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The deal with flax seed IS the fat - it's a source of Omega - 3 fatty acids, which don't come in low-fat varieties ;) Fat isn't bad, it just needs to be consumed in moderation, and some fats are better than others. I think the daily recommended intake for flax seeds is in the tablespoons, so it could easily be incorporated into just about any diet.

I imagine it's probably cheaper to buy online, but you can get it in supermarkets - I bought some at Fry's. Whole Foods and places like that sometimes have it in their bulk bins, so you could get just a little to try.

You only get the health benefits if you digest the seed, and unless you crush them (either in a blender or with your teeth), they'll pass through undigested (there isn't really a difference between "edible flax seed" and "actual seeds like you would plant" except that food-grade seeds would have to meet food standards in terms of contaminants and manufacture). I think most people spin them in a coffee grinder/spice mill/blender or buy flax meal (just the seeds, pre-ground) to ensure that they really do crack that outer coat - it's hard to chew them enough to be sure.

Flax seed gets mucilaginous when ground and exposed to liquid, which can be off-putting. I don't notice it if I just sprinkle it on food, and you can actually take advantage of that property and use flax and water as an egg substitute.

I don't really eat it as a supplement - I bought it for a bread recipe. But I do throw a tablespoon or so on cottage cheese or in applesauce, and I enjoy the taste.

Before I bought it on-line, I would try a small quantity from a better grocery store to make sure you like it.  As krklaf says, you need to grind it up, and it needs to be ground up not too long before you eat it.  I think it also needs to be stored in the fridge, because it can get rancid.

If you are looking for extra fiber and essential fatty acids, another choice is chia seeds (yes, the same seeds that used to be sprouted on clay figurines).  It doesn't need to be ground, and can be added to cereal, or cottage cheese.  1 tablespoon has about 4 grams of fiber, and it also has essential fatty acids.  I think it has about 67 calories/tablespoon.  I eat it most days at breakfast, and I find that it does help keep me satisfied until lunchtime (I don't usually have an opportunity for a mid-morning snack).  It doesn't need to be stored in the fridge, and is cheaper on-linie, but you could buy some at a better grocery store  if you want to try it out.

you don't need a lower calorie flax seed, as you need so little of it. 5g is plenty- i think sometimes i only use 2g. i like the texture on salads, and a little goes a long way. its also good added to breakfast cereals, or topped over cream cheese.

don't worry about the calories, you wont use enough for it to blow your daily allowance, as the above posters have pointed out- the health benefits outway the calories.

sorry i can't help about where to buy it .... i live in the UK, so no help there.

Enjoy

I saw the Chia seed. I don't have a grinder so I need to buy something pre ground. Did you experience any type of stomach upset or anything else you want to warn me about? I have a very sensitive stomach.

Also, could you please tell me what department of the grocery store you find it in? I don't have a whole foods but I've heard that Publix carries it probably pre bagged.

Original Post by monkfish998:

you don't need a lower calorie flax seed, as you need so little of it. 5g is plenty- i think sometimes i only use 2g. i like the texture on salads, and a little goes a long way. its also good added to breakfast cereals, or topped over cream cheese.

don't worry about the calories, you wont use enough for it to blow your daily allowance, as the above posters have pointed out- the health benefits outway the calories.

sorry i can't help about where to buy it .... i live in the UK, so no help there.

Enjoy

 That sounds wonderful & thanks. But for the record I wasn't concerned with the cal's just the fat, but I get that it's a healthy fat and I'm fine with it. I just don't know what I'm looking for and would love to hear about some of the success and/or failure youve had with it.

Thanks!! :)

Original Post by odie03:

I saw the Chia seed. I don't have a grinder so I need to buy something pre ground. Did you experience any type of stomach upset or anything else you want to warn me about? I have a very sensitive stomach.

Also, could you please tell me what department of the grocery store you find it in? I don't have a whole foods but I've heard that Publix carries it probably pre bagged.

 

 

 

I didn't experience any gastrointestinal issues with flax seed, although I understand you can if you eat large amounts. A few Tbs a day didn't give me trouble.

I found the flax seeds in the section of Fry's that carries most of the organic pre-packaged foods and things like Clif bars - maybe it's called the "Natural Foods" section? It was next to the soy flour/other non-wheat flours. I know of at least one Publix that has a similar section, but I don't live near there anymore, so I couldn't tell you for sure that it would be there.

Original Post by odie03:

I saw the Chia seed. I don't have a grinder so I need to buy something pre ground. Did you experience any type of stomach upset or anything else you want to warn me about? I have a very sensitive stomach.

