If you use flax seed...

[Tricia O]

What all do you do with flax seed? And do you grind it or not? Thanks!

[Rebecca in PA]

:hi: Tricia,

I buy whole flax seeds and grind them as I go. My understanding (though this may be incorrect) is:

1. That the nutritional properties are much more easily absorbed and digested when the flax is ground.

2. The fresher ground it is, the better. Now maybe I am mixing that up with my grain grinding :unsure: , but that's what I do.

You can add ground flax seed to just about anything: cereal, oatmeal, mix it in with breads, cookies and muffins, sprinkle it in/on just about everything from salads to cooked vegetables. I try to sneak it in anywhere I can, but I don't think my guys would eat it if it was visible.

HTH!

[stacy z]

i keep whole flax seeds in the freezer for freshness and grind them just before using. your body cannot digest the whole seed so you really do need to grind them.

if you are adding them to your diet for the first time, do it gradually. do not over do it as it can have an extreme effect on your digestive tract and send you running to the bathroom. :blush:

i have gotten out of the habit of using it...thanks for the reminder! :)

[Edwena]

Just wanted to say what the other ladies said is right on. Must grind and only grind right before using.

[Diane E.]

yup, great stuff! So very healthy, hope you enjoy it too!

[Barb Cash]

If you put them in a smoothie, you don't need to grind first. Just dump them in and blend well. The blending breaks them up! :)

[Jo in PRC]

I use flax seed meal (yes, pre-ground). I just keep it in the freezer and toss in a couple of tablespoons whenever I make...well, almost anything...meatloaf, bread, muffins, pancakes, smoothies, lasagne...:lol: If I had to grind it each time, I probably wouldn't bother. So I figure it may be less effective but we're getting a lot more of it so in the end hopefully it all balances out.

[Kendra AU]

Same here, we dump it into baked goods.. I also use it when I make granola.. and we use Flax Seed Oil. I simply use the oil in place of what I may use veggie or canola oil for. Now my dh informs his Mum he doesn't need to eat fish because he gets his omega's from eating fresh bread! :roflol:

Kendra

[Tami in FL]

What do you use to grind your flaxseed?

[Rebecca in PA]

What do you use to grind your flaxseed?

I bought a really inexpensive coffee grinder. You can use your blender as well, but I hated washing the whole blender for the little bit of flax seeds at the bottom.

[Tami in FL]

Thanks, I was thinking about that.