According to this abstract scientists now feel that the lignans in flaxseeds may provide protection against hormonal cancers (breast, prostate, endometrial) as well as skin cancer and diabetes. The recommended dosage is 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. We have been adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to our breakfast (either on top of cooked oatmeal or in our smoothies) for about a year. When the flaxseed is well ground you don’t really know it is there. It is also good sprinkled on a salad if you prefer.
I have mentioned before that Costco is now carrying milled organic flaxseed (pictured above) for a really good price. It is $7.99 for two pounds at our local store. I find this flax to be a little more “chunky” than I prefer. To rectify this I place it in a coffee grinder before sprinkling it on our morning oatmeal. However, the texture is great for making flax crackers, which I do all the time now. Once I have opened a bag I keep it in my freezer so it won’t spoil as quickly.
I am going to run and catch up on my “health” reading. If I see anything else worth sharing, I will be back with another quick post.
We go through a ton of flax, and I too store it in the freezer.But our costco doesn't carry this, at least not yet. I'll keep asking them and maybe they'll start;)
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can order it from Costco.com, it is worth a look. Our Costco has only had it for about a month. So yours may get it soon.
Alicia
You are a wealth of knowledge today! I have an entire lb. of golden flaxseeds unmilled in my freezer, due to laziness and a lack of uses. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteBrandi,
ReplyDeleteI have a few quick ideas for using ground flax:
1) flaxcrackers, which we eat often
2) in smoothies
3) sprinkled on oatmeal or any cereal
4) sprinkled on salad
If you need more ideas let me know. I tend to use it as a garnish on many dishes. But we always have a tablespoon every morning in our smoothie or on our oatmeal.
I hope that helped,
Alicia
Hi Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI have to related comments for you--
Do you have any info on chia seeds? I know they have some similar benefits to flax, and I tend to buy them because I don't have a grinder (and I think they may be significantly cheaper)...
Which leads to the second comment...I've heard that ground flaxseeds quickly loose a lot of their goodness, so they should be ground just before using. Does your research back this up?
Thanks, as always for the good info!
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read flax contains much higher levels of lignans than chia. Also, here in the US flaxseed is 1/4 the price of chia. They have similar omega 3/omega 6 ratios.
I read in one book that flax should be consumed within 20 minutes of grinding. I have not seen it anywhere else so I don't know if that is science based or not. I buy two forms of flax, whole and milled. I tend to use the milled for flax crackers and the whole for our daily smoothies. No idea how that started.
I will try to do a little research on flax and how quickly it deteriorates. If I see something definitive I will let you know.
Alicia