good for you.

Now, what do I do with them? Any Idea out there?

Replies

  • watch48win
    watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
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    I bought some flax seed (whole), because they are supposed to be good for you.

    Now, what do I do with them? Any Idea out there?
  • bonkers5975
    bonkers5975 Posts: 1,015 Member
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    Flax seed is awesome. I put it in breakfast smoothies, in everything I bake (it has no taste) and sprinkle it on salads. If you don't like the little seedy things, it also comes ground. It's also great in oatmeal or cream of wheat, or sprinkled on your cold cereal.
  • watch48win
    watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
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    I see that it is rather I in calories, but that is for 3 tablespoons...that seems to be alot. I was thinking more like 1 teaspoon sprinkled on salads, and what not.
  • icandoit
    icandoit Posts: 4,163 Member
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    I get mine milled. Do you have a coffee grinder?? It is great with whole wheat pasta.
    Grill some chicken, onions peppers and take a can of diced tomatoes with olive oil and garlic and pour it over your pasta and then sprinkle about 1/4 cup for 4 servings and toss. It is wonderful
    I also use it in smoothies
    Top off my oatmeal with it
    on my salads.
    It is wonderful
  • Helawat
    Helawat Posts: 605 Member
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    Some MFP members use ground and others use whole flaxseed. I found an article that compares the two and gives you some ideas what to do with it.

    Answer

    Most nutrition experts recommend ground flaxseed because your body is better able to digest it. Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestine undigested, which means you won't get the health benefits of flaxseed.

    Flaxseed is high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and phytochemicals called lignans. Flaxseed can help reduce total blood cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels — and, as a result, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Flaxseed oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids, but it doesn't have the beneficial fiber that the seeds have.

    You can purchase raw flaxseed in bulk — whole or ground — at many grocery stores and health food stores. Whole seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder and then stored in an airtight container for several months. Refrigerating whole seeds may also extend their freshness.

    Although the Institute of Medicine has not set a recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids, it has established adequate intake amounts of between 1.1 and 1.6 grams a day for adults. One tablespoon of ground flaxseed provides 1.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Tips for including flaxseed in your diet:

    * Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your hot or cold breakfast cereal.
    * Add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to mayonnaise or mustard when making a sandwich.
    * Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into an 8-ounce container of yogurt.
    * Bake ground flaxseed into cookies, muffins, breads and other baked goods

    You can also use flaxseed in place of eggs in muffins, pancakes and cookies. To substitute flaxseed for one large egg in a recipe, use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed plus 3 tablespoons water. Keep in mind that it will somewhat alter the texture of the finished product, making it slightly "gummy."


    Source:
    Mayoclinic
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/AN01258
  • watch48win
    watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
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    thanks for the tips! And Yes, I do have coffee grinder that I don't us much for grinding coffee, so I will put it to use grinding flax seed :flowerforyou:
  • auntkaren
    auntkaren Posts: 1,490 Member
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    That's one of the things I love about this site, It's educational.:happy:
  • jenbar
    jenbar Posts: 1,038 Member
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    I have it milled too. Dash O'Flax. I put it in my yogurt, on my cottage cheese, use it as topping for fish, sprinkle it on my cereal. It's actually kind of yummy.
  • kukla622
    kukla622 Posts: 6
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    Just wondering what is the difference between "ground flax seed" and "Flax seed oil". I use 2 tblsns in my smoothie every morning, which equals 220 calories. I think it is way too much.
  • auntkaren
    auntkaren Posts: 1,490 Member
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    Just wondering what is the difference between "ground flax seed" and "Flax seed oil". I use 2 tblsns in my smoothie every morning, which equals 220 calories. I think it is way too much.


    Had no idea it would be that high in calories:noway:
  • watch48win
    watch48win Posts: 1,668 Member
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    I have no idea at all. Oil just gives me the impression that it going to be high in fat.

    I gound up 1 Tbl this morning and added it to my oatmeal which went into 2 servings, 1 for me and one from daughter....she didn't even know it was in there or she probably would not have eaten in :laugh:

    I have been reading up on flax seed, and I'm glad I bought it. From what I have been reading, it really is good for you.
  • lovesdaisies
    lovesdaisies Posts: 66
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    You can also grind them in your blender. Dr. Oz was on Oprah awhile back and Oprah said that she eats her Flax Seeds whole - always has. He said that our teeth aren't able to chew them sufficiently enough to break the hard outer shell. When you eat the seeds whole you're not getting all of the nutrition that you should from them.

    So - because I believe everything I see on Oprah :wink: - I ground mine up.

    I must admit, I like the taste both ways, but they're a lot more convenient WHOLE to sprinkle on salads and stuff. Ground, I mix a teaspoon full in my oatmeal, sometimes add them to my smoothies.

    Hope this helps.

    Lisa
    (http://localinsocal.blogspot.com)
  • MalibuBarbiDoll
    MalibuBarbiDoll Posts: 10
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    Yay! I love flax and this gives me a bunch of new ideas on how to use it. Thank you all!!!
  • abbychelle07
    abbychelle07 Posts: 656 Member
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    I read that you should eat flax seed as a whole seed AND ground. Whole helps.... ummm....keep things passing through, but you absorb the nutritional goodness better if it is ground.

    I have a bread maker, and I replace 1/2 cup of the flour with ground flaxseed in any recipe, plus add a Tbsp of whole flaxseed.

    You can add ground flaxseed or oil to any sauce. Just stir the oil into food right before you eat it. It is an unstable oil that shouldn't be heated. I am hoping to stir flaxseed stuff into my daughter's food. She won't even know it is there!

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