Also, could you please tell me what department of the grocery store you find it in? I don't have a whole foods but I've heard that Publix carries it probably pre bagged.

 

 

 

You won't need to grind the Chia seed, if you choose that option.  I found it in the "bulk" section in small jars.  It is pretty pricey if you buy it at the grocery (about $30/pound, but you'll only need a half ounce a day), and much cheaper on-line (about $12/pound).  Obviously, in the US, I don't know about England.

I had no trouble digesting it, but I am notoriously cast-iron stomached.  What you do need to do is be sure to drink plenty of water, because it swells up, and that is part of what helps keep you from getting hungry as soon.

Is this what I am looking for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FitFlax-Golden-Roasted-Fl ax-Seed-w-Chia-weight-loss_W0QQitemZ260397738 081QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash =item3ca0ea2861&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I just bought a bag of flax meal in my local IGA for $4.99 fills up my canister and lasts quite a while I take one tablespoon a day in my oatmeal. It tastes ok too. I don't think you need to buy any special kind of brand which looks like it costs more. Anyway I am in Canada if you are in US it might be a different product type and more difficult to get. Good Luck.

I like buying from www.hodgsonmill.com

The two kinds of flax seed I use are:

1) Hodgson Mill Milled Flax Seed -- I use this is baking, such as in my Trail Mix Cakes. I buy this at our local grocery store.

2) Spring Valley Cold-Milled Organic Ground Flax Seed -- I put this on my cabbage salads and on my beans, etc.  I do not use it for baking.  I buy this at Super Walmart.

I keep all my flax seed in the freezer once I open the containers.

Get "Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal

it's the best! it's not low-fat. you don't really want to get a low-fat version. sort of defeats the purpose. all those omega-3 fats in it are so good for you. good for your skin, your digestion, and your metabolism! flaxseed promotes weight loss actually. and it's delicious. 

Original Post by erialc57:

Get "Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal

 

it's the best! it's not low-fat. you don't really want to get a low-fat version. sort of defeats the purpose. all those omega-3 fats in it are so good for you. good for your skin, your digestion, and your metabolism! flaxseed promotes weight loss actually. and it's delicious. 

 That's actually exactly what I bought today. I had a huge spoon in a bowl of chili tonight, didn't even know it was there. I'm very excited about giving it a try. I thought I'd start with 1 tblsp and work my way up to 2. Do you store yours in the fridge? I thought it was fairly inexpensive too compared to what I had looked at online.

Thanks everyone!!!

i know trader joe's has it- in more than 1 form too

PLEASE HELP!!!

Hey, sorry to keep bringing this topic up but I thought maybe some of you that use flax seed could help me with this. So they say it doesn't last long or keep well. How long is not long and when do I know to throw it away? Will it smell or dry out? Mine has been in the fridge for two weeks and still taste great.

I keep mine in the fridge and it keeps until it's gone, couple of months.

If you're really concerned you could store it in the freezer.

I'm not sure how I'd tell if it went bad, hahaha.

I use Bob's too. :) I throw some in with my raspberries and yogurt. YUM.

I think it goes rancid, so it would probably smell funny.

I keep mine in a glass jar in the fridge, and keep using it till it's gone (months).  I've never had a problem.

I've not tried flax seeds but have been eating toasted caraway, cumin, fennel, mustard and ajwain seeds and find it very tasty and satisfying.  There are a lot of good things in these seeds according to the research I've done.

I just toasted them all up and mixed them together and eat a small bit at a time at work and find it very satisfying.

Do those seeds have much nutritional value?  I always think of spices as having neglible nutrients, but I haven't researched it at all.

Flax seeds don't have much taste but they are packed with Omega 3's.

Yea I guess:

Anyway, they taste good.

• Low in saturated fat
• No cholesterol
• Very low in sodium
• Very low in sugar
• Very high in calcium
• Very high in dietary fiber
• Very high in iron
• High in manganese
• High in magnesium
• High in phosphorus
• High in potassium
• High in vitamin C
• High in zinc

• Low in saturated fat
• No cholesterol
• Low in sodium
• Low in sugar
• Very high in calcium
• High in dietary fiber
• Very high in iron
• Very high in manganese
• Very high in magnesium
• High in phosphorus
• High in potassium
• High in thiamin

• Very low in saturated fat
• No cholesterol
• Low in sodium
• No sugar
• Very high in calcium
• Very high in dietary fiber
• Very high in iron
• Very high in manganese
• Very high in magnesium
• High in phosphorus
• High in potassium