[Summer123]

Hello everyone,<br><br><br><br>
I've read so much about the benefits of flax seeds and would like to start including it in my diet but don't know how. I know this might sound silly for someone who is probably familiar with it already but for me I really am unsure about it.<br><br><br><br>
I particularly want to use it for the fiber, so in this case how would I use the seeds?<br><br><br><br>
Also, somewhere I read that you can soak flax seeds and then drink them the next morning as a fiber. Is this true?<br><br><br><br>
Thanks,<br><br><br><br>
Summer

 

[4EverGrounded]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Summer123</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Also, somewhere I read that you can soak flax seeds and then drink them the next morning as a fiber. Is this true?</div>
</div>
<br>
AFAIK, yes. But I've only heard of it being used this way as constipation relief, not as morning fiber therapy.<br><br><br><br>
That said, I usually grind a tablespoon or two up in the coffee mill that I use for flax/spices <i>only</i>, and I sprinkle the flax dust on my morning salads, lunchtime smoothies or anything else that will be eaten cold/room temprature. Heating flax will distroy its omega 3 fatty acids and I've found that if I add it to hot foods, it tends to give a slightly slimy texture, too (at least it does for me).<br><br><br><br>
You might already know this, but it's certainly worth repeating to say that you shouldn't use flax as your only source of fiber intake. Flax is meant to be more of a <b>complement</b> to other forms of fiber like beans/legumes, nuts/seeds, fruits and veggies but like I said, you probably already knew that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[teddygee]

I buy flax cereals to get the EFA. There's a very wide variety of them available, so whichever cereal you usually buy, there's probably a brand that carries a flaxified version of it. Every flax cereal I've bought so far is very fiber- and de-licious.

 

[sunshinegal]

I grind mine up in this magic bullet blender thingy that I have. I find the easiest way to incorporate it is to put it into my raisin bran cereal in the morning. I can't taste it at all this way (I always put cinnamon on ym raisin bran too). Also if I have oatmeal I mix it into that too. I love to have oatmeal/soy or rice milk and frozen berries all mixed together. Mix the flaxseeds last and eat up! Flax seeds are a good addition in this if you don't care much for the taste. I use flaxseeds more for the healthy fats and for the fiber, but I definitely do not get enough healthy fats in my diet. This is an easy way to do so. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[SeaSiren]

I use a coffee grinder to grind them up and put them on anything. I also use flax oil in my drinks.

 

[troub]

by the spoonfull!

 

[Summer123]

Thanks eveyone for the ideas on how to use flax seeds.<br><br><br><br>
I have some in my cupboard and I've been wanting to give it a try. But I have to admit, however, that those little brown seeds don't look to appetizing <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">!<br><br><br><br>
Summer

 

[Summer123]

So what do you do, just chew them up or swallow them whole?<br><br>
Do they have a taste or flavor to them?<br><br><br><br>
Sorry for the silly questions but this is all new to me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">.<br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>troub</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
by the spoonfull!</div>
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[jeff_veg]

I would also recommend the coffee grinder route for flax seeds.<br><br><br><br>
First off, a whole flaxseed will pass right through you so you have to break it up somehow. Others may disagree, but I find the flavor of uncooked flax to be a bit nasty on it's own. It's best to grind it and mask it in other foods. You can grind it up in small batches and store in a sealed container in your fridge.<br><br><br><br>
The thought of chewing a mouthful of flax seeds = <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/spew.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":spew:">

 

[Lothar M Kirsch]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jeff_veg</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
...<br><br><br><br>
The thought of chewing a mouthful of flax seeds = <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/spew.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":spew:"></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Don't spoil my lunch - that's what I'm doing right now! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/broccoli.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":bobo:">

 

[butterfly_acid]

I'd say go for the cereals...<br><br><br><br>
also, if you make your own baked goods, 1 tablespoon of ground flax with 2 tbsp of hot hot water = 1 egg, or something like that....so...you can always bake items with flax seed. I notice no difference in flavor.<br><br><br><br>
another idea, but not one I'd recommend, is taking your vitamix and grind up the flax seeds and once powdery, make a nice vegan breakfast shake and blend the shake with the ground flax. the problem with this? drink it fast, before it turns into eggy consistency (yuck!)<br><br><br><br>
ETA: flax seed pasta. it's delicious, and has more benefit as it's been processed so that the omega-3(?) is absorbed by the body more easily. It's tasty, and not a bad pasta blend<br><br><br><br>
^_^<br><br>
other ideas: walking around the health food aisles at the store and look for the word "flax"

 

[Coney]

Yeah, grind up a TBSP and put it into your cereal, or oatmeal (but don't put it in while it's cooking, it gets slimey). I usually make a smoothie with bananas and melons, soymilk, and flax. That way you can drink it pretty quick and you can't really taste it.<br><br><br><br>
(flax is a little bitter tasting sometimes.)

 

[Summer123]

Oh Yeah! This sounds like something that would work. I like oatmeal and homemade smoothies, so this is something that I could go for.<br><br><br><br>
Thanks all.<br><br><br><br>
Summer<br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Coney</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Yeah, grind up a TBSP and put it into your cereal, or oatmeal (but don't put it in while it's cooking, it gets slimey). I usually make a smoothie with bananas and melons, soymilk, and flax. That way you can drink it pretty quick and you can't really taste it.<br><br><br><br>
(flax is a little bitter tasting sometimes.)</div>
</div>
<br>

 

[Keelin]

I always toss a tbsp (ground) into my smoothies for a little nutritional boost... it's especially easy to disguise in smoothies with more texture- raspberry, strawberry, etc.