Flax Seed..Can someone help me???

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
Hey guys!!

Recently I have started experimenting with supplementation. I am concerned with raising my HDL and getting more "essential oils". I know salmon is a good source and I purchased flax seeds to add to my smoothies.

Well, then I did a search on this forum and apparantly everybody says you can't take flax seeds whole because you don't get the Omega 3 benefit.

I searched on the internet and they said that purchasing flax seeds ground already is not good, as it loses all its benefits, like, within 30 min. of grinding.

Then I looked at the flax seed oil in the jar, but some other web site said to make sure it was "cold pressed" or "hot pressed" under so many degrees or else it would be worthless, and went on and on as far as the other critical "criteria" when picking a flax oil.

I am REALLY confused and just want to supplement in my diet and my husbands, a little more Omega 3's for heart disease prevention and all the other good benefits. Can someone clarify what is the right stuff to get to really be getting the "good" stuff...I am ready to give up!!!!


Also, what is the difference between flax oil and just buying a bottle of "Omega 3's" or "Essential Oils"?? I saw the other night on a local channel here, (PBS) a show about Healthy Aging that said flax oil was not as good as Omega 3 oil....what about this??? Any advice here would be appreciated......

Janice
 
Hi there,

I actually ground flax seeds myself and it is so easy. I purchased an electric coffee grinder for about $10.00 and it grounds flax seeds in seconds.

There are so many benefits to flax seed. One thing is the good fats that you get plus all the fiber that you get out of it. It also helps curb my appetite for sweets and it also keeps me full. It has help clear up my skin and my hair grows so fast and it is no longer dry. There are also many other benefits for taking ground flax seed. No it doesn't contain all the essential fatty acids, but I just take evening primrose oil. It isn't recommended to buy flax seeds already ground because it can go rancid. But as I said grinding them yourself takes no time at all. If you take the flax seed plus evening primrose oil or borage oil, you would be getting all the necessary fats that you need. I hope I answered some of your questions. Buying flax oil is beneficial but you don't get the fiber plus it doesn't fill you up as much. Plus it tastes terrible. Ground flax seed almost has a sweet, nutty taste to it. Good Luck!
 
I have been using 1 T. of ground flax seed twice daily for about 3 months. I put some in my oatmeal in the morning, and I make Keta's Flax Seed Muffins every week. My hair grows like crazy, plus I think it makes me look a little younger, softens my skin. I like the taste of the flax seeds better than the oil.
Lori S.
 
Hi there ...

What Christine said. Get a grinder and grind your own.

I do the liquid gels. Mainly because since starting marital arts, it's been extremely hard to cook let along grind and plan my flaxseed use.

Flax is part of a healthy diet. I can understand all about the confusing contradictory information. But there is a simple rule that will never ever steer your wrong ... The closer to natural, the better it will always be.

The seeds do need to be ground in order for the body to absorb all the nutrients. Unground flax will pass right through the digestive tract. Kind of like corn.

Flax is good for the body, the skin and the hair. I credit flax with my skin tone.

Oh and those flaxseed muffins are just AWESOME! I love it when healthy tastes better than junk.

Just my thoughts.

Keta. :D

[link:home.attbi.com/~marwrihu/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html|Home Page]

[link:mykbtfit.net/|KBT Forum]
 
I sprinkle it on my bowl of cereal in the morning, then pour the (soy) milk to moisten it. It's great. It's one of the most important supplements I use.
I use a blender to grind it, I grind about 1/4 cup at a time, storing the extra in the freezer until I use it.
 
I grind my flaxseed in a coffee grinder and sprinkle it on salads, cereal, and even in yogurt. It tastes like walnuts to me.
 
Ok, I get the grinding part.....I will do that. BUT what I read on the internet is that you must comsume the ground flax so many minutes after eating it or it goes rancid and loses all the Omega 3 benefits. This is what is concerning me since I drink the protein shakes with my flax at work, and I really don't want to bring a grinder to work, but will if I have to.... Anybody to elaborate on this???

Also, Keta, what is the recipe for your muffins if you don't mind?? I would love to make those for my husband!!!!
 
You can grind a couple of days worth of flax seed, but you have to keep it in the refrigerator. I just grind as I want, but many grind 3 days worth and keep it in the fridge. It will be safe that way.
 
Ah yes ... my flaxseed muffin recipe. Now this is for Texas style muffins. You can easily get 24 muffins out of this. Plus, it's very versitile. You can put all kinds of things in there.

Keta. :D

Flaxseed Muffins

Serves: 12

1 1/2 Cups All-purpose Flour
3/4 Cup Flax Seed
1 1/2 Cups Fiber One® Cereal, ground to make 3/4 cup
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Carrots
1 Cup Applesauce
1 Cup Mini-chocolate Chips
3/4 Cup Skim Milk
2 Large Eggs, beaten
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Cup Walnuts, chopped

1. Mix dry ingredients. Add carrots, applesauce, chips, and nuts. Pour in liquid ingredients. Do Not Overmix!

2. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

These make huge muffins. This batch will make 24 regular size muffins or 12 Texas sized muffins.

