How to eat flax seed

Flax seeds can be enjoyed in several different ways; whole, grounded into semi-large pieces, grounded into a fine flax seed meal, and last but not least, as flax seed oil.

How to eat flax seed: whole flax seeds

Whole flax seeds are a great way of adding more fibers to your diet. The American Dietetic Association recommends a minimum of 25 g of fibers a day for a healthy adult on a 2000 kcal/day diet, but most of us eat considerably less than this. Dietary fibers are indigestible compounds found in plants. They will move through the digestive system, and even though they cannot absorbed by the body, they are highly beneficial for us and help to keep us healthy. Flax seed contains lignans, which are a type of insoluble fiber. Other great sources of this type of fiber are plums, green beans, whole wheat and potato skins.

How to eat flax seed: harshly ground flax seeds

To get the most out of flax seeds, it is recommended to eat not only whole flax. The outer shell of the flax seed is really hard and durable, and the human digestive tract is unable to penetrate it. This means that when you eat whole flax seeds without chewing them properly, they will come out in the same form as they came in. So, how to eat flax seed if you want to enjoy the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and the proteins found inside the shell? The answer is simple: break the shells before you eat the flax seeds. You can either chew the seeds very thoroughly, or use a coffee grinder to ground the seeds prior to use. There are also many companies who sell ground flax seeds, but keep in mind that without their protective shells flax seeds rapidly lose their nutritional value. If you want to buy ground flax seeds, you should therefore buy only small quantities to avoid having to store them for any longer periods of time. It is also important to choose a reputable manufacturer; otherwise the ground flax seeds may have been improperly stored before they reached the store.

How to eat flax seed: fine flax seed meal

Flax seed meal is a great addition to muffins, cookies, bread etcetera. If you do not know how to eat flax seed, this is a very easy way of gradually introducing more and more flax seeds to your diet. Simply add some flax seed meal to your favorite recipes and wait for the delicious result. There is also an abundance of flax seed meal recipes to be found online for anyone who has questions about how to eat flax seed. Keep in mind that flax seed meal should not be stored for any longer periods of time, since it has no protective husks.

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A guide on how to eat flax seeds