The benefits of flaxseed, using ground flaxseed.

The benefits of flaxseed are so numerous, it is really an amazing little seed. Flaxseed contains so much Fiber, just two tablespoons of flaxseed meal delivers 4 grams of fiber, that's as much fiber as 1-1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal! So with so much fiber it could lower harmful LDL cholesterol.

And your digestive system will improve, you will become more regular, and consistent when it comes to eliminating waste.

Flaxseed has lignans which are natural antioxidants. The lignans bind with substances that might promote cell growth. Flaxseed has at least seventy-five times more than any other. To get the lignans you get in 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal, you would have to eat up to 30 cups of broccoli.

Flaxseed has Alpha-linolenic Acid, this is the plant version of omega-3s, the oil in flaxseed is about 50% alpha-linolenic acid. While Canola and walnut oils, the next highest sources, have only about 10%. And most foods have far less.

Adding Flaxseed to your diet can be very easy and you will notice results rather quickly.

 The best way to add flaxseed is to use ground flaxseed.  Now you can buy whole flaxseed and grind it yourself. But that means grinding it when you use it every time, which is time consuming. Or you could use whole ground flaxseed meal.

One of my favorites is Bobs Red Mill, Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal. It is ground flaxseed and nothing else so that step is eliminated from your food preparation.  I usually buy it and put it in a plastic container with a lid and keep it in the fridge, as the labeling suggests keeping it frozen or in the fridge for longer shelf life.

Some suggestions for using Flaxseed meal or ground flaxseed in your food.

• put a tablespoon in a smoothie.
• put a tablespoon in your oatmeal.
• put a tablespoon on your cold cereal.
• put a tablespoon in your pancake batter.
• put a tablespoon in your muffin mix.
• and so on....... adding flaxseed to just about anything can be beneficial.

So what are the results you will see if you begin to incorporate ground flaxseed in your diet? You may ask.

Well first of all you may realize that you feel full longer. And that you may not have to eat as much to feel full.  That's all that fiber.

And of course if you are eating less and less often, you may start to see a weight loss.

You'll start to see a regularity in your bowel movements, for lack of a better word. You'll go easier and your digestive system will feel like it works better.

One suggestion on the packaging suggests that you can use flaxseed meal as an egg substitute for most recipes.  For one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl and let sit for two minutes. Then Add to a recipe as you would an egg.

 Ground flaxseed has a light nutty taste that tastes pretty good.  If you are not used to using it you will definitely have a little adjusting to do. But once you are used to it, it will hardly be noticeable in most foods you add it to.

If you especially add it to foods like muffins that contain nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, etc, you probably will not detect the taste at all.

If you feel it is too over powering at first you can always use only half a tablespoon till you get used to the taste.

Try some of this ground flaxseed in your foods, it happens to be relatively inexpensive and goes a long way.

Then leave me a comment, let me know what you think of it and what benefits you see after using it for a few weeks. I had that full feeling after using it in a small bowl of cereal after the first time I used it. I didn't feel hungry again by the time lunch time rolled around I wasn't even hungry. I ended up just drinking some water, and eating about two or three bites of a sandwich. That's it. I usually would eat a whole sandwich and chips to boot.