Here's the nutritional breakdown . . . here's where you'll see about the fiber and protein powerhouse part comes in.

Nutrtional Analysis:

Calories: 338
% cals from fat: 36%

Fat grams: 15
Saturated fat grams: 3
Monounsaturated fat grams: 4
Polyunsaturated fat grams: 6

Fiber grams: 8 ----- that's 32%

Protein grams: 9

Cholestrol: 10%
Sodium: 17%
Potassium: 12%
Calcium: 14%
Iron: 22%
Zinc: 13%
Vit C: 7%
Vit A: 88%
Vit B6: 16%
Vit B12: 8%
Vit B1: 19%
Riboflavin: 18%
Folacin: 22%
Niacin: 13%

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1/2 Veggie, 1/2 Fruit, Fat 2 1/2, Other Carb 1 1/2

THIS IS THE BEST PART OF ALL!

It tastes so good. My teenagers will eat it with no problems at all!

Tastes good, good for you, fiber and protein rich, good for you fat rich, no meat alternative, and just an awesome breakfast or snack.

Enjoy!

[link:home.attbi.com/~marwrihu/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html|Home Page]

[link:mykbtfit.net/|KBT Forum]
 
Keta...

Thanks so much!! Yet another recipe I will be waiting to make!! Except, have you ever used whole wheat flour?? Or is that kinda like too much of a good think, taste yucky??
 
In this recipe, I've used WW flour, soy flour, quinoa flour, I've used so many different flours it isn't even funny and I've never ruined the recipe. It is truly versitile.

Give it a try.

Keta. :D

[link:home.attbi.com/~marwrihu/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html|Home Page]

[link:mykbtfit.net/|KBT Forum]
 
I buy flax seeds at Whole Foods (dirt cheap) and I just grind them in a blender - works great for me. I keep it in a little Tupperware in the fridge and it seems to stay fresh for several days. It doesn't taste bad at all - kind of nutty and sweet. Try it!
 
Try going to the Barleans website: www.barleans.com One of my clients is into whole foods and healthy eating and she says Barleans is one of the best sources of flax and other products. Their website is very informative with articles on the benefits of different supplements. Also, if you have questions (especially the one pertaining to shelf life of ground flax), you can email customer service and they will answer your question in a timely manner. Hope this helps! In fact, reading this post has reminded me that I need to get back to adding flax to my diet. I have been buying the oil but would not always be consistent in using it and then would have to throw away most of it after 3 months. My skin is suffering from lack of essential oils so I need to get back in the habit.
 
Ally,
When you buy the flaxseed at Whole Foods how long does it last for? How much is one supposed to take per day and do you immediately put it in the fridge when you get home. I bought some kind of flaxseed from there that was in a plastic container that you were supposed to mix with liquid and drink it was awful, I had to throw it away.
 
It lasts forever in the freezer. Buy whole seeds. Grind a quarter cup at a time. Put the ground stuff back in the freezer and eat 1-2 tablespoons a day.
 
Keta -

I just wanted to let you know I saw your recipe and was inspired
to try it right away - I made it today and it was absolutely
wonderful! Next time I may substitute some dried fruit for the
chocolate chips - the chocolate was great but I am trying to get
the calorie count down a little so I can consume more!

How do the muffins freeze - or do you ever have any leftovers?!

Thanks for the great recipe!

Rhonda
 
Hi Rhonda!

They are awesome, aren't they. I rarely have too many leftovers. Heck, I give those little bad buggers away as gifts and people just love them. So, I'm not sure how they freeze. I haven't tried to freeze them. They last pretty long. I usually put them in the frig and they keep for a couple of weeks easy.

I'm glad that you enjoyed them. Substitute away, this recipe is kind of hard to screw up. That is unless you put hot peppers or something in there. But you can healthy them up so bad and no one will notice. I usually substitute quite a bit and I haven't made a bum batch yet.

Enjoy!

Keta. :D

[link:home.attbi.com/~marwrihu/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html|Home Page]

[link:mykbtfit.net/|KBT Forum]
 
Thanks everyone. I think I almost have it down!!

Keta, I THINK I remember reading something as well that said you can't cook with flax oil..that, again, it loses its benefits. Does this apply with seeds or am I just crazy?? Oh, and I am making your muffins this weekend!!
 
GREAT CEREAL WITH FLAXSEED & SOY

I found this great cereal at Whole Foods; It's by a company called Zoe and it's called Flax/Soy with cranberries and currants (raisins). It's so tasty you could just eat it by itself, that takes care of my flaxseed requirements.
 
Flax oil

I too have heard that you can't cook with flax oil. I thought it was because it would burn, smoke, get sticky in the pan, but maybe it also destroys the oils.

So, I guess maybe cooking with the ground seeds in the muffin degrades them, maybe not.

Safest thing to do, as a supplement I guess, is to eat the raw seeds ground up on your cold foods, store in the freezer. But, I think the Nutrition Angels could make an exception for Keta's muffins.

I just never turn on the oven in the summer, but I'll sure make them in October.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top